By Robert Kenneth
KUCHING, Jan 4 (Bernama) — Bau, a district in the Kuching Division which was once known for its gold mining activities has discovered a new form of ‘gold’ which has the potential to become a vibrant tourist attraction.
Several projects have been planned over the next 10 years for Bau which is located about 40 km from here under the “Greater Bau” initiatives, which are much awaited by residents of the district.
Bau Gold Mine Museum and Park and Tasik Biru Resort City are among the interesting tourism infrastructure projects proposed.
The proposed Bau Gold Mine Museum and Park will act as a catalyst to transform the district into a holistic gold heritage town in Sarawak and reboot the entire tourism mechanism of Bau by strategically capitalising its adventure-nature-agro-cultural tourism components.
The construction of the first phase of Tasik Biru Resort City which will commence soon will comprise a hotel with floating chalets and restaurant, chairlifts as well as promenade around the lake and parks for the public to complement the museum.
The project will definitely offer a variety of unique holiday experiences and attract more tourists as well create more job opportunities.
Tasik Biru State assemblyman Henry Harry Jinep told Bernama the proposed Bau Gold Mine Museum and Park will become a new tourist attraction in the district.
Henry said a consultant firm has been appointed to carry out a study to formalise the master plan with Bau gold mining history as the context of development and the natural and cultural heritage as the engaging components.
“Bau Gold Mine Museum and Park will be the core project in the proposed Tasik Biru tourism hub with the tourism vitality sprawling to adjacent towns. The project will increase investments, crystalise the value chain of tourism, create employment opportunities and diversify economic activities in the district,” he said.
Henry said the Greater Bau initiatives as unveiled by the State Chief Minister Abang Johari Openg on Dec 31, last year, was not only meant for the Tasik Biru state constituency, but rather the whole area of Bau.
He said the Greater Bau plan will cover stretches from Kampung Lidah Tanah (in Batu Kitang state constituency); Serikin, Jagoi and Singai (in Tasik Biru state constituency); as well as Siniawan, Tondong, Buso, Krokong, Pangkalan Tebang and Gumbang (in Serembu state constituency).
“We need to decentralise. That is why we call it the Greater Bau. The development is not only concentrated in the Bau town itself so that all the people of different races and ethnic groups in the district including Bidayuh, Chinese, and Malay could enjoy it,” said Henry.
Henry said Bau and Siniawan were bustling towns in the past but Bau which has 200 years of gold mining history that started in the 1820’s was still a backwater with revenues from the mining especially antimony and gold offering little benefits to the local communities.
“It was quipped that what was left was a big ‘parit’ or ditch for Bau following the mining activities, thus under the Greater Bau, it will be turned into a ditch-related ecotourism, coupled with histories, local traditions and customs.
“The ushering in of modern infrastructure and amenities under the Blueprint for Bau District 2016-2030, Tasik Biru Resort City, Bau Museum as well as the concept of Greater Bau will augur well for the people of Bau and Sarawak in general,” he added.
Meanwhile, Kampung Gumbang head Atok Derop said Greater Bau was an inspirational concept that would further develop the Bau Town and its outskirt and spur economic activities especially for the local ecotourism industry.
“As such, we as local community leaders fully support the idea to transform Bau as an iconic tourist destination, especially its historical Chinese Gold Miners trail crossing over from Sambas in Indonesia to Kampung Gumbang before they proceed to Bau in the early 1800s,” said Atop.
He also called on the State and Federal Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture to consider the development of ecotourism product in Kampung Gumbang, especially the gold miners trail.
Environmental consultant Burhanudin Abu Bakar said the development of Bau Gold Mine Museum and Park can become a one stop centre to introduce other attractive places in the district, create more job opportunities and turn Bau into an attractive tourist destination.
— BERNAMA
