Tourism potential for Gunung Pulai with artifacts discovery - Mukhriz

Tourism potential for Gunung Pulai with artifacts discovery - Mukhriz

The state government plans to turn Gunung Pulai in Baling into another tourist attraction in Kedah following the discovery of more than 100 prehistoric Paleolithic artifacts estimated to be 17,000 years old by the National Heritage Department (JWN).

Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mukhriz Tun Mahathir said the state government had yet to fine tune the proposal and would consider all aspects including how to manage the site if it was opened for tourism purposes.

"We have stopped all quarrying activities and plan to make Gunung Pulai a tourist destination. With the discovery of artifacts, this is a great opportunity to turn it into a new attraction.

Yesterday, National Heritage Department director-general Mesran Mohd Yusop, who is also the Heritage Commissioner, said the artifacts were discovered while his department was conducting explorations in the area between April and October last year.

On other developments, asking whether the state government would embark on a water rationing exercise due to prolonged hot and dry weather and lack of rain, he said at the moment it would not be done. Instead, the state government will launch a water conservation programme to raise awareness.

"There have been complaints on insufficient water supply but only eight per cent of the state population are affected. However, the 92 per cent who are not are sometimes the ones who waste so we urge them to use water sparingly to enable the affected areas to get water supply as well, " he said.

-- BERNAMA