PNR visitors’ centre 25 pct completed
MIRI: Construction work is 40 days ahead of schedule on the restoration of a visitors' centre complex at Piasau Nature Reserve (PNR) here, which is scheduled for completion by Feb 26, 2018.
Sarawak Forestry Corporation ( SFC) chief executive officer Wong Ting Chung is happy with the progress of the work, done by Technicorps Builder Sdn Bhd.
“It is now 25 per cent completed. We can assure the people of Miri that we are keeping close watch on the works and also on two other component areas of the reserve,” he told a press conference after visiting the project site, yesterday.
On hand to brief him and the entourage which included members of Piasau Camp Miri Nature Park Society led by treasurer Karambir Singh were Technicorps director and engineer Jessica Yong and park manager Samantha Kwan.
It is now 25 per cent completed. We can assure the people of Miri that we are keeping close watch on the works and also on two other component areas of the reserve.
The complex would serve as a one- stop information centre to showcase the past and present of the reserve, its biodiversity and the natural assets it has to offer.
The visitors' centre that will house, among other things, an administration office, exhibition gallery, gift shop, cafeteria and conference centre, represents the first phase of a restoration and development initiative at the reserve, for which Shell and Petronas has contributed RM5 million each.
Wong said SFC had written to the government for an additional RM5 million to develop facilities at the nature reserve, taking into account suggestions from the society that places emphasis on trails, construction and improvement of areas the public can come to.
PNRisbeingdevelopedaccording to the Gensler's Masterplan, which is divided into three zones, namely Zone 1 designated as an out- of-bounds conservation zone, Zone 2 to be accessible to the public for outdoor activities while Zone 3 would comprise facilities for conservation and educational activities.
PNR, a community- oriented nature reserve, was gazetted on Dec 31, 2013 for the conservation of hornbills and other wildlife, a heritage site and buffer zone against natural disasters.
It has 107 plant species and 75 fauna species including 17 species of fauna protected under the Wildlife Protection Ordinance, 45 bird species (including hornbills), three mammal species, five amphibian species, 12 reptile species and 10 butterfly species.
Wong Ting Chung, Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) chief executive officer