Issues

Tourism development and conservation on a fragile island

Langkawi has been promoted as a major tourism destination in Malaysia.  Over the last two decades, Langkawi has gone through tremendous physical development to provide better infrastructure and facilities for tourism.  Intensive and inappropriately planned development has resulted in environmental degradation and loss of biodiversity in many areas on the island.

This project’s major involvement includes protected area enhancement, sustainable fishing through co-management, education and awareness on marine issues and conservation.  There is an urgent need to protect this island from rapid and unsustainable development.  Otherwise, the loss of healthy and intact marine and coastal ecosystems would gravely affect Langkawi’s social and economic well-being.