Inaugural eco-tourism summit attracts 200.

Date: 20 December 2012

Inaugural eco-tourism summit attracts 200.

THE inaugural National Eco-Tourism Summit, held recently at the Persada Johor International Convention Centre, here, is going to be an annual event.

JOHOR BARU: Co-organised by Iskandar Regional Development Authority (Irda), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) and the Malaysian Ecotourism Association (MEA), the three-day event attracted some 200 participants. It is a platform for those in the eco-tourism industry and environmental sector to share ideas on expansion.

IRDA state commissioner, Dr Badrul Hisham Kassim, said the oil and gas hub in Pengerang at the southeastern tip of Johor will not affect the other parts of Iskandar Malaysia. "We will give due care to the Ramsar-gazetted conservation sites of Pulau Kukup, Sungai Pulai and Tanjung Piai," he said, adding that zones have been earmarked for man-made development and eco-tourism.

He said IRDA was focusing on four areas to promote sustainable development in Iskandar Malaysia. These were food and beverage trades, theme parks, heritage and culture, and eco-tourism. "IRDA will also tap into avi-tourism, which is based on attractions involving birding activities, in line with its plan for sustainable development in the growth corridor," he said.

"More than 100 fishermen in Kampung Sungai Melayu, near Sungai Danga, are being roped into a pilot project to develop this niche area of eco-tourism." Badrul Hisham said the fishermen and other villagers would double up as local tour guides for tourists, especially bird lovers who are known to watch the trail of migratory birds.

"There is a trend where several species of migratory birds will make Johor a stopover point during their migratory journey from Siberia to Australia between the months of September and March," he said. "There are die-hard birdwatchers who will follow the flight of the birds. Last April, we launched a training programme for villagers of Kampung Sungai Melayu."

He said villagers were trained to communicate in English and also in being able to identify different species of migratory birds. "We are creating a wider awareness on how to conserve the natural habitats of the birds," he added.

Some 200 participants comprising representatives from environmental agencies and the ecotourism sector attended the summit.

By CHUAH BEE KIM | johor@nst.com.my

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