KUCHING – Bau district, once known for its gold mining activities, has discovered a new form of “gold” that has the potential to turn it into a vibrant tourist attraction.
Several projects have been planned over the next 10 years for Bau, located about 40km from here, under the much-awaited Greater Bau initiatives.
The Bau Gold Mine Museum and Park, and Tasik Biru Resort City are among interesting tourism projects proposed for the district.
The museum and park will act as catalysts to transform the district into a holistic gold heritage town in Sarawak, and reboot its entire tourism mechanism by capitalising on its adventure-nature-agro-cultural tourism components.
The first-phase construction of the resort city, which will commence soon, will comprise a hotel with floating chalets and restaurant, chairlifts, and promenade around the lake and park to complement the museum.
The project will offer a variety of unique holiday experiences, as well as attract more tourists and create more jobs.
Tasik Biru assemblyman Datuk Henry Harry Jinep said the proposed museum and park will become a new tourist attraction in the district.
He said a consultant firm has been appointed to carry out a study to formalise the master plan, with Bau’s gold mining history as the context of development, and its natural and cultural heritage as 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.”
Henry said the Greater Bau initiatives unveiled by Chief Minister Datuk Abang Johari Openg on December 31 last year are not only for the Tasik Biru constituency, but the whole of Bau.
He said the plan will cover stretches from Kg Lidah Tanah (in Batu Kitang constituency), Serikin, Jagoi to Singai (in Tasik Biru constituency), as well as Siniawan, Tondong, Buso, Krokong, Pangkalan Tebang and Gumbang (in Serembu constituency).
“We need to decentralise. That is why we call it the Greater Bau – the development is not only concentrated in Bau itself. This is so that people of different races and ethnic groups in the district, including Bidayuh, Chinese, and Malay, could enjoy it.”
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 1820s, was still a backwater town with revenues from mining, especially antimony and gold, offering little benefits to 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.” – Bernama, January 4, 2021
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