‘Tagal’ fish harvest can attract tourists
KOTA BELUD: Harvesting produce from rivers in villages that have implemented the Tagal system could be highlighted as one of the tourism products, said Sabah Rural Development Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick.
He suggested that all Tagal committee members should hold discussions with the chairman of the Village Community Management Council (MPKK) and tourism committee in the respective villages to include harvesting in Tagal rivers in their tour calendar.
Ewon said the event could be promoted through various media platforms and opined that many tourists would be interested to know and participate in the fishing event in the rivers by using traditional methods or which were allowed by the committee.
He said this when officiating at the Tagal River Harvest Program at Kampung Terintidon, here, yesterday.
Ewon, who is also the Kadamaian assemblyman, hoped that village and community committees could agree and unite in keeping the river ecosystem, including the prohibition of cutting down trees along banks and river reserves.
He said those were integral parts of the river ecosystem and could avoid the risk of soil erosion as well as ensuring the cleanliness and safety along the river.
“I understand that the eco-tourism of Kg Terintidon has recorded more than 2,000 tourist arrivals after officially opening it. I am certain that tourists also agree that the river and forest ecosystems, which are the main attractions for tourists in this village, can be well preserved through the enforcement of law and awareness in among the community and tourists themselves,” he added.
He also commented on the upgrading of small infrastructure facilities at village economic centers, especially in the ecotourism area in Kadamaian.
Ewon said he had approved several small projects to upgrade roads heading towards ecotourism areas in several villages in Kadamaian, such as Kampung Terintidon, Kampung Talungan and Kampung Malangkap Tomis, among others.
Ewon also said he was made to understand by a Kota Belud fishery officer that the Fisheries Department could assist in providing some facilities such as Tagal area signage, toilets and dressing rooms.
Thus, he hoped MPKK could follow up on the matter with the Fisheries Department as well as other related programs.