JOHOR'S NATURE PARKS Nature lovers and recreation seekers have reasons to cheer when they are in Johor. The state has several sites which are declared national parks: the lowland dipterocarp forest of Endau-Rompin National Park, Mersing district; the legendary Gunung Ledang, Muar district; and the swampy wetland sanctuary of Pulau Kukup, Pontian district. The Endau Rompin National Park is already well visited for its natural wonders such as the indigenous fan palm which is taller than a man, the 248-million-old rock formation, the legendary waterfalls, a DANCED (Danish Cooperation for Environment and Development) sponsored Nature Education & Research Centre. Other educational facilities are an arboretum, an exhibition gallery and an ethno-botanic park. In fact, the whole forest is filled with countless species of flora and fauna that are carefully protected for sustainable tourism development. | 
|
|
An alternative site for nature study and education has been developed in Gunung Ledang (known as Gunung Ledang Legendary Park), whereas Pulau Kukup, with one of the world’s longest reserves of mangrove swamp, is being developed into a wetland sanctuary. These three eco-tourism destinations ; Endau Rompin National Park, Gunung Ledang Legendary Park and Pulau Kukup are growing in popularity and are expected to bring this sector of Johor tourism to unprecedented importance and success. |
The legend of Gunung Ledang, Muar, is about a pretty and smart princess who spurned a marriage offer by a Malacca Sultan with her ingenuity and brevity. This attracts a string of tourists for day trips, picnicking, camping or summit scaling. Tales of supernatural encounters make the forest even more mysterious and appealing. Another mysterious mountain is Gunung Belumut, Kluang. Gunung Arong, Mersing, is the favourite activity destination for uniform groups. Recreational forests such as Gunung Pulai, Johor Bahru, Soga Perdana, Batu Pahat, and Gunung Lambak, Kluang, Gunung Panti, Kota Tinggi are frequented by town dwellers as they are located close to urban areas. The state’s hot springs fireflies, waterfalls, rivers and estuaries are tourist attractions themselves that support an array of tourism related activities. Each district has its own town parks with lakes, green lawns and supporting facilities and amenities to provide convenient places for residents and visitors to relax, exercise, or organised family or group outings. Some of these parks have since been fully utilized to organize regional and even international events, such as the annual Pasir Gudang International Kite Carnival in Bukit Layang Layang, Johor Bahru district, and Asia Pacific Orchids Exhibition and Competition in Hutan Bandar, also in Johor Bahru district. |
