The federal government, Selangor government, and Gamuda Land (Discovery Wetlands Sdn Bhd) (DWSB) have signed a deal to upgrade Paya Indah Wetlands (PIW) in Dengkil into an ecotourism destination.

The tripartite agreement involving the Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry (NRES), the Selangor government, and Gamuda Land was signed in the presence of NRES Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad and Menteri Besar Dato' Seri Amirudin Shari.

"The federal government, through the Wildlife and National Parks of Peninsular Malaysia Department (Perhilitan), focuses on wildlife conservation programmes, while the Selangor government retains ownership of the PIW land," he said.Nik Nazmi said a joint working committee, to be chaired by the Perhilitan director-general, would be set up to monitor the implementation and adherence to the strategic cooperation.

"Matters involving policy decisions will be determined by the Paya Indah Wetlands Steering Committee, chaired by the NRES secretary-general," he said.Meanwhile, Amirudin said the strategic collaboration marks a new chapter for the public to discover new aspects of ecotourism at PIW.

"I believe this collaboration will ensure sustainability, particularly in the management of mangrove forests. It will also serve as a hands-on learning platform for students, undergraduates, and others," he said.

Covering an area of 450.76ha, PIW was gazetted as a protected site under Section 62 of the National Land Code by the Selangor government on February 17, 1998.