LOCATION: MERSING & PULAU BESAR, JOHOR

Tengah Island Conservation (TIC) is a science-based, community-driven conservation initiative based in Mersing Johor, Malaysia. As a non-profit organization, TIC is dedicated to preserving and restoring the environment and the island’s rich biodiversity through a holistic approach that integrates environmental protection, sustainable practices, and community engagement.

TIC conducts scientific research and long-term monitoring of marine and terrestrial ecosystems, focusing on endangered species such as sea turtles, dugongs, seagrasses, and coral reefs. Through its RUMAH EKO model, TIC promotes zero-waste initiatives by integrating recycling, environmental education, and community collaboration. The organization also supports sustainable tourism by developing eco-tourism practices that benefit both nature and local communities. Through ongoing education and outreach, TIC empowers individuals and stakeholders to take meaningful action for a more sustainable future.

Working in partnership with local communities, government bodies, researchers, and international collaborators, TIC is committed to fostering a resilient island environment where people and nature thrive in harmony.

2024 Project – Strengthening Reef to Rainforest Sustainable Tourism in Johor and Improving Sustainable Tourism Island Waste Management.

The Tengah Island Conservation (TIC)’s project on Pulau Besar has built a strong foundation for local community involvement in a sustainable waste management system. The Besar Bersih Eco-Learning Centre (Rumah Eko) is now equipped with essential tools and educational materials to allow TIC to host workshops on waste management. This initiative formed a community-employed waste management team. The local community’s capacity was also built through workshops and events, promoting marine conservation and sustainable tourism. The team also organized a large-scale clean-up at Rapang Beach, which removed 427.4 kg of trash. Ongoing clean-ups across the Besar Cluster Islands have also eliminated 3,839 kg of marine debris, highlighting the impact of collective action. The project enabled the employment of a waste management team, including local community members, to support its initiatives and provide meaningful employment opportunities for the local community. Boats were hired from Mersing to transport waste collected from Besar Island to the Clean and Happy Recycle Centre in Mersing, ensuring proper recycling and disposal. Additionally, a Precious Plastics Machine was delivered to the Eco-Learning Centre, which can convert waste into other products. This machine will also allow TIC to engage with more audiences on waste-to-wealth initiatives.

Educational activities under this project included hands-on experiences in marine conservation and sustainable tourism for community members and schools. TIC organized soap-making workshops, a pop-up booth at Mersing International Conservation Day 2024, and Sea Turtle awareness programmes for schools. A dedicated vehicle for roadshows was procured to enhance outreach by facilitating several visits to schools where volunteers from the community delivered Pasukan Pendidik Ekologi dan Alam Sekitar (PEDAS) programmes. By providing reliable transportation, the vehicle played a crucial role in connecting volunteers with educational institutions, fostering community engagement, and promoting environmental awareness. As part of the effort to diversify the STNM website content, TIC also published nine articles covering local heritage preservation, ethical travel, scuba diving, and the role of tourism in promoting sustainability, fostering greater understanding and engagement within the sector.

One of the Sustainable Tourism content pieces produced by TIC included a Report on Wastewater Treatment for Off-Grid Sites in Malaysia: A Sustainable Development Approach to Wastewater Management in Malaysia. The report is based on the discussion in a roundtable on Off-Grid Wastewater Treatment held on 6 December 2024. Researchers, NGOs, and private sector representatives gathered to identify key challenges and ways to address them.