THE Penang Botanical Gardens Department is currently undertaking an upgrading project at Dataran Teratai, which includes enhancements to the iconic Amazonian lily pads, the world’s largest and most resilient floating plants.
According to the department director, Mohamad Hasbi Ash-Shiddieqy Ahmad, the major landscape redevelopment is expected to be completed simultaneously with the Penang Hill Cable Car project.
“Dataran Teratai is now undergoing upgrading works, so we have temporarily stopped the water pump because of the Penang Hill Cable Car project taking place right beside the area.
“We have also installed ‘work in progress’ signboards as we are upgrading the landscape in tandem with the cable car development.
“The upgrading works are the reason why the water at Dataran Teratai appears slightly murky at the moment.
“This major landscape makeover will progress concurrently with the Penang Hill Cable Car project. When the cable car project is completed, the landscape enhancements here will also be completed.
“Currently, we are finalising the breeding plans for the Amazonian lily pads, including the concept we want to adopt. Once everything is confirmed, we will begin the upgrading works,” he told Buletin Mutiara when contacted today.
Mohamad Hasbi stressed that the Penang Botanical Gardens Department has not neglected or abandoned Dataran Teratai.
“The upgrading radius covers about 400 metres, including nearby parking areas and Dataran Teratai itself,” he said.
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix by Tan Kean Ming