Taman Negara

Taman Negara
IUCN Category II (National Park)
View of Sungai Tembeling from atop the Canopy Walkway
Location	Malaysia
Nearest city	Kuala Tembeling
Coordinates	4°42′N 102°28′E / 4.7°N 102.467°E / 4.7; 102.467Coordinates: 4°42′N 102°28′E / 4.7°N 102.467°E / 4.7; 102.467
Area	4,343 km²
Established	1938/1939
Governing body	Department of Wildlife and National Parks

Entrance at Kuala Tahan

Canopy walkway

Taman Negara was established in Malaysia in 1938/1939 as the King George V National Park. It was renamed to Taman Negara after independence, which literally means "national park" in Malay. Taman Negara (total area 4,343 km²) has a reputation as the world's oldest tropical rainforest.^[1][2]

Taman Negara 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.

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.

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 as their departure point. Taman Negara is the home of some rare mammals, such as the Malayan Tiger, Crab-eating macaque, Sumatran Rhinoceros, Great Argus, Red Junglefowl, Malayan Gaur (seladang) and Asian Elephant. Among the birdlife, the rare Malayan Peacock-pheasant is 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.

Others 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 rain forest, birdwatching or jungle trekking (e.g. Tenor Rentis) and the river views along the Tahan River.

All visitors to the park must get permits from the Department of Wildlife and National Parks. There are many hostels and hotels nearby.

See also

• List of national parks of Malaysia
• Gunung Tahan highest point in peninsula Malaysia.

References

1. ^ http://www.highonadventure.com/Hoa02aug/Malaysia/malaysia.htm
2. ^ http://travelmalaysiaguide.com/taman-negara/

External links

• Department of Wildlife and National Parks