CMS and Sentoria Appoint UNIMAS To Develop Rejuvenation And Revitalisation Assessment Of Kuching Wetlands National Park

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Kuching, 13 November 2013 – Projek Bandar Samariang Sdn Bhd (PBS), a wholly owned subsidiary of Cahya Mata Sarawak Berhad (CMSB), the State’s leading infrastructure catalyst, in collaboration with Sentoria Borneo Samariang Sdn Bhd (SBS) today announced a research agreement with UNIMAS Holdings Sdn Bhd, a wholly owned company of Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) to undertake a tourism sustainability study of Kuching Wetlands National Park (KWNP).

In conjunction with the upcoming Bandar Samariang Resort City (BSRC) and its world class facilities, the adjoining KWMP looks set to become a popular tourist attraction from the BSRC residents and visitors alike. The study which will take 15 months to complete, is to determine the sustainability of tourism offerings associated with KWNP and its immediate surroundings.

The study focuses on wildlife (dolphins, fireflies, monkeys, birds and crocodiles), river cruise and adjoining fishing villages’ maintenance and sustainability. The assessment will also include the projection of visitor arrivals from the adjacent BSRC and a suggested sustainability management plan that will transform KWNP into a destination for visitors to encourage learning, awareness and appreciation of the natural values – under the principles of the RAMSAR Convention.

On 10 October 2002, 6,610 ha (38%) of the former Sarawak Mangrove Forest Reserve (SMFR) was classified as a ‘Totally Protected Area’ (TPA) and gazetted as Kuching Wetland National Park (KWNP) under the Sarawak National Parks and Nature Reserves Ordinance 1998 (NPNRO 1998). On 8 November 2005, the Park was declared a RAMSAR Site, the first in Sarawak and the 5th in Malaysia.

Dato’ Richard Curtis, Group Managing Director Cahya Mata Sarawak, said “We are delighted to appoint UNIMAS to undertake this study in ensuring the maintenance and sustainability of the Kuching Wetlands National Park is mapped. The upcoming Bandar Samariang Resort City will look to attract many visitors to the adjoining Wetlands Park, that has been developed under RAMSAR Convention principles, and it will be our and Sentoria’s intention to ensure that our respective developments play a role to support and sustain the Wetlands Park for current and future generations to enjoy”.

Witnessing the signing was Chief Minister of Sarawak, Pehin Sri Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud. Signing for Project Bandar Samariang was Dato’ Richard Curtis, whilst signing for Sentoria Borneo Samariang was Dato’ Gan Kim Leong, Sentoria Group Berhad Joint Managing Director, and signing for UNIMAS was Dr Harry Entebang, General Manager for UNIMAS Holdings Sdn Bhd.

The Bandar Samariang Resort City is an up and coming suburb in North Kuching. In addition to around 40,000 residential units, the resort city will include world class theme park attractions such as a water theme park and safari park, resort accommodation, M.I.C.E facilities and family friendly recreational facilities.