 |
| Let's go kayaking |
KUCHING: The Malaysian Nature Society Kuching Branch (MNSKB) is pleased to announce that it will be organising its signature nature event, the Santubong Nature Festival, for the second time this November.
Scheduled to be held at Permai Rainforest Resort in Santubong on 8thand 9th November, the event is open to the public.
The festival is hosted by the Permai Rainforest Resort and supported by Kuching City North Hall (DBKU) and the Sarawak Museum Department.
To kick start the event, DBKU Datuk Bandar Datuk Abang Wahap Abang Julai is expected to officiate at the festival’s soft launching at Taman Budaya (Reservoir Park) on 25 June at 4.00 pm
The Santubong Nature Festival (SNF) aims at highlighting the rich heritage of the entire Santubong peninsula, from its visually stunning appearance, to its rare clouded leopards and hornbills that call it home, right down to the dolphins that swim its shores.
It also advocates for a holistic and integrated approach to development and management of the area safeguarding its unique landscape, biodiversity and historical assets; and showcases the tourism and recreational potential of the Santubong Peninsula.
Following last year’s festival success, the two-day event will continue to highlight Santubong peninsula’s natural, historical and cultural heritage.
 |
| Learn about geology of Santubong |
The organisers have lined up exciting activities such as multi-sport treasure hunt, guided heritage, geology and nature walks, tree planting, guided boat cruises and beach clean-up activity will be held between now and festival day.
A series of talks on geology, archaeology, dolphins and biodiversity of Santubong will also be held in the city and Permai Rainforest Resort.
MNSKB has been carrying out many activities, particularly bird-watching, in the Santubong peninsula for many years since it was set up in 1996. These regular bird-watching activities eventually resulted in Bako Buntal Bay, that forms part of the Santubong peninsula, being inscribed on the East Asian - Australasian Flyway Site Network (EAAF) last year. Bako-Buntal Bay is the first flyway network site established in Malaysia and one of the world’s Important Bird Areas.
In 2002, MNSKB held a major clean-up in Mount Santubong from the foothills to the peak and volunteers collected 1.2 tonnes of rubbish.
MNSKB, as a local environmental NGO, is very concerned with the overall development and well-being of Santubong peninsula. It recognises the need to develop the area but that development should be well-planned so that development would not degrade the iconic mountain.
Land clearing for housing, tall buildings and a proposed cable car to the peak of the mountain could alter the landscape and scar Santubong’s aesthetic visual value if not properly planned.
Development taking place without sensitivity to historical and archaeological considerations would also produce many irreversible problems.
It is hoped that the Santubong Nature Festival will help to address these through greater public awareness and eventually advocate for a holistic, sustainable and integrated approach to development and management of the area.
For more information and updates on the festival, visitwww.facebook.com/SantubongNatureFestival,http://santubongnaturefestival.blogspot.com/ or email tomnskuching@gmail.com.
ABOUT MNS
The Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) is the oldest environmental NGO in Malaysia. Its mission aims at promoting the study, appreciation, conservation and protection of Malaysia’s natural heritage. It was formed in 1940. MNS Kuching Branch or MNSKB was set up in 1996.
ABOUT PERMAI RAINFOREST RESORT
Operating since 1990, Permai Rainforest Resort is an eco-resort set in pristine Borneo rainforest located on the shores of the South China Sea, and at the foot of mystical Mount Santubong. Carefully designed to minimise impact on the natural environment, it offers a unique rainforest experience. The resort is only 25 km or 30 minutes drive north of Kuching, the capital of Sarawak.
Press release prepared by MNSKB
No comments:
Post a Comment