Group says expansion plan destroying Penang botanical park
GEORGE TOWN: A group called “Save Penang Botanic Gardens” wants the RM7mil expansion plan for the Botanic Gardens to be halted until a public briefing on it is organised.
Its spokesperson Loh-Lim Lin Lee said group members were not consulted on the project and neither was the plan displayed.
He described the destruction of the 126-year-old garden as horrendous.
The group, spearheaded by the Penang Heritage Trust, is on a campaign to distribute flyers to the public and to the authorities concerned.
Loh-Lim said the authorities must hold a briefing quickly before more “irreparable” damage was done.
“Attempts by non-governmental organisations to put forward recommendations have come to nought. The two archways being constructed near the entrance of the gardens are simply horrible and ugly.
“Yes, we are aware that the Penang Botanic Gardens Department had a dialogue with the Malaysian Nature Society and the Friends of Penang Botanic Gardens Society, but their recommendations were not considered,” she told reporters after distributing flyers at the launch of the 126th anniversary celebrations of the botanical gardens here yesterday.
Loh-Lim also presented flyers to Kebun Bunga assemblyman Jason Ong, department director Nor Wahida Hassan, and State Tourism Development, Culture and Arts Committee chairman Danny Law who launched the event.
Nor Wahida said a public briefing had been planned for April 17, adding that the department already had a number of discussions with several NGOs earlier.
Law said the project was approved during the administration of the previous state government.
Programmes planned in conjunction with the anniversary are Natural Heritage (April 17), A Walk in the Rainforest (May 8), Flora and Fauna Education (June 12-20), Plants Conservation (July 3), Penang Botanic Gardens 126 Years Symposium (Sept 24-26), Sungai Air Terjun Conservation (Oct 2), Penang Floral Fest (Nov 28- Dec 5) and the launch of Formal Garden (Dec 11).
For details call the department at 04-2270428/2284124.
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