Protected areas of Johor

The state of Johor in Malaysia is noted for its national parks and forest reserves which preserve virgin rainforests known for its biodiversity and endangered species of animals. Mangrove swamps and coral reefs are also protected within these parks.

National parks

Endau Rompin National Park

Main article: Endau Rompin National Park

Endau Rompin National Park is located on the Johor-Pahang border (2°26′20″N 103°16′22″E / 2.438915°N 103.272858°E / 2.438915; 103.272858 (Endau Rompin National Park)). The park takes it name from the Endau and Rompin rivers that flow through the park. It is the second largest national park in Peninsular Malaysia after Taman Negara, covering 489 km² with approximately 26 km of jungle trails within the park. The most famous trail is a 16 km trail that starts at Kuala Jasin and ends at Batu Hampar. Other sites of interest in the park are Opeh Guling waterfall, Buaya Sangkut waterfall and salt licks around Gunung Tiong. There are two entry points to the park with one at Kampung Peta and the other at Nitar. There are two other rivers, Selai and Jasin rivers, that flows through the park.

Gunung Ledang National Park

Gunung Ledang National Park is situated 170 km from Johor Bahru and has an area of 107 km² (2°20′29″N 102°34′26″E / 2.341496°N 102.573853°E / 2.341496; 102.573853 (Gunung Ledang National Park)). The park has two entry points, one in Sagil, Johor and the other in Asahan, Melaka. Gunung Ledang's peak, which is 1276 m above sea level is the highest point in the park and Johor. Gunung Ledang is also the 64th highest mountain in Malaysia and arguably the most climbed mountain in the country. Sagil waterfall, which is also in the park is a famous picnic site.

Tanjung Piai National Park

Tanjung Piai National Park is situated on the southern-most tip of mainland Asia (1°16′03″N 103°30′37″E / 1.267530°N 103.510265°E / 1.267530; 103.510265 (Tanjung Piai National Park)). Its name is derived from an indigenous wild fern, 'Piai Raya' or Acrostichum aureum and 'Piai Iasa' or A.speciosum. It is famous as a feeding ground for migratory birds like the Sandpiper, Whimbrel, Common Redshank, Greenshank and Grey Plover ('Pluvialis squatarola'). It has also been gazetted as a World RAMSAR site. Besides migratory birds, it is also a haven for mangrove crabs, mudskippers and crab-eating macaques.

Pulau Kukup National Park

Pulau Kukup National Park comprises 15 km² of mangrove and mudflats. It is situated close to Tanjong Piai National Park (1°19′11″N 103°25′38″E / 1.319616°N 103.427353°E / 1.319616; 103.427353 (Pulau Kukup National Park)).

Mersing Marine Park

Mersing Marine Park consists of 13 South China Sea islands off the east coast of mainland Johor (2°17′44″N 104°06′58″E / 2.295528°N 104.116058°E / 2.295528; 104.116058 (Mersing Marine Park)). The islands are Pulau Harimau, Pulau Mensirip, Pulau Goal, Pulau Besar, Pulau Tengah, Pulau Hujong, Pulau Rawa, Pulau Tinggi, Pulau Mentinggi, Pulau Sibu, Pulau Sibu Hujung, Pulau Pemanggil and Pulau Aur. These islands are situated south of the more famous Pulau Tioman in Pahang.

Reserves

Gunung Pulai Recreational Forest

Gunung Pulai Recreational Forest is one of the smaller parks with an area of 80 square kilometres. It is a catchment area and the closest forest reserve to Johor Bahru. A popular attraction is Pulai waterfall. (1°34′50″N 103°32′46″E / 1.580457°N 103.546143°E / 1.580457; 103.546143 (Gunung Pulai Recreational Forest))

Gunung Arong Recreational Forest

Gunong Arong (120 meters) is the main feature of this park. It is 17km from Mersing and 22 km from Endau. It also has a Forestry Museum on site. (2°33′44″N 103°48′27″E / 2.5622216°N 103.807497°E / 2.5622216; 103.807497 (Gunung Arong Recreational Forest))

Gunung Lambak Recreational Forest

It is a recreational forest near Kluang. The main feature of the park is Gunung Lambak (510 m).(1°59′07″N 103°21′34″E / 1.985381°N 103.359375°E / 1.985381; 103.359375 (Gunung Lambak Recreational Forest))

Gunung Belumut (Moss Mountain) Recreational Forest

Gunung Belumut (Moss Mountain) Recreational Forest (2°01′47″N 103°32′23″E / 2.029643°N 103.539619°E / 2.029643; 103.539619 (Gunung Belmut Recreational Forest)) is based around the mountain, from which it gets its name. It is situated 32 km from Kluang. Gunung Belumut (1010m) has a 6 km path to the mountain's peak, which takes approximately four hours to reach. The park also has a unique rock formation, called Crown Rock (Batu Mahkota), which looks like a giant crown.

Gunung Panti Recreational Forest

It is noted for its wild orchids and birds. Besides that, the southern-most mountain in Peninsular Malaysia is also in this park. (1°50′53″N 103°51′09″E / 1.848129°N 103.852386°E / 1.848129; 103.852386 (Gunung Panti Recreational Forest))

Sungai Sedili Besar and Sungai Sedili Kecil Wetland Preservation

It is another wetland area for the protection of migratory birds. This freshwater mangrove swamp has an area of 1.5 km².

Sungai Lebam Wetland Preservation

It is a vast mangrove swamp where clams and fireflies are conserved. Fireflies congregate at the Berembang trees in the swamp. This wetland is near Kota Tinggi and approximately 91 km from Johor Bahru.