KUCHING: Much remains to be discovered in Bau which may be lost with the advancement of modernisation.
“Therefore, a lot of efforts will have to be made to achieve a Greater Bau,” said Sehati Research Institute director Dr Voon Jan Cham.
Its progress is fully dependent on its multiracial communities, natural environment and human socioeconomic activities, he added.
Voon described Bau as an untouched, unpolished location that is filled with lush green environment, which offers a lot that can benefit the community.
He said this during an online seminar entitled Human-Geographical Imaginations: The Foundations of Greater Bau on Sunday night (Nov 14).
“Bau is such a place filled with hidden gems … a lot has yet to be discovered,” he said.
It has incredible landscapes and mountains, flora and fauna, diverse communities and various human activities, he added.
Tasik Biru incumbent assemblyman Datuk Henry Harry Jinep, who also attended the seminar, shared his thoughts on creating Greater Bau.
“Bau has been here for 201 years, moving through new paradigms and eras in the past decades, which saw many developments in terms of physical infrastructures and human activities,” he said.
“Those who have stayed here for a very long time know and have seen the gradual development here since way back during the mining industry.”
Towards this end he said Greater Bau could be achieved through more in-depth studies and understanding of the human geographical imagination in the area.
“For instance we have a lot of mountains, caves, rivers and many other ecotourism locations that we can offer to the world for this achievement.
“What is more important in this effort is the involvement of the multiracial societies and communities – Malay, Chinese and Bidayuh – who have lived here and work together here,” he said.
Conducting studies, thorough planning and conservation of history and natural landscapes, will help in implementing development plans for Bau to be a Greater Bau, he added.
