I refer to the letters Don't confuse Bkt Larut issue with development and Fomca, please leave our beloved Taiping alone .

I am from Taiping. The waterfalls at Bukit Larut are my favourite hang-out area. It has always refreshed me.

The proposed cable car project in Bukit Larut has been touted as a move to boost the economy in Taiping. However, so far, only the hawkers have voiced their support for the project, for obvious reasons.

Economic growth is not about giving the people fish - it’s about teaching the people how to fish. This must be understood by the state government.

Empowering people, especially the poor, is vital. The current state government seems to favour the middle-class, including their business entities. How does this benefit the people in Taiping?

Our community centres have empowered single mothers, teenagers and many others into starting their own small-scale businesses. Such community centres must also be set up in Perak, especially Taiping, as there are many there who need help.

Instead of big projects, small-scale ones must be developed so that both locals and tourists can benefit. Home-stay programmes are an excellent way to promote tourism in the area and at the same time, generate much needed income for those in the rural areas and villages.

Taiping does not stand alone. Its surrounding areas of Larut, Matang and Selama must also be looked into and developed on the same platform. The Larut Matang mangrove area is sorely lacking in tourists even though there is a tourist centre there.

Taiping is an old town which has many charms. Lately, many historical buildings there have fallen victim to development.

Instead of forsaking nature to make way for major projects, Taiping’s natural assets can be used to attract tourists for a healthy, sustainable economy.

Do not repeat mistakes, correct them and improve on them. A cable car project is not the solution for Taiping’s economy. The authorities must study the proposal in depth. Please don’t kill Taiping’s natural beauty and charm.

The writer is president, Development of Human Resources For Rural Areas, Malaysia.