With a mission to promote environmental awareness to create better understanding and appreciation for the natural marine heritage of Johor, Kelab Alami Mukim Tg Kupang has now launched Alami Academy and the Kelab Alami Nature and Heritage Centre (KANHC).
In 2008, Kelab Alami, a non-governmental organisation was founded by Shalan Jum’at, a community leader in Tanjung Kupang, Pendas and his wife Dr Serina Rahman, a conservation scientist and environmental anthropologist.
Since its inception, Kelab Alami has successfully documented the natural and cultural heritage of the area while empowering the youth about eco-tourism and environmental conservation. The club educates the local youth about the importance of natural resources in the Johor Straits, such as RAMSAR mangrove forests and seagrass meadows, and the youths of Kelab Alami can then use ecotourism to transform their knowledge and commitment to protect their local environment into income and community resilience.
The surrounding areas of Pendas and Tanjung Kupang has a thriving population of marine life such as sea horse, starfish and other species apart from the rich sea grass nearby Pulau Merambung and the Sungai Pulai.
The Nature and Heritage Centre will serve as an information centre and exhibition gallery, laboratory and storage area while the Academy will facilitate raising awareness on the coastal habitats of the area.
Dr Serina and Kelab Alami are both recipients of the Iskandar Malaysia Social Hero Awards (IMSHA) which recognised their outstanding achievements and commitments to the environment and community empowerment efforts.
For more information, reach Kelab Alami via Facebook at www.facebook.com/KelabAlamiMukimTgKupang or speak to Nur Afiqah (014-2770757) / Mohd Irfan (013-7148861).
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