Endau Rompin nominated as Asean Heritage Park

 

Endau Rompin National Park (TNJER) in Johor has been nominated as an Asean Heritage Park (AHP), which will make it Malaysia’s fourth national park to be declared as a protected ecological area. - NSTP file pic

KUALA LUMPUR: Endau Rompin National Park (TNJER) in Johor has been nominated as an Asean Heritage Park (AHP), which will make it Malaysia's fourth national park to be declared as a protected ecological area.

Energy and Natural Resources Minister Datuk Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah said 90 per cent of TNJER is covered with tropical rainforest, and is a well-preserved ecosystem with almost the whole protected area surrounded by forest reserves.

The three other AHPs in the country are the National Park (Pahang, Kelantan and Terengganu), Kinabalu National Park (Sabah), and Gunung Mulu National Park (Sarawak).

"TNJER's nomination as an AHP will, among other things, improve the image of TNJER as an important conservation area in Johor, and a second national park in the peninsula.

"It will also strengthen TNJER's management based on best management practices on par with regional and international management of protected areas, and improve the network and cooperation between protected areas locally and internationally.

"The ministry will present nomination documents to the AHP secretariat in the Philippines to be considered by the Asean working group and approved by Asean ministers in 2021," he said in a statement today.

Shamsul said TNJER contains 80 threatened plant species listed under the Endangered Species International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, including 38 critically-endangered species, 16 endangered species, and 26 vulnerable species.

He added that TNJER is also an important habitat for the conservation of large threatened mammals, especially the Malayan Tiger, the Malayan Tapir, the Malayan Sun Bear and the Asian Elephant.

TNJER's nomination, he said, mirrors Malaysia's efforts in preserving and recognising protected areas as invaluable national treasures.

"I urge all state governments to also take the initiative to present nominations to obtain international recognition such as an AHP.

"Such recognition will help in terms of tourism not just in Malaysia and Asean, but also worldwide.

"However, before ecotourism potential is explored aggressively, development and management of ecotourism areas must be done in a sustainable manner to ensure existing flora, fauna, and ecosystem are protected," said Shamsul.

He added that to achieve this, capacity research must be conducted and ecotourism players must ensure that the capacity limit is adhered to.

This effort, he said, is also in line with Asean's hopes that protective conservation measures are made to maintain ecological process and genetic diversity, ensure the preservation of biodiversity and ecosystems, as well as preserve the environment in terms of culture, education, research, recreation, and ecotourism.

-nst online.