R. Sittamparam, The New Straits Times 2 Mar 08;
JOHOR is the home of three Ramsar sites (wetlands of international importance), which make up 60 per cent of the country's wetlands. They are Pulau Kukup, Tanjung Piai and Sungai Pulai.
Malaysia's other Ramsar sites are Tasik Bera in Pahang and Kuching in Sarawak.
The Ramsar Convention has been the principal instrument for international co-operation in the conservation and wise use of wetlands.
Signed in Iran in 1971, it was the first of the modern global conservation treaties, dedicated to a particular ecosystem which is one of the most ecologically productive.
Parties to the convention had committed themselves to designate all of their "suitable wetlands" to the Wetlands of International Importance list and maintain their wetland ecology through conservation and sustainable use.
Mangrove forests are common in wetlands and they have an important role in pollution control as they absorb organic pollutants.
They also play a vital role in storm protection and coastal stabilisation.
After the 2004 tsunami, which killed some 300,000 people from 11 countries including Malaysia, more attention has been given to the forests.
Johor is currently home to 27,733ha of mangrove forests and about 50 per cent of it is found in the southwest.
Here lies the state's three Ramsar sites designated in February 2003 (Sungai Pulai, Tanjung Piai National Park and Pulau Kukup National Park).
These sites, covering 10,300ha, are fully protected under the Johor State Parks Enactment 1989.
And whenever possible, sustainable use is encouraged at the area to benefit the local people, who have been dependent on its natural resources for many generations.
Pulau Kukup
Pulau Kukup, located 1km from the southwestern tip of Johor, is recognised as an island with the world's largest mangrove forest, covering 647ha.
It is uninhabited and is one of the few intact wetland mangrove forests in southeast Asia.
The forest supports wildlife species such as the flying fox (Pteropus vampyrus), smooth otter (Lutra perspicillata), bearded pig (Sus barbatus) and the long-tailed macaque (Macaca fascicularis), all listed as endangered.
It has also been identified as one of the important bird landing areas in Malaysia.
The globally endangered lesser adjutant (Leptoptilos javanicus) chooses the island as a stopover and breeding ground.
Pulau Kukup is also important for flood control.
It serves as a wind-breaker and protects the shoreline as it shelters the mainland town from severe sea storms.
The straits between Pulau Kukup and the mainland is a location to the thriving industry of marine-cage culture.
The mudflats are rich with shellfish and provide food and income to the local people.
The island is now an important eco-tourism destination with infrastructure such as boardwalks, watch towers and a hanging bridge.
Sungai Pulai
The Sungai Pulai Forest Reserve, about 48km from Pontian, is the largest riverine mangrove system in Johor.
It is located at the estuary of the Sungai Pulai River.
With its seagrass beds, intertidal mudflats and freshwater mangrove forests, the site represents one of the best examples of a lowland tropical river basin, supporting a rich diversity of flora and fauna.
It is home to the rare small tree Avicennia lanata and animals such as the long-tailed macaque, smooth otter and the flat-headed cat.
Threatened bird species such as the mangrove pitta and mangrove blue flycatcher also make their nests there.
Undisturbed parts of the estuary, including the nipah swamps, may be nesting sites of crocodiles.
The forests also play a significant role to protect the shoreline and prevent floods in the adjacent 38 villages.
The local population depends on the estuary for fish as its mudflats, an ideal feeding and spawning ground, support many species of fish.
The mangrove forests provide wood for charcoal production and a site for aquaculture activities, plus eco-tourism.
The Port of Tanjung Pelepas, located at the estuary, works hand-in-hand with environmental groups for the conservation of the estuary.
The site is managed in line with the integrated management plan for the sustainable use of mangroves in the state.
Tanjung Piai
The Tanjung Piai National Park consists of coastal mangrove forests and mudflats in the southernmost point of peninsular Malaysia.
It supports many threatened and vulnerable wetland species such as the pig-tailed macaque and birds like the mangrove whistler.
The lesser adjutant is also seen in the area, together with the scaly anteater, common porcupine, smooth otter and bearded pig.
Water from the four main rivers traversing Tanjung Piai are abundant with commercially valuable aquatic species.
Tanjung Piai is also a popular eco-tourism site that is complete with a visitors' centre and boardwalks.
Visitors can enjoy walks, stay overnight at the camping or chalet facilities and enjoy various activities.
The view of the Straits of Malacca from the site, especially at sunset, is stunningly beautiful.
