SAMARAHAN: The Integrated Regional Samarahan Development Agency (IRSDA) wants to tourists to come to Sungai Meranek and watch the crocodiles there.
Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said that IRSDA would be working with agencies such as Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) to capitalise on the huge crocodile population in the river and encourage tourists to view them.
Nancy said crocodile watching had been identified as a potential tourism product in Sungai Meranek.
“The interesting part is that SFC has been doing it. It has boats taking people to view crocodiles along Samariang to the Pulau Salak area.
“So, we are interested to bring this kind of activities to Samarahan.
“It may sound scary, but with the experts, we can do it,” she told a press conference after launching the Serba Dinamik’s Defence of the Ancients (Dota) 2 Season 1 2021 championship, at D-Virtual Park here on Sunday (Mar 28).
Nancy, who is also the Tourism Committee chairperson in IRSDA, added there were many crocodiles in Batang Sadong and Batang Samaharan as well.
“We want to capitalise on whatever we have, and I think it is time for us to really go for activities that are able to attract tourists.
“The product and infrastructure are already there. Now we need to look into how to go about capitalising and monetising them.”
The minister pointed out that there were many attractions in Samarahan division which included Simunjan, Gedong, Sadong Jaya and Sebuyau.
“There are beautiful waterfalls that have yet to be promoted.
“The D-Virtual Park here is another domestic product. But there are different segments of people that come to Samarahan for different activities. We cannot be only offering them a place to play games, but there must also be a place for them to enjoy food, homestay, etc.
“We need to provide that ecosystem for them. We want to provide the people with experiential tourism,” she said.
Commenting on the plans to redevelop the Samarahan Ferry Base, Nancy said the area would be a game changer to the Samarahan division.
“This will be redeveloped with river activities and waterfront. This is not just in planning but will be implemented in the next few months,” she said.
