Heritage Site Or Dumping Site
By Shafiyi Azahari

Tutong - The Tasek Merimbun Heritage Park, located in the Tutong District, is one of the more picturesque places of interests in Brunei Darussalam where the largest blackwater lake can be found.

The site that was proudly proclaimed as the first of 11th Asean Heritage Parks' in 1984 in the region .has not only reaped praise but, increasingly rubbish and also vandalism all around the recreational area.

Rubbish bins were either full and trash was just left outside of the bins at one of the huts. During the public holiday; when scores of holiday makers usually visit the area, many have been shocked to see the appalling state of disrepair and lack of maintenance that has neglected this heritage park.

Trees, that are meant to be covered with natural bark, were also `vandalised' to resemble a pitiful attempt of carvings of immature affection.

With all the efforts being put in to boost the nation's nascent tourism industry, the rubbish and the dilapidated scenes is clearly something that the sultanate can ill-afford.

Visitors are also advised on a notice board of the various natural species of reptiles that inhabit the black-water lake.

A rare and unique species that can only be found in the world, at the Merimbun Heritage Park, is the white-collared fruit bat.

One of the visitors, Hj Ahmad and his family from Kuala Belait, said that they enjoy their lunch at the park during the holidays which they visit every two years. But if conditions worsen, would anyone want to return again?  -- Courtesy of The Brunei Times

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