"The woods are lovely, dark and deep. But I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep..." - Robert Frost
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| (The mangrove jungle, peaceful and quiet) |
After our program Amal in Pontian, we decided to explore some attractions in Pontian and decided to visit the Kukup National Park and Tanjung Piai.
Pulau Kukup is one the largest uninhabited mangroves in the world. It is also the only one situated in Johor waters. Today, Pulau Kukup has received international recognition as the island has been granted the status of a 'Wetland of International Importance' (RAMSAR site) by the Geneva-based Ramsar Convention Bureau.
A local folklore tells a tale of Pulau Kukup, an abode for five celestial princesses. One day, one of the princess fell in love with a sailor and they eloped. A curse was set upon the island of Kukup and it was submerged by sea. The island later resurfaced, but it was covered in mangroves. Many have tried to settle on this island, but without success. Some say this is because the island is inhabited by spirits.
Pulau Kukup is today the home of countless species of wildlife. Among these are the playful monkeys, the quiet mudskipper or the nosy wild boars.
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| (The gang boarding a ferry to Kukup National Park) |
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| (Kelong Fish Farm with varieties of fish to choose) |
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| (A home-stay on the old floating fishing village) |
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| (Arriving at Kukup Island jetty) |
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| (Tickets to enter and explore the National Park) |
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| (Pulau Kukup is shaped like a palm with 6 fingers!) |
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| (The jetty with basic amenities) |
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| (A group photo at Kukup National Park) |
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| (A place to rest and relax, tranquil and serene) |
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| (The pathway leading to the entrance to the National Park) |
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| (An island of Mangroves and mudflats) |
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| (Protected as a National Park under the Johor State Park Corporation) |
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| (Pulau Kukup is one of the biggest inhabited mangrove sites) |
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| (Declared as a RAMSAR site in 2003) |
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| (One of the many mangrove species) |
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| (There are various species of wildlife too) |
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| (The many small resting huts in the mangrove jungle) |
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| (A well-maintained pathway into the mangrove jungle) |
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| (Ready to board the ferry back to the mainland) |
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| (Happy faces on board!) |
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| (A famous Kukup Seafood Restaurant on stilts) |
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| (Ready to go to our next destination) |
Our next destination is Tanjung Piai situated at a cape in Pontian District, Johor. Tanjung Piai is one of the five Ramsar sites in Malaysia. Tanjung Piai is also an important nature site in Johor, being the 3rd designated park of Johor National Park Corporation. Tanjung Piai has high socio-economic value for fisheries. The site also has high ecotourism potential, attracting many visitors.
Located on the southernmost tip of mainland Asia, the skyline of Singapore is visible across the Johor Strait from the point. It features resorts and seafood restaurants, perched on wooden jetties that are surrounded by a rugged and rarefied coastline of unspoiled mangrove forests.
Under the Ramsar Convention, the government and relevant stakeholders have an obligation to ensure the mangrove ecosystem and its values are maintained. Erosion at the site needs to be minimized to safeguard the ecological integrity of the mangrove ecosystem. The root causes of the erosion need to be eliminated or reduced.
It is also an important habitat for migratory and resident birds. These include the IUCN-listed vulnerable species, such as the Lesser Adjutant Stork. It is part of the Important Bird Area of southwest Johor, which extends from Parit Jawa to Tanjung Piai. The southwest Johor mangroves are ecologically important as a natural barrier for protecting the inland villages and agricultural lands from storm events, including tsunamis.
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