Pulau Tanjung Surat has become well known for its mangrove forest conservation efforts. — Photos: THOMAS YONG/The Star
PULAU Tanjung Surat in Kota Tinggi, Johor, may not appear on most tourist maps but over the years, the island has been attracting foreign and local visitors including researchers, thanks to its mangrove forest.
Located just off the southeastern coast of Johor, the island sits in Sungai Johor, about 70km from Johor Baru.
It is accessible via a short boat ride from the Tanjung Belungkor jetty, which is about 90 minutes from the capital city.
What awaits is not a resort but something far more enriching.
A Pulau Tanjung Surat fisherman showing samples of his catch. The mangrove forest has resulted in a proliferation of fish, crabs and other sea creatures in local waters.
Pulau Tanjung Surat is a living example of how a small community can drive environmental change, restore ecosystems and build a sustainable local economy from the ground up.
Over the last few years, the island has emerged as a symbol of grassroots conservation, thanks to the unwavering efforts of its villagers.
These efforts were recognised earlier this year when the island was chosen to host delegates during the Asean Tourism Forum, a nod to its growing reputation as a model for ecotourism.
Badariah holding the jeruju leaf and mangrove saplings.
Behind the polished presentations and accolades lies a story that began with a simple yet powerful idea of planting mangrove trees which could save both the environment and the community.
Pertubuhan Sahabat Hutan Bakau Pulau Tanjung Surat (PSHBPTS) members, who are villagers, have been planting mangrove trees as part of their conservation efforts to protect the island’s ecosystem.
To date, PSHBPTS has planted over 84,000 mangrove trees within the island coastlines since its inception in 2018.
The group is still growing and actively planting mangrove trees.
Its chairman Badariah Ayob, 50, said the idea of planting mangrove trees on the island came from previous penghulu mukim Azmir Mad Razuki, who kick-started the initiative.
“He called a meeting with us villagers and told us about planting mangrove trees, not only to rehabilitate the island’s ecosystem but also as a means for us to generate income.
“Initially, many of us found the idea of planting trees a bit strange because we assumed that mangrove trees grew on their own,” she said.
Badariah said Azmir did not give up on urging the villagers to learn about the environmental importance of mangrove trees.
Handicraft products made by villagers such as the ‘bubu’ crab trap are among the souvenirs available at Galeri Bakau.
As a result, about 40 villagers attended a course in Kuala Gula, Perak, on how to plant and cultivate mangrove trees.
“We went there to learn from the experts. However, when we came back, only 27 started planting mangrove trees,” said Badariah.
“About a year later, these villagers formed PSHBPTS, which is registered with the Registrar of Societies.”
Armed with their acquired knowledge, the villagers began planting mangrove saplings along the coast and in abandoned ponds.
Badariah said they learned how to care for the fragile seedlings, create nurseries and track growth cycles.
With mangrove trees planted by the group, the once-degraded shorelines now hum with life.
“The mangrove forest is now more than just a buffer against storms.
“It has become very important to us villagers in generating income.
“The trees are doing well in seven ponds and in our nursery. We always work hard to ensure they are healthy,” she said, adding that PSHBPTS had since partnered with private corporations, government agencies and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to fund and expand its work.
Badariah also said that ecotourism on the island was now thriving with visitors from universities, schools and NGOs coming regularly for guided tours, mangrove-planting events and educational workshops.
“Some come from Singapore as they are curious to see how we do it. They want to learn and some want to help.”
PSHBPTS now supplies saplings to other places in Johor such as Muar, Mersing, Tanjung Langsat, and to states like Perak, Selangor and Penang, she said.
“There are 17 species of mangrove trees in Malaysia and in Pulau Tanjung Surat, we have nine of them,” she added.
Badariah said the group also saw economic potential in the jeruju (Acanthus spp.) – a type of mangrove with medicinal properties.
Its leaves are dried, packaged and sent to a factory in Perak to be turned into herbal tea, coffee and soap.
“Every week, we send between 10 to 20kg of dried jeruju leaves. Visitors love the tea and often buy it to take home.”
Badariah said with the mangrove forest, eroded land had stabilised, while creatures such as birds, crabs, fish and sea cucumbers had returned in large numbers.
“Our sea cucumbers are big and in demand. Fishermen catch about 200 to 300 of them, freeze them and sell them to visitors.
“Some villagers have found new income by processing the sea cucumbers, which are smoked, dried or cooked into nourishing soups, rich in protein and collagen.
“These sea cucumbers are good for skin and joints. Some even say it keeps you looking young,” she said.
According to Badariah, the impact of the mangrove to the villagers is undeniable – what was once a remote island with limited opportunities is now a hub of environmental innovation and hope.
“Twenty years ago, sending our children to university was just a dream but now, because of the mangroves and sea cucumbers, it has become a reality,” she said.
Villager Hasan Kasin, 55, said he was proud of the island’s progress, affirming that the mangrove forest had made their lives better.
He said working with other villagers to plant mangrove trees made it easier.
Besides planting mangrove trees, Hasan also makes bubu – a traditional bamboo crab trap, which he sells as souvenirs to visitors.
“Many people from outside Kota Tinggi know where Pulau Tanjung Surat is, but those living nearby on the mainland are unsure where the island is.”
He said he was sure that with time, the mangrove forests would put the island on Johor’s tourism map.
