TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 2001

State aid for Gayana Resort's ecology library

By Arman Gunsika

KOTA KINABALU - Assistant Minister of Tourism Development, Environment, Science and Technology, Datuk Karim Bujang said the State government will assist Gayana Resort's plan to build a tropical marine ecology library in terms of expertise.

He said the government hopes that the presence of such a library would help attract more foreign leisure and research tourists into Sabah. Tourists come into the state not only for leisure but also to do studies, he said.

Gayana Resort owner Ambrose Lee said its management plans to set up a tropical ecology library to attract more foreign researchers. It is part of the attempt to educate and instill awareness among the younger generation on the importance of marine protection.

He said the library estimated to cost a few million ringgit could also help boost eco-tourism especially in Sabah. It also aimed to educate and convince the people that there is a future in our coral reefs and they must be cared for and protected.

Ambrose announced this when welcoming divers and Sabah Nature Club members from various schools participating in the resort's Eco Resort Marine Ecology Research Centre's (MERC) adopt-a-coral programme.

Forty-five local and foreign divers together with 75 Sabah Nature's Club members participated in the inaugural in conjunction with the Earth Day.

Ambrose noted that 90 per cent of the State's coral reefs are facing danger of extinction by destructive methods of fishing and course siltation.

'The marine eco-system is the basic foundation of our existence in terms of our marine and aqua resources. Destroying it means destroying ourselves," he said.

Sabah is blessed with ideal weather and protection from hazardous industrial activities and natural disaster. The eco-system does respond to tender loving care, he said.

Sabah Tourism Promotion Corporation chairman Tengku Fadlin praised the resort's effort and said it is an example or harmony in the nature development.

"This is a centre of excellence for marine ecology research and we hope it will emulate the success of the Danum Research Centre," he said.

 

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