Taman Negara

Taman Negara
King George V National Park
IUCN category II (national park)
View of Sungai Tembeling from atop the Canopy Walkway
Map showing the location of Taman Negara
Location Malaysia
Nearest city Kuala Tembeling
Coordinates 4°42′N 102°28′E / 4.700°N 102.467°E / 4.700; 102.467Coordinates: 4°42′N 102°28′E / 4.700°N 102.467°E / 4.700; 102.467
Area 4,343 km2 (1,677 sq mi)
Established 1938/1939
Governing body Department of Wildlife and National Parks

Taman Negara is in Peninsular Malaysia. It was established in 1938/1939 as the King George V National Park after Theodore Hubback lobbied the sultans of Pahang, Terengganu and Kelantan to set aside a piece of land that covers the three states for the creation of a protected area.[1] It was renamed Taman Negara after independence, which means "national park" in Malay. Taman Negara has a total area of 4,343 km2 and it is one of the world's oldest deciduous rainforest, estimated to be more than 130 million years old.[2][3]

Attractions found near Kuala Tahan (Park headquarters for Pahang) include a canopy walkway, Gua Telinga (cave system), Lata Berkoh (rapid). Visitors can enjoy the tropical rainforest, birdwatching or jungle trekking (e.g. Tenor Rentis) and the river views along the Tahan River.

Geography

View over the canopy

The park encompasses three states, Pahang, Kelantan and Terengganu, each with its own legislation. The Taman Negara Enactment (Pahang) No. 2 of 1939 is enforced in the state of Pahang, the Taman Negara Enactment (Kelantan) No. 14 of 1938 in the state of Kelantan and the Taman Negara Enactment (Terengganu) No. 6 of 1939 in the state of Terengganu. The enactments have similar contents.[1]

Taman Negara Pahang is the largest at 2,477 km2, followed by Taman Negara Kelantan at 1,043 km2 and Taman Negara Terengganu at 853 km2. At an estimated age of more than 130 million years old, it is reputed to be the "oldest tropical rainforest", although the title more accurately belongs to the Daintree Rainforest in Queensland, Australia, estimated to be between 135 million years old [4] and 180 million years old.[5]

Canopy walkway

The park has been developed into a famous ecotourism destination in Malaysia. There are several geological and biological attractions in the park. Gunung Tahan is the highest point of the Malay Peninsula; climbers can use Kuala Tahan or Merapoh[6] as their departure point. All visitors to the park must get permits from the Department of Wildlife and National Parks.

Fauna

Taman Negara is home to some rare mammals, such as the Malayan tiger,[7], Malayan gaur (seladang) and Asian elephant. As well as birds such as the great argus, red junglefowl, and the rare Malayan peacock-pheasant are still found here in some numbers. Tahan River has been preserved to protect the Malaysian mahseer (ikan kelah in Malay), a type of game fish.

Transportation

Entrance at Kuala Tahan

Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM)'s KTM Intercity and Express trains stop at Jerantut railway station. Visitors to Taman Negara can disembark here.

Local tour operators arrange transportation from Kuala Lumpur to the entrance of the Park at Kuala Tahan. This will involve a 3-hour bus journey followed by a 2.5 hour river boat ride to Kuala Tahan. Entrance permits and park tours are often included in the package.

By bus

From Kuala Lumpur, buses to Taman Negara National Park leave from Kompleks Selangor along Jalan Sultan in Petaling Street or Bangunan Mariamman, Jalan Hang Kasturi-nearby Pasar Seni Transportation Hub.(GoKLCityBus).Daily departure at 8.30am including public holiday. 3hrs traveling time from Kuala Lumpur to Kuala Tembeling Jetty and after that another 3hrs boat ride upstream to Kuala Tahan.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Pakhriazad., H.Z , Mohd. Hasmadi, I. & Aida, H.M.K (March 2009). "Historical and Current Legislations of Taman Negara National Park, Peninsular Malaysia". Journal of Politics and Law. 2 (1).
  2. ↑ "Walking the Canopy of the World's Oldest Rainforest -- Malaysia's Taman Negara". www.highonadventure.com.
  3. ↑ "Taman Negara Travel Guide - Malaysia Travel Guide". travelmalaysiaguide.com.
  4. ↑ https://www.transfercarus.com/blog/travel-tips-us/jungle-surfing-in-the-oldest-rainforest-in-the-world
  5. ↑ Lloyd, Graham (August 22, 2011). "The Oldest Rainforest". The Australian.
  6. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2012-09-14. Retrieved 2013-03-31.
  7. ↑ Kawanishi, K.; Sunquist, M. E. (2004). "Conservation status of tigers in a primary rainforest of Peninsular Malaysia". Biological Conservation. 120: 329–344. doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2004.03.005.
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