By Amar Shah Mohsen
KLANG, Sept 22 — As part of efforts to promote one of Selangor’s newer tourism destinations, Mangrove Point, state subsidiary Landasan Lumayan Sdn Bhd (LLSB) has included the eco-haven park amongst the stops for the Sungai Klang River Educational Trip (RIT) programme.
LLSB corporate services officer (communications) Suhailah Shamsudin said the ecotourism and educational centre, located near Port Klang, has been earmarked as a designated stop before the start of the river trip.
The move is also because the jetty meant for the RIT programme has yet to be completed.
“As such, we make an active effort to showcase the park to organisations and visitors first before the boat ride,” she told Selangor Journal.
RIT is a programme under the Selangor Maritime Gateway (SMG) master plan, a state initiative to rehabilitate and rejuvenate Sungai Klang.
LLSB is the master developer appointed to implement key activities in the development of the river.
Suhailah said LLSB has also organised several clean-up programmes with non-governmental organisations, partners, and universities at Mangrove Point, in a bid to promote the destination and encourage environmental stewardship.
The collaborators include Kelab Belia Prihatin, environmental advocacy groups AirKita and EcoKnights, and education institutions Management and Science University (MSU) and UCSI University.
She said multiple exclusive events have also been hosted at Mangrove Point, including a media visit with state executive councillor for agriculture Izham Hashim and a working visit by Energy and Natural Resources Ministry officials.
LLSB also uses social media to promote the park. Among others, an #ExploreMangrovePoint photography competition was held before its official opening to the public on July 26.
“Social media is our biggest friend. Most of our shoutouts about Mangrove Point are on our platforms,” Suhailah said, adding the public can obtain further information via SMG’s Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn accounts.
During a media visit to Sungai Klang organised jointly by LLSB and Tourism Selangor yesterday, she revealed a total of 2,000 individuals had visited Mangrove Point since March last year.
“To continue promoting awareness of the importance of taking care of the environment, the public is encouraged to come and learn about the mangrove forest ecosystem,” Suhailah said.
Mangrove Point was officially opened to the public on July 26, in conjunction with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation’s International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem.
However, the site has welcomed visitors taking part in clean-up programmes as well as organisational and public visits since March 2022, even though it was not fully developed yet.
Mangrove Point, which is open for visits from 7am to 7pm daily, was presented with the Malaysia Landscape Architecture Awards under the Landscape Analysis and Study category in 2019.
At Mangrove Point, visitors can immerse themselves in the embrace of nature via a carefully crafted one-kilometre boardwalk loop, allowing them to explore the lush mangrove forest alongside Sungai Klang.
Thoughtfully positioned resting spaces along the walkways encourage visitors to appreciate the surrounding natural beauty, while observation decks specially designed for bird watching provide an up-close encounter with the vibrant avian life.
