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Wednesday, January
15, 2003
Sarawak devising policy to protect eco-tourism industry KUCHING: The state Tourism Ministry is formulating a development and conservation policy for the eco-tourism industry to ensure its sustainability, said its Minister Datuk Abang Johari Tun Openg. He said the exercise was part of a review of the state's second tourism master plan. “The review will be completed by end of this year,” he said yesterday at the launch of an international conference on bio-tourism to be held here on May 28 and 29. The event themed “The Treasures of Sarawak Rainforest” is jointly organised by the ministry, Universiti Technology Mara, Sarawak and Invention and Design Association of Sarawak. Topics to be discussed include the management and conservation of the bio-tourism industry as well as research and development of biotechnology. Johari said the eco-tourism assets, which were the state’s niche tourism products, should not be over commercialised. He said the eco-tourism seminar held here last year had recommended that the Industry be based on community-based programmes. The inputs from the seminar would be considered by the ministry in drawing up the framework for the management and conservation of the eco-tourism industry. “The development of the eco-tourism and bio-tourism industry would bring economic benefits to the people,” he said. He said it was vital to educate the people on the importance of preserving the environment.
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