KUALA TERENGGANU:
FROM an almost impenetrable hinterland accessible only via sampan through 30 fast flowing rivers and dangerous rapids of the main Sungai Terengganu and Sungai Berang, Tasik Kenyir is now fast gaining popularity as an international tourism hotspot.
When a dam was constructed in 1978 and completed eight years later, the land was inundated with 145m of water covering 38,000ha of surface area, about the size of Singapore.
The Sultan Mahmud Hydro-Electric Dam created the massive Tasik Kenyir, and with it, new economic opportunities in the tourism sector.
Opened in 1986, the dam first attracted traditional fishermen who took advantage of the bountiful freshwater fish high in demand from restaurant operators. However, overfishing forced the government to revoke traditional fishing licences in 2004 to protect the lake’s resources.
Tasik Kenyir earned its name as the “angler’s paradise” because in its early years, anglers from all over the world tried to break the record for the biggest and heaviest toman (giant snakehead), sebarau (Hampala macrolepidota), kelah (Malayan mahseer) and belida (giant featherback) caught.
The fishermen were unhappy about the licence revocation, but the government had to make the unpopular decision to save the fish stocks that made Tasik Kenyir famous.
Following the government’s decision to protect the fish spawning areas in the lake, the fishermen were encouraged to participate in the tourism sector by providing houseboat services. This allowed them to earn an average of RM8,000 a month. There are now 89 houseboat operators.
In addition, there are 111 speedboats and 108 recreational boats providing round-island trips to places like the butterfly park, bird park, orchid park, tropical fruit park and Kelah Sanctuary.
Terengganu Tengah Development Authority (Ketengah) general manager Omar Ismail said the gradual development of Tasik Kenyir opened the eyes of villagers looking for ways to capitalise on the increase in the number of visitors, following its declaration as a free-trade area last year.
“Enterprising villagers can look at how they can boost their income. When the facilities are completed hopefully by the end of this year, there will be more activities for visitors.
“Last year, we recorded more than 800,000 visitors. If each visitor spent RM20, about RM16 million would have been injected into the local economy. Everyone in the business chain will benefit.
“We are looking at the bigger picture. Both the federal and state governments have spent so much to make Tasik Kenyir a tourism hub in the country and we want the people, especially the locals, to benefit from the spin-offs,” he said.
Omar said serious adventurers or holidaymakers might need to stay in Tasik Kenyir for more than a week to truly appreciate its natural attractions.
“This provides job opportunities for youths who can work as guides, boatmen and porters. These jobs give them more income during weekends and long holidays.”
He said the development in Tasik Kenyir was a long-term investment by the government for the people and its success would be gradual but assured.
“Without the government’s vision and support, only a small number of people in Tasik Kenyir will benefit,” he said, adding that the lake remained a natural heritage.
“The most important part is that people are able to reap the benefits from the deluge of visitors and physical developments at the lake.”