Article: Haven for migratory birds

Friday May 22, 2009

By HAMDAN RAJA ABDULLAH

THE Johor Government has made May its eco-tourism month in a move to protect and promote its ecology-related tourism products.

State Tourism, Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Committee chairman Hoo Seong Chang said the move was aimed at instilling the im-portance of ecology and nature in the people.

He said the state decided to launch its Second World Migratory Bird Day celebration in Parit Jawa as this coastal area attracted migratory birds.

"There are about 55 migratory bird species passing through the country annually, and some 44 species make stops in Parit Jawa.

"This is a large number and we plan to protect the environment here to ensure it remains attractive to the birds," he said after launching the celebration here recently.

Hoo said the bird species including the lesser adjutants, herons and eagles made regular visits to mangrove swamps along the Parit Jawa estuary.

Besides Parit Jawa, the birds make stops in Taiping, Perak.

In order to preserve the birds, Hoo urged local residents not to destroy the coastal ecology.

In conjunction with the celebration, the committee is organising a bird photography competition.

The event is open to local and international photographers. All the photographs must be captured within the state.

Hoo said the committee would engage experts to evaluate the photos. Closing date for the competition is Sept 30.

He said the winners would be notified and the prizes would be presented in Parit Jawa in October during the second visit of the migratory birds.

The Tourism Ministry has also allocated RM310,000 for a bird-watching tower in Parit Jawa and hopes it will be completed by then.

Meanwhile, hundreds of nature lovers from outside Johor visited Parit Jawa to watch the migratory birds feeding on mud flats at the estuary.

Insurance agent Foo Ah Wah, 60, from Johor Baru, came with several friends to take photos of the birds.

"We are amateur photographers and truly enjoy capturing the birds on camera," he said.

This article was taken from: The Star Online: Metro: North 22 May 2009