MANGROVE Point, a park located within a mangrove forest setting in Port Klang, Selangor, is a new ecotourism attraction slated to open to visitors in early 2022.The 28ha park is touted as the first of its kind in Malaysia that is designed based on a biophilic concept, which incorporates nature into the built environment to create restorative and connective spaces.
Mangrove Point is being developed under the Selangor Maritime Gateway project by Selangor government, through Landasan Lumayan Sdn Bhd together with the Selangor Forestry Department (JPNS).
The park is about 80% complete.
“The cost to develop Mangrove Point is about RM10mil,” said Selangor infrastructure, public amenities, agriculture modernisation and agro-based industry committee chairman Izham Hashim.
He said the opening was delayed due to the movement control order and that the original 18-month projected completion period took about two-and-a-half years instead because of movement restrictions.
When the park opens in stages next year, some of the available attractions include a 1.6km-long boardwalk, glamping sites and a jetty where visitors can take a river taxi.
“Beyond that, we will consider having a tower for birdwatching and tree tagging, with the help of JPNS or Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) to identify some of the key tree species here,” said Izham.
He elaborated that there could be some mangrove trees aged more than 50 or 100 years old here.
“Plants such as pokok api-api (firefly mangrove tree) and pokok berembang (crabapple mangrove tree) can also be found in the area.
“We are open to other suggestions for other attractions and activities, but they must maintain the park’s authenticity and ecotourism concept,” he said.
The entire Selangor Maritime Gateway project focuses on the revival of Sungai Klang, which includes cleaning, rehabilitating and sustainably rejuvenating areas along the river ecosystem to make it attractive for tourism, investments and liveability.
“We have identified about 202ha of land along the riverfront for various types of development, including affordable homes.
“This is a first-of-its-kind concept in Malaysia, where a river serves as the theme for development.
“It took almost 11 years for the Gateway project to take shape,” said Izham.
He said if the Sungai Klang model was a success, it would be replicated along other rivers.
He added that there were many things planned for next year, subject to the Covid-19 situation, and that the activities and development along the river were at planning and finalisation stages.
Izham, who is also Landasan Lumayan Sdn Bhd chairman, had visited Mangrove Point with Selangor Maritime Gateway board members during a tour of several places under the project.
In achieving a biophilic design, one of the key considerations for Mangrove Point was controlled development and minimal disruption to the existing area.
The park received an honour award under the Professional Category (Malaysian) Landscape Analysis and Study Awards category at the Malaysia Landscape Architecture Awards held in April 2019.
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