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By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, Aug 1: The Bukit Siol nature reserve here which is currently in the midst of being gazetted, will be planted with indigenous tree species such as Belian and Nyatoh.
Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the identified area under Kuching North City Comission (DBKU) jurisdiction, spans about 108 acres.
“The tree planting efforts would be managed by Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) in collaboration with Forest Department of Sarawak (FDS), where we will plant all the indigenous tree species in a strategic area.
“A landscape expert would be appointed to design the area,” he said at a press conference when officiating at the 35th anniversary of Kuching City Day held at Kuching Waterfront here today.
Abang Johari further said once the Bukit Siol area has been gazetted as a nature reserve, it would become a recreational area that is surrounded by nature and protected similar to Hyde Park in London.
Other nature reserves in Sarawak included Sama Jaya Nature Reserve in Stutong under Kuching South City Council (MBKS) jurisdiction area, Bukit Lima Nature Reserve in Sibu, Piasau Nature Reserve in Miri and Bukit Sembiling Nature Reserve in Limbang.
“Thus, all the big cities in Sarawak would have nature reserves for the city folk and we would preserve the nature of each city.
“Additionally, the surrounding developments would be monitored by State Planning Authority (SPA) so that there are not many skyscrapers and each building’s height would be limited,” he added.
Abang Johari’s wife, Puan Sri Juma’ani Tuanku Bujang; Deputy Premier and Minister for Public Health, Housing, and Local Government Sarawak, Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian; Deputy Minister of Utility and Telecommunication Sarawak, Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi; Kuching North City Commission (DBKU) mayor, Datu Junaidi Reduan; and Kuching South City Council (MBKS) mayor, Dato Wee Hong Seng were among those present at the event. — DayakDaily
