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
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). 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). 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 southernmost tip of mainland Asia (1°16′03″N 103°30′37″E / 1.267530°N 103.510265°E). Its name is derived from an indigenous wild fern, piai raya (Acrostichum aureum) and piai iasa (Acrostichum speciosum). It is famous as a feeding ground for migratory birds like the sandpiper, whimbrel, common redshank, greenshank and grey plover. It has also been gazetted as a 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).
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). 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 cachment 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)
Gunung Arong Recreational Forest
Gunong Arong (274 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 / 2.562222°N 103.807497°E)
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)
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) 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)
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.