PEKAN: Visitors, especially nature lovers, can now make plans to visit the country's first biosphere reserve site Tasik Chini which was once marred by long-standing environmental issues.
The Tasik Chini Research Centre (PPTC) near here offers tailored edutourism packages for the public to stay at their premises within the complex vicinity and explore the lake, and its rich flora and fauna.
State Unity, Tourism and Culture Committee chairman Leong Yu Man said the negative perception about mining activities around the country's second-largest freshwater lake had to be put aside with the focus now towards getting people to return to enjoy the rich biodiversity here.
"PPTC is prepared to receive visitors, including tour groups, to explore the lake and the nearby Orang Asli settlements.
"The lake is an ideal edutourism site to attract students and researchers.
"Tour and travel agents can include Tasik Chini in their packages when promoting Pahang.
"Apart from offering accommodation, meals and camping facilities for outdoor enthusiasts, PPTC provides boating, kayaking, and jungle trekking activities depending on the length of stay," she said at PPTC here today.
Leong was met after the closing of the engagement sessions programme by Pahang State Parks Corporation to prepare the Tasik Chini biosphere reserve development plan.
Also present was Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Tasik Chini Research Centre head Associate Professor Dr Mohd Shazrul Fazry Sa`ariwijaya.
Leong said that Tasik Chini had made headlines previously for the wrong reasons due to unregulated mining and land-clearing activities but now the surrounding areas were being restored and rehabilitated.
"The mining has stopped so we hope there will be continues efforts to promote the lake.
"We cannot just sit back and wait for the Tasik Chini action plan to be implemented but must make effort to ensure the lake remains popular among visitors and is not forgotten," she said.
On the engagement sessions, Leong said the three-day programme involved 18 agencies and four Orang Asli settlements nearby with the aim to return the lake to its former glory.
"The Pahang government has pledged its support on efforts to revive the lake, and having a long- and short-term action plan is the best way to move forward.
"The findings from the sessions will be studied before we develop a comprehensive plan by the end of this year," she said.
Those who wish to know more about the promotion packages can visit https://www.ukm.my/pptc/#
-nst online.
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