Restoring mangrove in Klias for tourism

Beaufort: Efforts are being made to restore plants especially mangrove in the wetland area in Klias, Beaufort as the district has high tourism potential with proboscis monkey as the main attraction.

A ceremony to plant mangrove tree seedlings was held recently at the Padas Damit Forest Reserve.

Among those present at the event were Federal Ministry of Tourism and Cultural (Motac) Sabah State Office Director Ag. Ahmad Zaki B. Abu Bakar, Tourism Malaysia Sabah Director Sani Aham Ahmad, Sabah Tourist Association (STA) Chairman Tonny Chew, STA Treasurer Martin Kong and George Angampun of the Sabah Forestry Department.

“This is in conjunction with the Motac 1Malaysia Green and 1Malaysia Clean campaign. It is also part of our CSR programme where it brings benefit for eco tourism. I wish to thank State Forestry Director Datuk Sam Mannan for his support towards this cause,” said Zaki during the event.

According to Edward Chua who operates one of the lodges, Monkey Tops Riverlodge, in the Klias wetland area, leaves are the main food of the proboscis monkey.

“If you notice some of the trees here have lesser leaves, it means the monkeys have been consuming them, not because the trees are unhealthy.

Therefore, it is important that we continue to do re-planting of trees so that there will be continuous sustenance of food for this species.

“Apart from leaves, mangrove is also seen as unique as it can sustain in the wet environment,” he said. Sani Sham stressed that products of nature such as mangrove trees are very important for the environment.

“Apart from its beauty, this tree acts like a protector of the earth as it prevents erosion. I encourage players of the tourism industry to continue conserving the environment while promoting our products to tourists,” he said.

The tree planting ceremony was the second after their first one at the Sabah Agriculture Park in Tenom during the first quarter of the year, organised by the Sabah Tourist Association.

Source: Daily Express