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Natural resources

Johor's First Wildlife Crossing to Protect Road Users and Preserve Ecosystem

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The Malaysian state of Johor is constructing its first wildlife crossing along Federal Route FT50, aimed at safeguarding both road users and the natural ecosystem. The RM66 million project, led by State Health and Environment Committee chairman Ling Tiang Soon, will feature an eight-metre-high, 200-metre-long overpass bridge to allow wildlife to cross safely. The crossing will be built in an area with significant video recordings of animals such as Malayan tigers, elephants, Malayan tapirs, and leopards crossing the route.

Key Takeaways:

  • The wildlife crossing project, worth RM66 million, is being built along Federal Route FT50 in Johor, Malaysia, to protect both road users and the ecosystem.
  • The project includes the construction of an eight-metre-high, 200-metre-long overpass bridge, as well as vegetation planting beneath the overpass to guide wildlife to cross via the dedicated route.
  • The area is a common route for wildlife moving between the Labis Forest Reserve to Mersing and the Panti and Kota Tinggi Forest Reserves, known as the Central Forest Spine (CFS).
  • The project is expected to be completed by February 2028, with the tender process and tree-clearing works already underway.
  • The state government prioritizes natural ecology conservation projects, with various initiatives implemented through government departments and government-linked companies (GLCs) to maintain ecological balance while developing economically.
  • The wildlife crossing will help to reduce road accidents involving vehicles colliding with wildlife, with authorities viewing this project as necessary to safeguard both motorists and animals.

Statistics:

  • Total cost of the project: RM66 million
  • Length of the overpass bridge: 200 metres
  • Height of the overpass bridge: eight metres
  • Area of the forest where the crossing will be built: 3,100 hectares
  • Number of hectares of the forest area that serves as an important habitat for wildlife: 31,000 hectares
  • Estimated completion date of the project: February 2028

Sources:

  • Bernama, Johor to Build State's First Wildlife Crossing Along FT50 (2023),
  • Facebook post by Ling Tiang Soon, Chairman of Johor State Health and Environment Committee (2023)

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