Exploit waterways for ecotourism: BEBC
Published on: Friday, December 14, 2018
Kota Kinabalu: The BIMP-Eaga Business Council (BEBC) Malaysia hopes to work closely with the State government to transform waterways, rivers as well as coastline into an eco-tourism niche market.BEBC Malaysia Chairman, Datuk Roselan Johar Mohamad, said the intrinsic values of Sabah's rivers and waterways as well as coastline had always been overlooked."The BEBC intends to glorify these values by proposing the concept of high visibility.
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"Our rivers and waterway must be visited to be noticed, and ought to be developed to attract attention," he said.Roselan pitched the business proposals during a meeting with the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) Sabah Director, Datuk Ir Haji Yahiya Awang Kahar at Wisma Pertanian.He said BEBC was seeking assistance from the DID to identify locations along waterways in the State that possess touristic valuesOnce identified, Roselan said BEBC can get its investors to set up log cabins equipped with modern facilities and cater for the discerning visitors.
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"Our waterways is an ecological niche and it has to be developed that way. A high degree of pampering services are required to lure the monied tourists," he said."Building the 'flying fox' and 'zip-line' to criss-cross our rivers would be interesting while canopy walking is also another venture worthwhile to be considered," he said.
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Roselan said another niche eco-tourism product that can be done in rivers, particularly those with gentle and slow flowing current along non-populated routes, was the Floating Chalet of the luxurious kinds."The tranquillity and ambience will give a tired mind a complete rest and recuperation," he said.He said that since the unique tagal system has been a huge success in preserving the riverine ecology, BEBC hoped it can be further expanded apart from the normal fish-rearing business.Roselan said BEBC opined that riverine cruises and homestay programmes on water ought to be introduced and expanded in Sabah."This feels very exotic and given the wide internet access, it is only a matter of time that it will become popular. "We are hoping that rivers can be another highway where loading and discharging ramps can be built, thus giving more business and employment opportunities to the riverine dwellers," he said.Roselan said it must be noted that a gentle flowing river can be hazardous during the monsoon seasons especially in desilted river where sedimentation at the river mouth blocked water flow into the ocean. As river mouths are often sandy in nature, he said partners of BEBC were offering desilting service and collection of sand for exports. "Of course this would be done in accordance to the State's regulations including royalty payment, which is another source of income for the government," he said.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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