March 15, 2010 at 11:26 am
The Federal government has allocated RM14.4 million to upgrade parks and gardens in Penang to attract tourists said Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen.
From the total allocation, RM7 million would be used to upgrade Botanical Garden in Penang said Ng.
“The Botanical Garden has a very good potential to attract visitors and tourist since it has been identified to be listed among the most beautiful gardens in the world,” she told reporters after visiting the Botanical Garden here Sunday.
Apart from the Botanical Garden, Taman Tasek Taiping, Taman Tasek Titiwangsa and Taman Tasek Shah Alam have also been identified to be listed in a book titled ’1001 most beautiful parks in the world’ added Ng.
Ng said every year, RM1 million was allocated for maintenance of the Botanical Garden that attracts an estimated 100,000 visitors a year.
Meanwhile, Ng added that upgrading works carried out in Bukit Bendera (Penang Hill), involving the funicular train, would not affect the environment since no heavy machinery was involved.
The upgrading works, carried at a cost of RM63 million, would comprise replacing motors, upgrading machinery, cable system and coaches while work that started in January this year, is expected to be completed by October, she said.
Source: Bernama