Introduction

Source: Wetlands International Malaysia

Malaysia is a tropical country that has an expansive area of wetlands due to its long coastline. As of today, there are 105 wetland sites in the country listed under the Malaysian Wetland Directory.

In 1994, Malaysia agreed to be a part of the Ramsar Convention on Protection of Wetlands. Tasek Bera was nominated as the country's first Ramsar site. Situated in Pahang, Tasek Bera is the largest natural freshwater lake in Peninsula Malaysia.

Malaysia currently has five Ramsar sites. Johor holds the largest with three sites located at Sg. Pulai, Pulau Kukup and Tanjung Piai. The mangrove area north of Kuching is the most recent inclusion into the Ramsar list. (Wetlands International Malaysia, 2007)

The wetlands in the country are facing threats due to pollution, land use conversion and land reclamation. The mangroves and peat swamps need our utmost attention to help preserve them.

References:
Wetlands International Malaysia, 2007. Wetlands of Malaysia. [online] Available at: <http://malaysia.wetlands.org/OurWetlands/WetlandsofMalaysia/tabid/506/Default.aspx> [Accessed on 2 December 2013]