THE increasing number of tourists to Penang Hill will not pose a threat to its proposed biosphere reserve (Penang Hill Unesco Biosphere reserve), says state Tourism Development, Arts, Culture and Heritage Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin.
Yeoh said under the Penang Hill Special Area Plan, the limit stated for the number of tourists to Penang Hill at one time is 4,800.
‘Based on the data provided by the Penang Hill Corporation, thus far the number of tourists to Penang Hill at one time is 1,500 which means it has not exceeded the limit set under the Penang Hill Special Area Plan.
“Under this plan, the areas in Penang Hill are divided into three zones, namely the Core Zone, Transition Zone, and Buffering Zone,” Yeoh said during his speech at the Sate Legislative Assembly sitting at Dewan Sri Pinang today.
Yeoh (PH – Paya Terubong) was responding to the question raised by Goh Choon Aik (PH – Bukit Tambun).
The zonings are the measures taken by PHC to ensure that the natural settings of Penang Hill are maintained.
“The PHC will also ensure that it gives priority to the safety of visitors to Penang Hill.
“It will also look into on upgrading the infrastructure to make it more conducive for the visitors.
“Most importantly, the green aspect of Penang Hill will be persevered,” Yeoh added.
According to Yeoh, as of Oct 17, a total of 1,380,851 tourists have visited the Penang Hill in 2019 in which 874,949 are locals and 505,902 international tourists.
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix by Ahmad Adil Muhamad