Golf resort which cares

The developers of the Gemas Golf Resort (GGR) have shown that its project can be carried out in an environmentally friendly manner.Mitmas Sdn Bhd has got the assistant of the Forestry Department to identify and label the trees so that every indigenous specie is retained on the fairway. The resort, located at the back of the town, on an 84ha site. The 18-hole golf course is surrounded by the Gemas forest reserve and provides a very natural surrounding. It is not surprising to hear or even spot monkeys and other animals from the forest reserve wondering to the fringe of the course. According to GGR director Mr.Kam Lai, the company intentionally built the $12 million golf resort in such a manner to minimize damage to the natural environment.

"We did cut down some of the trees but we have taken the trouble to build the course in such a manner that most of the trees are saved," he said. "There is no way you can transplant a 30 or 40 year-old tree and hope that it looks natural."

Kam also said the company had initially considered carrying out massive earthworks but decided against it when it was discovered that it would mean cutting down most of the trees. The consultants were told to build the course according to the undulating terrain so that it would have a character of its own. "We have named the fairway, the Orient Course, because of the railway tracks running beside it and the natural surroundings," said Kam. The whole project costs $12 million, of which $5 million will be used to build the clubhouse.

"You won't find many 18-hole golf courses around which costs only $7 million. "We could do it because we have maintained the terrain and trees," Kam said. "So saving the trees and terrain is not only environmentally friendly but is also good economic sense."