SIMUNJAN: A facelift to basic facilities at the Sungai Rian picnic site in Kepayang here is expected to draw more local and foreign visitors to the area.
Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said this includes more space for locals to generate additional income through the provision of sales sites for food and drink as well as craft which can be sold throughout the weekend.
“The increase in visitors is very significant after Sarawak entered Phase Four of the National Recovery Plan (NRP).
“And activities such as picnics, jungle trekking have become the main trend and attraction here now,” she said on Sunday (Jan 30).
In this regard, Nancy informed that it is the responsibility of all parties, especially the local community to ensure the area is well taken care of and protected.
Earlier, she attended the Sungai Rian Environment Friendly programme at the Sungai Rian picnic site.
She informed that the programme was an extension to the visit made in January 2020 following which RM250,000 was approved to upgrade picnic sites and related facilities.
The project involved the construction of a gazebo, parking space, dressing room, rail bridge, barbecue (BBQ) space all of which were implemented by the Simunjan District Council throughout 2021.
Also present were Simunjan District Council secretary Rizal Zakaria and Penghulu Ahmad Najib.
