WWF-MALAYSIA WANTS PULAU UPEH DECLARED TURTLE SANCTUARY

KUALA LUMPUR, July 6 (Bernama) -- A national conservation trust has asked
the Melaka government to gazette Pulau Upeh as a turtle sanctuary as the
island's beaches are popular nesting sites of the Hawksbill turtle.

WWF-Malaysia said the gazetting of the island must go in tandem with a good
management plan and effective implementation of conservation at each of the
nesting sites.

It said in a statement that Pulau Upeh also had the potential to become a
major eco-tourism draw, and welcomed the recent assurance by the Melaka
government to adapt any physical development on the island to the turtle
ecology.

"The recognition accorded to Pulau Upeh as the primary nesting ground of the
threatened Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) is an encouraging measure
as any development on the island will not undermine the habitat of the marine
animal," it said.
Pulau Upeh (Island of Upeh) is a tiny island is located near Klebang town in
Melaka.
-- BERNAMA