TAMAN NEGARA
Taman Negara or The National Park is located
in the state of Pahang Malaysia. It lies 4 and 5 north of the equator
within the headwaters of three river system; the Tembeling in the south,
the Trenggan in the east and the Relai-Aring-Labir in the north and
received rain throughout the year, around 2,200mm(lowland) and 3,800mm(mountain).
Temperature during the day is average at 26 and at night 22 Celsius.
The national park or Taman Negara is one of the oldest tropical rain
forest in the world. It is older than the jungles of Congo or the Amazon.
Its lush tropical forest dates as far back as 130 million years.
It lies on sedimentary rock, remainder is granite and some scattered
limestone. Interesting to know that a large part of Malaysia was submerged
under water several million years ago and that volcanic and non volcanic
islands emerged and drowned from time to time. Peninsular Malaysia only
became land during the Jurassic era. Sedimentary rocks would normally
yield fossils and the bulk of the fossils are found in Taman Negara.
Ten percent are lowland area below 120m with many huge trees. The majority
is covered with lowland dipterocarpaceous forest. Within the park are
around 14,000 species of plants, 250 species of birds, around 200 mammals
and as many as 240 species of trees can be found within a single hectare,
compare with an average of seven for a European forest. Evidence of
human habitation within part of Taman Negara almost 2,000 years ago
came in the discovery of bronze artifacts along the Tembeling river.
One small group of Orang Asli(Original People), the Negrito Batek, still
live within the border of the park, gathering wild food and hunting
with blowpipes as they have for countless generations.
In 1925, an area of 9,240 hectares surrounding Tahan
mountain was gazetted as a Tahan Mountain Game Reserve by the British
authority. Then in 1939, it was declared a National Park, through the
states of Kelantan, Pahang and Terengganu under an enactment in 1938/9.
It was named King George V National Park, named after the King of England.
After independence in 1957, it was named Taman Negara. The creation
of this park was due largely to the persistence of one man, Theodore
Hubback, Chief Game Warden of what was then the Federated Malay States.
He pestered the colonial government relentlessly for 15 years until
the region was set aside for conservation in 1938. His enthusiasm was
carried on by subsequent state and federal governments, and by the Department
of Wildlife and National Park. Now, it covered a total of 4,343 sq km,
seven times the size of Singapore.
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TAMAN NEGARA
IN BRIEF
Size: 4,343 sq km
Highest Point: Gunung Tahan (2,187 meters)
Flora Fauna: Over 10,000 species of plants, 250 kind of birds.
Local mammals include mouse deer, barking deer, wild ox, and
numerous monkey species. Tapir, elephant, leopard and tiger
also present, though not easy to spot.
Activities: Jungle-trekking, white-water rafting, fishing, guided
nature walks (Please note that Taman Negara is a restricted
area. All bookings and reservations must be made in advance
at the reservations office in Kuala Tahan).
Getting There :
By Road: From Kuala Lumpur, the road journey takes about three
hours. Travel to Jerantut by way of Mentakab or Raub. From Jerantut,
Kuala Tembeling is sixteen kilometers north. Follow signs from
Kuala Tembeling to the jetty.
By Rail: Train services are available from Kuala Lumpur and
Singapore. The train passes Kuala Tembeling. From Kuala Tembeling,
there is a half-hour walk to the jetty.
Taman Negara is a particularly favorable destination for trekking,
as the park's remarkable biodiversity is matched by a good network
of jungle trails and the availability of expert guides. The
park is also noted for fishing, especially along the upper reaches
of the Tahan or Kenyam rivers, and for rafting the rapids of
Sungai Tembeling. Peninsular Malaysia's highest mountain, Gunung
Tahan (2,187 meters), is located in Taman Negara, and climbing
the mountain is an unforgettable experience. Due to the scarcity
of water along the route, the journey must be done in two stages,
and an experienced guide is compulsory. At least three days
are required for the journey to the summit and back. On the
southern edge is Kuala Tahan, the park's headquarters, linked
to the outside world by river. A three-hour river trip is the
only overland route; an alternative is to take a flight from
Kuala Lumpur to Taman Negara Park headquarters at Kuala Tahan
with chalets, restaurants and campgrounds is located in 4,343
square kilometers of the world's oldest rainforest
Taman
Negara is a fascinating sanctuary of nature's many splendors,
ready to thrill holiday makers with a zest for adventure.
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After
a fascinating boat ride over crystal clear streams and
sometimes shooting through swirling rapids, you will
reach Kuala Tahan, the Park's HQ and it is from this
point that your adventure begins. |
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You
can observe a large variety of wildlife including the
Sambar, Barking Deer, Tapir and sometimes Tigers. |
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Experience
crossing the Park Canopy Walkway which is 25 metres
high and over 400 metres which is the world's longest.
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Enthusiastic
anglers will find angling of fishes interesting in the
many rivers of Taman Negara. |
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River
trips must not be missed as you will be mesmerized by
the breath taking view of our colourful flora and fauna.
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Explore
the caves and forest by mountain climbing and jungle
trekking. |
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