LUNDU - The natural beauty of Lundu and its vicinity gives it vast eco-tourism potential, said Assistant Minister of Agri-culture and Food Industries Datuk Ramsay Noel Jitam.

This vast district stretches from Tanjung Datu in the north to Kampong Kendaiee (a border village that still has strong Lara cultural heritage) in the south.

Ramsay added that Lundu was famous for its beautiful unspoiled beaches, national parks and lush tropical rainforests. "Pandan and Sia beaches in Lundu and Sematan beach are among the most beautiful in the country, comparable to those of Hawaii. As such, efforts should be made by all sectors to up-grade and attract as many tourists to this district as possible," he said after handing over rural development grants to 48 organisations at the Civic Centre here on Wednesday.

Gunung Gading National Park, he said, was home to numerous rare plants including the big-gest and one of the most exotic flowers known to mankind, the 'Rafflellia tuanmudae' (bunga pak-ma), a rare species of flower that can grow up to nearly a metre in width when in full bloom.

Other national parks found in the district are the Simunsam wildlife sanctuary and the Talang-Talang turtles' breeding and nesting sanctuary. Talang-Talang Island is also famous for its coral reefs and exotic marine habitats.

"The trend among foreign tourists nowadays is to make a home-stay visit of the various ethnic communities in the State, so they could stay with their hosts for a few days to ex-perience the real life in longhouses and villages. Lundu has been found suitable for this type of tou-rism," noted Ramsay.

Meanwhile, he advised farmers in Lundu, especially those with pepper gardens, to maintain them as the government would endeavour to provide various forms of assistance.