The Sarawak government will take a leaf out of the maintenance of Hyde Park in London to preserve a 108-hectare site at Bukit Siol in Petra Jaya, which will be gazetted as a nature reserve.
Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said it was proposed that the area be planted with local tree species such as belian and nyatoh (hardwoods) as well as various types of flowers to ensure that green spaces in the city centre are preserved and turned into a recreational area.
We have identified the entire area under Kuching North City Hall, between the library and the boulevard area in Bukit Siol which will be gazetted as a nature reserve,” he said after attending the 35th anniversary celebration of Kuching City today.
According to him, the process of gazetting the area is still underway and the Sarawak Forestry Corporation, in collaboration with the Sarawak Forest Department, will regulate the activities there.
“A landscape expert will design the area. The surrounding development will be supervised by the State Planning Authority to ensure there are not too many tall buildings and limit the height of new buildings,” he added.
Source: BERNAMA News Agency