Conserving turtle island

Conserving turtle island

The Malacca Government is planning to turn the deserted Pulau Upeh into a centre for Hawksbill turtle conservation as well as an eco-tourism attraction.

The island is the country’s main landing site for the critically-endangered sea turtle species which belongs to the Cheloniidae family.

State Rural Development and Agriculture committee chairman R. Perumal said the state government would acquire and renovate abandoned chalets at the island for the purpose of turning the island into a turtle watching site.

“We hope to work with a private firm, especially Petronas for this purpose so planned development can be carried out on upgrading the 120 chalets which were abandoned for almost a decade as well as the construction of new accommodations,” he said after attending a one-day turtle watching programme at the island organised by state Fisheries Department early Tuesday morning.

Perumal said any development at the island should be properly planned to avoid destroying the eco-system at the site.

“The island was initially bought by a company and was supposed to be turned into its training centre but the plan did not materialise, he said.

Perumal said the state government would also inject several conservative programmes to encourage the island as the main landing point for the turtles.

“Therefore, the development at the site should be carried-out very carefully as any elaborate expansion at the island can be detrimental for the turtles.

“We will see that work on turning the island as turtle watching site begins soon.

“The shores around the island will be preserved for turtle conservation” he said.

Perumal said Pulau Upeh had the potential to become a major tourism attraction for the state in view of its proximity being close to the Klebang shoreline.

“The island is also a stone’s throw away from mainland as it can be accessed via boat from Sungai Melaka or Parameswara jetty,” he said.

Perumal added foreigners could visit the island to catch a glimpse of the Hawksbill turtle laying their eggs, adding his office would work closely with the state Tourism Promotion Board to come up with interesting packages for tourists to visit Pulau Upeh.

Every year, between 200 to 300 Hawksbill turtle nests are identified in Pulau Upeh and the nearby beaches.

This population is significant as it is the largest nesting congregation in South East Asia.

～News courtesy of The Star～