Eco-stream or eco-tampering? (The view looking towards Coronation Camp)
Thanks to the blog reader who sent me the above pics.
In case you are wondering what’s going on at the Penang Botanic Gardens, the pictures above show the “Eco-Stream Walk” under construction.
The is one of four new “attractions” in the pipeline, the others being a bambusetum (a bamboo park), a garden mall and a water garden. (What’s a ‘garden mall’ and a ‘water garden’? These will be just outside the present entrance.) Work is due to finish in 2010.
The “Eco-Stream Walk” will be 300 metres long, following the stream from the nursery in the Gardens to a parking area near Waterfall Road.
They are also building a ‘Tourist Pavilion’ opposite the Horticulture Centre – gallery, souvenir shops and information booths. (More concrete in the gardens?) Wouldn’t one information booth suffice?
In a future phase, a bamboo village will be added.
Why not, when you have RM7 million funding from the Tourism Ministry under the Ninth Malaysia Plan? Let’s build some “attractions”. After all, we can’t stand seeing open green recreational spaces around. We must “develop” them.
I called up Kanda Kumar of the Malaysian Nature Society, Penang chapter, to find out what he thought about the “Eco-Stream Walk”. He didn’t sound thrilled at all.
He said he didn’t know what was so “eco” about it when they are clearing the vegetation from the banks of the stream, raising the level of the banks and putting in some kind of matting for the pedestrian walkway.
Maybe they think they can improve on Nature?
He pointed out that the original plan for the walkway was so much simpler.
Blog reader Special Agent Mat Bond says:
Thanks for highlighting this!
This is exactly what we have been fighting the BN fellars in KL, especially DBKL and their “Naik Taraf” projects at Lake Gardens….
The lake gardens in KL have endured so much of silent trauma in the name of “Naik Taraf” every time a mayor changes; if only the trees can talk…
Unnecessary water features, whole gardens and greenery being displaced for a “piece de resistance” that will inevitably need more funds for upkeep and maintenance!
It’s really beyond me how they just can’t let it be! Use the funds to stabilise weaker trees, treat the termites and plant more trees, green the area and not grey it!
My biggest fear is your PBG graduating to a Lake Gardens in a few years…
Blogger Lilian adds:
And they evicted the scouts out of the Coronation camp! I also didn’t notice this project until I asked my sons, “Eh, you scouts never go camping anymore?”
He said, “The camp is gone-lah!”
As it is, the Botanic Gardens are not receiving much tourists so what’s the point to make more attractions?
Again, your writing lacks creditiblity. do some research first before you even write anything.
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Honeybunny: Im going to vote for BN in the next election. I voted DAP not bcause i anti development but because of the cronyism.
Pls check if your head is screwed on the correct way. This useless waste of public money is a FEDERAL govt initiative. So why are you threatening to vote against Pakatan Rakyat?
Along with neon coconut trees that cost RM22 million, RM9 million per annum rental for the PM’s official residence,
this is how Umno/BN has siphoned off money from the rakyat… for decades.
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The Coronation Camp was taken back in April 2006 when Penang was still under the Barisan Nasional Government. The President of Penang State Scouts Association in 2006 was YAB Tan Sri Koh Tsu Koon. In 2006 both the Chairman and Scout Commissioner were replaced. YB Teng Chang Yeow became the Chairman for the Scouts Association in Penang and the Haji Zulkafli Kamaruddin the assistant to the Deputy Chief Minister became the Penang Scouts State Commissioner. Thus, lilian, that’s why you didn’t know hat the coronation camp was taken back by the Sate Government as the top three post in the Scouts Association were held by BN members. Earlier since the 1980′s, the attempt to take back the camp was not successful as the State Scouts Commissioner and the Scouts made appeals and the Scouts were allowed to use the camp on a year to year basis.
The rape of the beautiful flora and fauna in Coronation Camp was planned by the BN. They have deprived the youth of Penang a place to camp in a natural environment. Now the Scouts have to camp in their schools or at the HQ.
I was also told that in 2005( I’m not sure if it’s true), when the Scouts asked a YB to redraw the boundary line so that the Scouts can use the camp which is in the Penang National Park, the YB said that The Scouts should sell the campsite to the state government at RM 1. The state will build the place and the Scouts Association in Penang can run the chalets built by the State Government. The Scouts Association did not agree as they were worried that if they signed off the land, they may only be able to use the campsite for a few years as the land will then belong to the state government. The Scouts Association wanted to develop the campsite themselves but were not allowed.
That’s why I prayed that this YB and YAB Koh would lose their seats in the 2008 General Election for what they have deprived the Youth of Penang and I thank God that my wish was fulfilled. Human development should be the first priority.
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