There will be no developments at Tanjung Tuan promised Malacca State Tourism Committee chairman Abdul Rahaman Abdul Karim.
“The forest reserve will be left as it is today for the benefit of the environment, next generation and eco-tourism,” he added.
Tanjung Tuan Forest Reserve, located at the stretch of Negri Sembilan’s famous beachside, Port Dickson, is the last remaining patch of coastal forest on the western coastline.
“As the stop-over spot for the migratory raptors, Tanjung Tuan has the potential to be international promoted as an eco-tourism destination,” he added.
He made the promise in his speech at the official launching of the Raptors Watch Week 2006 at Ilham Resort at Tanjung Tuan, some 15km from Port Dickson.
The annual event was jointly organised by the Malacca State Tourism Promotion Unit and the Malaysian Nature Society in celebration of the continued conservation of the forest reserve and the return of the birds of prey.
Every year, from early March to mid April, tens of thousands of raptors use Tanjung Tuan Forest Reserve as a stop-over point on their migration route back to the northern hemisphere.
Birds like the Oriental Honey Buzzard, Grey-faced Buzzard, Japanese Sparrowhawk, Chinese Goshawk and Black Baza usually leave their breeding grounds for Southeast Asia to escape the punishing winter months.
On their return journey to the north in spring, tired raptors stop to rest at Tanjung Tuan and a host of others fly low over the forest reserve, providing some of the best opportunities to see them up close.
Visitors to the weekend event were also treated to guided forest walks, games and competitions, public talks and video presentations on avian and nature-related topics.
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