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Ramsar Approves Three New Sites In Malaysia
Here are brief descriptions on the three new sites by Ramsar's Liazzat Rabbiosi, based on the Party's Ramsar Information Sheets:- Pulau Kukup (State Park) Pulau Kukup is an uninhabited mangrove island located 1 km from the southwestern tip of the Malaysian Peninsular and is also one of the few intact sites of this type left in Southeast Asia. The wetland supports species such as the Flying Fox (Pteropus vampyrus), Smooth Otter (Lutra perspicillata), Bearded Pig (Sus barbatus) and the Long-tailed Macaque (Macoca fascicularis), all listed as threatened, vuinerable or near- threatened under the World Conservation Union (IUCN) Red Book. The island has been identified as one of the Important Bird Areas (IBA) for Malaysia, with globally vulnerable Lesser Adjutant (Leptoptilos javanicus) choosing it as a stopover and breeding ground. Pulau Kukup is important for flood control, physical protection (e.g. as a wind-breaker) and shoreline stabilisation as it shelters the mainland town from severe storms. The coastal straits between the island and the mainland are a thriving industry for marine cage culture. The mudflats are rich with shellfish and provide food and income to local people. The Malaysian government has further plans to promote ecotourism there. Sungai Pulai (Forest Reserve) The largest riverine mangrove system in Johor, Sungai Pulai represents one of the best examples of a tropical lowland river basin with its associated seagrass beds, intertidal mudflats and inland freshwater riverine forest. It supports rich biodiversity and is home to the rare and endemic small tree Avicenna lanata as well as animals such as the near-threatened and vulnerable long-tailed Macaque, Smooth Otter and the rare Flat-headed Cat, and threatened bird species like Mangrove Pitta and Mangrove Blue Flycatcher (all included in the IUCN Red list). Relatively undisturbed parts including the Nipah swamps may be nesting sites of the Estuarine crocodiles. The site fringes play a significant role in shoreline stabilisation and severe flood prevention in the adjacent 38 villages. The local population depends on the estuary as its mudflats, an ideal feeding, spawning and fattening ground, support a significant proportion of fish species. The site is managed in line with the Integrated Management Plan for the sustainable use of mangroves in Johor. Tanjung Piai (State Park)
With the declaration, Malaysia now has four Ramsar sites, these three and the famous Tasek Bera in Pahang totaling 48,745 hectares. The Ramsar Convention has 1,287 sites totaling just short of 110 million hectares worldwide. |
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Three
sites in Malaysia, namely Tanjung Piai, Pulau Kukup and Sungai Pulai, all in the
state of Johor, have been designated new Wetlands of International Importance by
the Ramsar Bureau in Switzerland. The declaration, which was posted on the
Ramsar official website on 11 June 2003, was greeted with excitement by
officials. Johor Tourism and Environment Committee Chairman Dato' Dr. Chua Soi
Lek, who has taken a keen interest in the preservation of the wetlands,
described the recognition as unique. "We have attained Ramsar status for
three sites in one go. This is an outstanding achievement," he said.
"With the Ramsar declaration, we can expect sustained, controlled and
regulated development activities in these areas." Johor National Parks
Corporation Director Mohamed Basir Mohamed Sali described the news as
"fantastic". "We have been working hard for this recognition. It
is great news for the people of Johor," he said.
Tanjung
Piai consists of coastal mangroves and intertidal mudflats located at the
southernmost tip of continental Asia, especially important for protection from
sea-water intrusion and coastal erosion. Tanjung Piai supports many threatened
and vulnerable wetland-dependent species such as Pig-tailed Macaque and
Long-tailed Macaque as well as birds like Mangrove Pitta, Mangrove Blue
Flycatcher and Mangrove Whistier. The globally vulnerable Lesser Adjutant may be
observed in the vicinity of the site. Other fauna species which could be found
there are the Scaly Anteater, Common Porcupine, Smooth Otter and the Bearded
Pig.
MTC’s
