Activities Report Jul 2000 Newsletter
Park Extension of Perlis State Park
The Malaysian Nature Society (MNS)
welcomes the Perlis Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim's decision
to extend the Perlis State Park from around 5,300 ha to around 10,800 ha.
which will cover the whole Nakawan Range which stretches for 36km from
Wang Kelian in the north to Kuala Perlis in the South. It is a good move
as it also protects the wildlife and plants, the important water catchment
area for the state of Perlis plus the local culture, livelihood (orchards)
and mining history of the area. The Perlis State Park complements
Thailand's Thaleban National Park and forms a transboundary
park, which will fully protect the now threatened limestone range.
The limestone range is unique
as the flora has characteristics of the semi-deciduous forest (which turns
colour and dropped their leaves) with Thai-Burmese influence, and the secondary
Schima-bamboo forest. Many plants are endemic here (found nowhere else
in the world). There are more than 143 non-timber plant species here. A
significant feature are the caves and the cave fauna is very rich in bat
species. The forest supports some bat species typical of the seasonal tropics.
There are many species of wildlife in the Nakawan Range including the rare
Stump-tailed macaque (Macaca arctoides) which is also a threatened species.
Other threatened species include the Low's squirrel, panther, and the serow.
Some 88 species of birds spotted here including the threatened Chestnut-necklaced
Partridge, Helmeted Hornbill and the endemic Gurney's Pitta. There are
35 species of reptiles, of which 21 species are snakes and 6 freshwater
turtles. The loss of large mammals like the elephant and the Sumatran Rhinoceros
from the area earlier, emphasises the need to take action to protect
the remaining threatened species.
MNS will also like to thank
WWFM for their efforts in coming up with the Park management plan for the
State, recommending management strategies for the State Park's natural
and cultural resources, eco-tourism, long-term objectives and the legislative
and administration framework for the Park.
Hopefully, the other states will
follow the example set by Perlis to protect more forests reserve by changing
its status of protection to the highest level. This will attract the ever
increasing nature tourist who wants to get away from the hustle and bustle
of the crowded cities.
24 April 2000, Kuala Lumpur
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Created on 5th Jul 2000