KUALA LUMPUR, Feb. 3 (Xinhua) -- Malaysia will remain steadfast in protecting its world-recognized wetlands due to their key economic and environmental role, Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Arthur Joseph Kurup said on Monday.
Noting that Malaysia contains seven wetland areas recognized by the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands and their intrinsic relationship with cultural practices, traditions, and community knowledge systems around the world, Kurup said in a statement that these are not just protected zones.
"Wetland ecosystems offer high conservation values encompassing economic benefits from natural resources and tourism, as well as important ecosystem functions such as flood insulation, water hold, coastal protection and carbon storage," he said.
"The recognition by the Ramsar Convention also reflects the importance of the wetland ecosystem as well as the role of local communities and stakeholders in the efforts to preserve the wetland ecosystems in the country," he said. ■
