Kota Kinabalu wetlands: towards its Ramsar status

Guslia Lahasing; Rita Ignatius; Ann Anton

Kota Kinabalu wetlands: towards its Ramsar status

2016

Guslia Lahasing | Rita Ignatius | Ann Anton

Kota Kinabalu Wetlands (KKW), a 24 hectare mangrove area located in the heart of Kota Kinabalu city, is managed by the Sabah Wetlands Conservation Society (SWCS), a Not-for Profit Organisation. KKW is governed by a Management Committee consisting of elected members and ex-officio from relevant government agencies and WWF-Malaysia. This unique collaborative partnership provides diverse expertise needed for achieving its aims. Since its official opening to the public in March 2000 until 2014, more than 150,000 local and international visitors have visited KKW, and more than 30,000 students have participated in its Environmental Education Programme. Acting as a biodiversity reservoir, KKW supports more than 92 species of resident and migratory birds, various reptilian species, 12 species of mangrove trees, and other marine life-forms. KKW was nominated as a Ramsar site in 2013, and is currently pursuing Ramsar status as Wetlands of International Importance. This paper describes the crucial timeline of Kota Kinabalu Wetlands, the introduction of SWCS Management, efforts for biodiversity conservation, environmental education activities as well as the achievements and challenges encountered over the past 15 years.

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