Although Seberang Perai has vast areas covered by mangrove swamps, thousands of floras and faunas, and inhibited by migratory birds of rare species, the Penang government has failed to tap their potential and develop them into major eco-tourism parks.

At least, this is the opinion of Penang DAP Citizen Against Government Waste Committee chairperson Teh Yee Cheu who could not understand why the natural resources of Seberang Perai were not exploited.

According to him, stretches of land in Bagan Tambang, Penaga, Kuala Muda, Sungai Perai, Sungai Derhaka, Sungai Cenaam, Sungai Udang are covered by red and white mangrove swamps, and varieties of floras and faunas. Muddy wetlands are natural ground for feeding and breeding of migratory birds.

Last year, foreign researchers had even spotted rare migratory birds such as Siberian Nordmann Greenshanks in the Bagan Tambang mangrove jungle. Penang is home to an estimated 50 of the 1,000 extinct Siberian birds.

"The mangrove swamps, floras, faunas and birds should have been marketed and promoted for educational tourism.

"Foreigners, especially biologists, mangrove researchers and nature lovers, would love the products," Teh told malaysiakini .

Tourism is the biggest revenue earner for Penang, after the manufacturing sector. About 3.4 million tourists, 48 percent of them domestic, visit Penang yearly.

Teh criticised the Penang government for overlooking the mainland and over-emphasising on tourism development on the island.

Over the years, he said the state government was only keen in developing artificial tourism products on the island, such as hotels, shopping complexes and festivals, when it could have given equal emphasis on the mainland.

Develop river transport

He suggested that Sungai Perai and Sungai Derhaka in Seberang Perai Tengah district be developed into major inland water transport channels for both locals and foreigners.

"Locals once used the rivers for transport. Why not now?" he asked.

Both rivers have long stretches of mangrove swamps, and Sungai Derhaka in particular, has a small community of rare white crocodiles.

"Besides functioning as extra transport modes, both rivers can offer natural spectacles for researchers, nature lovers and students," said Teh.

The state government, he added, should also give a major facelift to the old Perai town and its now unused barter trade harbour.

"These places have potentials to be developed, promoted and marketed as major tourism products for heritage lovers and movie makers.

"It's time for the state government to focus on Seberang Perai," Teh said.

ATHI VEERANGGAN is malaysiakini 's Penang-based stringer.