The Star 27 Oct 11;
KOTA KINABALU: Kota Kinabalu Wetlands, one of the popular tourist attractions in the state, is poised to become a Ramsar site soon.
Expressing confidence in the uniqueness of Kota Kinabalu Wetlands, Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Tan Sri Joseph Kurup said it had the right criteria to be accorded Ramsar status.
He said his ministry would give its utmost support to make this a reality.
Ramsar sites are designated under the Ramsar Convention, also known as the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance.
The Convention has the unique distinction of being the first modern treaty between nations aimed at conserving natural resources.
The Convention was signed in 1971 at the small Iranian town of Ramsar.
“Most important is to maintain this area and thus, I urge everyone to contribute towards making Kota Kinabalu Wetlands a Ramsar site worthy of visiting for many generations to come,” Kurup said in his speech when launching the Malaysia Environment Week 2011, organised by the Sabah Wetlands Conservation Society recently.
Kurup said the 24ha Kota Kinabalu Wetlands provides an opportunity for visitors to experience and learn first-hand about a mangrove habitat, a type of wetlands, without the burden of having to travel to a distant location.
“Wetlands are among the most threatened ecosystems in the world. Many wetlands have been significantly destroyed to make way for development.
“However, if managed well, wetland ecosystems can play a vital role in the mitigation of climate change which helps humans counter the effects of climate change based on their role in ensuring water and food security,” he said.
Sabah Biodiversity Centre director Dr Abdul Fatah Amir said the application for Ramsar-site status for Kota Kinabalu Wetlands was now in the final stage of preparation.
“Kota Kinabalu Wetlands has many types of birds that fulfil the criteria for being a Ramsar site. If everything goes well, the proposal will be brought to the state Cabinet at the year-end for deliberation before being submitted to the Ramsar Convention (to be held probably next year),” he said.
The Lower Kinabatangan-Segama Wetlands was the area to be designated a Ramsar site in Sabah and the biggest in Malaysia. — Bernama
