Attracting birdwatching flock to Shah Alam
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- 6 min read
TAMAN Tasik Shah Alam is spreading its wings.
The 17ha urban park in Selangor is being reimagined as a premier birdwatching hub to capture a slice of the lucrative global ecotourism market.
This strategic move aims to position Shah Alam as a sustainable, high-value sanctuary for international travellers seeking a rare glimpse of avian life in the heart of the state.
Located between Persiaran Tasik and Persiaran Dato Menteri, the site features three man-made lakes and lush greenery that provide a unique habitat for local and migratory birds.
Avitourism or birdwatching tourism is a specialised ecotourism focused on travelling to observe and identify birds in their natural habitats.
Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) Community Development Department director Shahrin Ahmad told StarMetro that birdwatching would be promoted as a primary attraction in conjunction with Visit Malaysia 2026.
“Our city has experienced a high influx of tourists. We are seeing tourists armed with binoculars or telescopes to identify bird species across the lakes and to record plumage details.
“Birdwatching is a fast-growing, lucrative niche in tourism with international trips dedicated to it annually,” added Shahrin.
Avitourism power
MBSA plans to officially launch the birdwatching activity in May, marking a shift towards more specialised tourism products.
Shahrin said tourism was currently booming in Shah Alam, driven largely by nature enthusiasts from China, Europe, North America and other parts of Asia.
These “birders” are a highly sought-after demographic because they tend to spend more per person, stay longer than the average tourist and travel extensively within the city to find different species.
Tourism Selangor chief executive officer Chua Yee Ling said based on tourism statistics, Shah Alam received 1,300,744 visitors last year.
This figure represents the fourth highest footfall among the 12 local councils in Selangor, signalling a strong foundation for further growth.
“I am told we have migratory birds coming from as far as Siberia to Shah Alam, which contributes to a rich avian biodiversity.
“MBSA is working with Universiti Selangor (Unisel) and Zoo Negara researchers to carry out bird profiling and to standardise tracking to understand the various bird behaviours,” she said.
Chua added that avian biodiversity was the primary driver of avitourism, which provides vital livelihoods for local communities through professional guiding and a boost to the hospitality sector.
“Birdwatching tours have significant economic value, with job opportunities for tour leaders and tourist souvenir outlets. It is good to know that MBSA is embarking on this project and we need quality tourists.
“Most birdwatchers are affluent, middle-aged or older and often visit urban forested areas to connect with nature or photograph birds,” added Chua.
Research and conservation
Beyond the economic benefits, the project serves a critical environmental purpose.
Shahrin said detailed studies were crucial to understand how birds, as a key component of ecosystems, adapt to city environments.
This information is essential for implementing long-term conservation strategies.
“The study aims to create opportunities for the development of nature-based tourism, namely ecotourism, as well as environmental education.
“This is in line with the aspirations of the Selangor government to promote sustainable tourism and enhance public awareness of urban biodiversity conservation.” he said.
The ultimate goal of ecotourism, he said, is to preserve natural heritage for future generations.
To achieve this, MBSA is seeking to collaborate with various stakeholders, including researchers, environmental activists and the local community.
This collective effort is intended to position Taman Tasik Shah Alam as one of the leading eco-tourism destinations in the state.
As part of the community engagement strategy, he said, Zoo Negara has encouraged MBSA to form a dedicated community birdwatching club.
The club would foster environmental stewardship and enhance urban biodiversity by involving residents in the monitoring of bird populations, said Shahrin.
“We have been advised to have photography and videography competitions.
“Other efforts will include building a cage-like environment where children can enter and feed local birds.”
2026 Tourism Action Plan
The academic community is also playing a role in shaping the park’s future.
Unisel has suggested MBSA to build a dedicated viewing deck to provide enthusiasts with better vantage points.
It also suggested collaborating with professional ornithologists to ensure information boards are scientifically accurate, highlighting local species and promote bird-friendly practices, and effectively transforming the city park into an educational hub.
Shahrin noted that these boards would include details on nesting habits, food sources and migratory patterns to deepen the public’s understanding of urban biodiversity.
“Birdwatching is in the five-year Shah Alam Tourism Action Plan 2026-2030 (PTPSA 26-30) launched at the end of January.
“This plan is designed to make the city a competitive destination,” he added.
The action plan encompasses tourism product development, infrastructure improvements, the strengthening of human capital, and increased local community involvement.
Shahrin said the implementation of the action plan would strengthen urban tourism governance, stimulate local economic growth, and enrich visitor experience through more conducive infrastructure and the application of smart technology.
Temporary home
Ecotourism and Conservation Society of Malaysia (Ecomy) president and chief executive officer Andrew Sebastian hailed MBSA’s efforts as a sustainable initiative that would offer residents a therapeutic connection to nature.
“Such green spaces act as calming, natural retreats within a busy urban environment,” Andrew said.
“This initiative will boost urban tourism, providing higher social and ecological benefits than more general attractions.”
He pointed out that Taman Tasik Shah Alam sits directly in the path of migratory birds, particularly from October to March.
“During the northern hemisphere’s winter and spring migration, they spend time down south, stopping at green lungs in and around Shah Alam.”
While some species are common, Andrew noted that rarer finds await those who know where to look.
“You might spot the uncommon green-backed flycatcher or common kingfishers that have made the park their home,” he said.
Other visitors include the blue-tailed bee-eater that travels from the northern hemisphere to feed and roost.
Park-goers can also spot larger species like the painted stork and the Asian open-billed stork. Other birds include great eagles, little herons and Richard’s pipit.
“People visit from different continents to see our local species like the white-throated kingfisher and the Chinese pond heron,” Andrew said.
Other avian residents include the lesser flameback woodpecker and the common iora.
“You may even see the Sunda pygmy woodpecker, one of our smallest species found in forest edges,” he added, adding that the plan would protect vital habitats while enhancing the region’s ecotourism potential.
Rejuvenating the city centre
The birdwatching initiative is part of a larger push to revitalise the heart of Shah Alam.
SA Sentral chief executive officer (designated) Datuk Mohd Najib Ibrahim said his organisation was working to rejuvenate the city centre, situated close to the lake gardens.
“We are reactivating less used spaces and bringing forth new layers of lifestyle, culture and economic activity.
“One of the most visible placemaking efforts is Aneka Walk, a curated lifestyle corridor designed to inject renewed energy into Section 14,” he said.
Aneka Walk stretches 300m through the heart of the city centre, integrating retail, food and beverage offerings, cultural showcases and community programmes.
Mohd Najib said the project, which is part of the broader Shah Alam Sentral development, supported local entrepreneurs and small businesses by providing a platform for growth.
Scheduled to open in May, the development builds on the site’s long-standing identity as a gathering point.
This is particularly evident when there are Ramadan bazaars, as thousands of visitors converge on the area each year.
The site also hosted Festival Ramadan Selangor (Festira) 2026, organised by Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS).
Festira 2026, which ran from Jan 30 to March 20, featured weekend markets, live performances, spiritual programmes and family activities.
Read the original article at The Star.
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