Tutong - With an area of 1,166 sq km, Tutong is the third largest district in Brunei Darussalam after Belait and Temburong with a population in excess of 34,000.
The district is accessible through a well-connected road and highway from Brunei Muara or Belait Districts. Its tremendous development has spurred the town to new heights, with numerous governments, commercial and private buildings springing up, making it a lively hive of bustling business activities.
Apart from commercial activities, Tutong District is well-known for its pristine and lush green tropical forest. One such sight to behold is Sungai Basong Recreational Park.
Like other parks scattered across the country, its refreshing atmosphere allows the old and young to engage in a multitude of activities, such as educational trips, camping, treasure hunts, and jungle treks or to simply observe its green surroundings. It is strategically located within sight while driving along the Tutong-Muara Highway and is only a mere five-minute drive from Tutong Town, thus positioning the park as a haven for recreational outings during weekends and public holidays.
Since its opening in the late 1990s, the park has been given a number of facelifts, making the park as an ideal alternative destination for leisure and sports enthusiasts alike, given the fact that it is comfortably within reach for a majority of people, especially Tutong residents.
The park reached the pinnacle of its popularity when it was chosen as the venue for a get-together ceremony for His Majesty‘s 56th birthday celebrations in 2002 for Tutong District.
To add to the park‘s natural beauty for that year‘s celebration, a cluster of ethnic dwellings were built in the park, showcasing the traditional lifestyles of the five major ethnicities living in the district, specifically the Dusun, Tutong, Iban, Kedayan and Chinese communities.
These unique houses have become the centre of attraction, where conservationists and visitors converge to appreciate their rustic charms ever since the display was opened to the public.
However, as weather plays a crucial role in altering the physical condition of any buildings or structures, the once-acclaimed popular spot has been virtually neglected.
Overgrown bushes, dilapidated facades and mucky surroundings tend to discourage visitors from coming back to appreciate the sentimental value of the dwellings.
Some structures have collapsed a constant reminder of their fragility as they were not made to last without proper attention and maintenance. Unless some renewed effort is made, the park is bound to lose its "treasure" in many years to come.
Source: www.brudirect.com (2 Oktober 2007)
