Future of Likas Wetlands, one of world’s only two city mangrove Ramsar sites, hangs in balance with mega project next door

KOTA KINABALU, Aug 17 — The Likas Wetlands – only two of its kind in the world located within a city and enjoys global Ramsar status – may cease to exist within 15 years if nothing is done to prevent polluted water from a nearby mega project infiltrating the 24-hectare gazetted site and killing the vegetation.

Sabah Wetland Conservation Society President, Datuk Zainie Abdul Aucasa who sounded the alarm bell was apparently referring to massive development coming up in the vicinity near Hakka Hall in Likas.

Speaking at the World Mangrove Day celebration, he cited its own Consultant’s Report at the event and hoped the Society would not have to resort to taking the authorities to court like in 2015 when they “approved a 31-storey condominium just outside our wetlands”.

The verdict was later overturned by the High Court on grounds of no Locus Standi (no right to sue).

Zaini said the Society would not waver or fail from its commitment to preserving the mangroves in the KK wetlands and defending its Ramsar status, the wetlands equivalent of World Heritage site.

“Together with our Consultant, my team and others went to see the relevant Minister, including the Chief Minister, who was very accommodating and even suggested that we form a Task Force.

“But I am still waiting for the first meeting. We have also met with the Mayor,” Zainie said.

“We have been very busy writing to all the relevant ministries. We wrote to the Ministry of Tourism, to all the agencies under the Ministry, EPD (Environmental Protection Department).

“Wildlife (Sabah Wildlife Department) and of course DBKK, attaching the Consultant’s Report of the threat the Ramsar site is facing (because of the latest project).”

“We want everybody’s support,” Zainie said, citing the distinction of Kota Kinabalu Wetlands being one of only two city mangrove Ramsar Sites in the world, the other being the 40-ha Yatsu-Higata Ramsar Site tidal flat in Chiba, Tokyo.

However, the KK Ramsar site comes out way ahead for being located directly within the city centre and featuring a much higher density of towering mangrove trees and fauna.

Mayor Dato’ Sri Dr Hj Subdin Samitah said: “The mangroves are an essential part of our coastal environment, its presence reminds us that the growth of a city must go hand in hand with the protection of its natural environment, but their protection cannot be achieved by any single organisation.”

He was represented by Ms Syron Tunggolou, Director of City Environmental Health Department, DBKK.

A large group of UMS students planted mangroves afterwards, UMS Forestry lecturer, Dr B Ahmad, SWCS deputy President, Rizal Ahmad, Organising Chairperson Renee Chin, Sabah Society Chairman Edwin Liew, WWF rep Ms Tan Hui Shim and sponsors from Borenos were present.