Kuching City Shade

Model of Kuching City - with the lazy Sarawak River meandering through and dividing the city. Towards the upper left corner is Mount Santubong where the beach hotels are and reachable by a 45- minutes drive from Kuching City.

Kuching is a moderately- sized city with a population of about 600,000 people. With the equator not relatively far overhead, it enjoys a tropical rain forest climate that exudes the mystique of the deep jungle and adventure. To move around Kuching City is like driving in a massive botanical garden. Indeed its rich flora can be seen everywhere as you make each turn along its crowded urban roads. It is not excessive if I were to state that Kuching is slowly turning into a shady garden city and yet I think many improvements are possible. ( Inset: Angsana Trees ( Pterocarpus indicus) are planted as wayside trees on road median at Petra Jaya)

Another view of Kuching City - showing the Sarawak River branching out to the right and pouring its waters near the beaches around Bako National Park .

Urban planting is important in providing green lungs to the city. You can even call it urban forestry or any other term but the principal idea should be the evolution of a conducive green environment that stimulates bio-diversity, wildlife and recreational areas that makes living in a city bearable, healthy and socially enriching. There are many equally effective or desirable trees that could be incorporated in the re-making of Kuching urban green but trees should be selected for their shade, flowering habits, wildlife- friendly ( e.g. some fruit trees), safety and other aesthetic criteria (e.g. character). What is important is that any visitor to Kuching will bring home memories of a stay rich in beauty, tropical life and aura that is uniquely Kuching.

More Pictures of City Shade around Kuching City.