Pulong Tau is a 164,500 hectare area of proposed national park in the Kelabit highlands of Sarawak. Following a local community initiative (Pulong Tau means 'Our forest' in Kelabit and Lun Bawang dialects), the park was first proposed back in 1984. However the area remains to be gazetted. Within its boundaries a great diversity of plant and animal life can be found including gibbons, pitcher plants, orchids, Rafflesia, orang utan and possibly the last breeding population of Sumatran rhinoceros in Sarawak. As well as this rich wildlife, Pulong Tau boasts some of Sarawak's most spectacular scenery, the epitome of which is the proud peak of Batu Lawi. For these reasons, the Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) believes that Pulong Tau should be gazetted immediately and protected in perpetuity.
Between 28 August and 6 September 1998 a nine-member strong expedition from the MNS Miri branch undertook to trek through the forest in the northern end of Pulong Tau from Bario to Ba Kelalan. En route, we visited the peaks of Batu Lawi and Gunung Murud, making the first ever ascent of the latter from the south. We encountered interesting wildlife and stunning scenery and, through the images on this website, hope to share some of our experiences.
10 reasons why Pulong Tau should be gazetted immediately.
(from the MNS Miri Website )
In Kelabit and Lun Bawang dialects "Pulong Tau" means "Our Forest". It expresses both the pride the local people have in their forest and the sense that it is the collective heritage of all Sarawakians and Malaysians. Pulong Tau National Park evolved from a community initiative and in July 1984 the National Parks & Wildlife Department submitted a detailed proposal, together with a petition letter from the community, to the Government of Sarawak.
The proposed park is 164,500 ha and includes most of the Tamu Abu Range and the spectacular twin peaks of Batu Lawi (2,043 m) and Gunung Murud, Sarawak's highest mountain (2,650 m). Close to the Indonesian border in northern Sarawak the proposed park includes the headwaters of the Limbang, Baram, Kelalan and Tutoh rivers, in fact the entire upper catchment of northern Sarawak and hence would, in addition, prove invaluable for watershed protection.
During a survey in 1986 by the National Parks & Wildlife Department the presence of Sumatran Rhinoceros, Orang Utan and Rafflesia was confirmed. A second proposal, submitted in 1987, therefore argued very strongly for the inclusion of these areas within the boundaries of the park and that the park be designated as soon as possible. Although the International Timber Trade Organization figures for Totally Protected Areas count Pulong Tau as 164,500 ha the park has not yet been gazetted and there is concern that logging may enter the proposed area before it is designated or that hunting may endanger some of the rarer wildlife. In fact, access roads have already been driven into much of the north and northwestern parts of the proposed park and illegal hunting of, for example, Helmeted Hornbills whose casques are used for carving, is threatening their populations. The current status of the Sumatran Rhinoceros in the area is unknown but is liable to be precarious especially as easy access along the roads allows poachers into their habitat.
As a large area of remote, rugged and pristine forest that is big enough to protect populations of rare animals such as the Clouded Leopard, Bulwer's Pheasant, Bornean Gibbon and the Sumatran Rhinoceros together with superb fishing (including Sarawak's state fish Ikan Semah) in the rivers, the spectacular peaks of Batu Lawi and Gunung Murud and superb jungle trekking, Pulong Tau has the potential to become one of South East Asia's elite national parks. It could easily rival other already famous parks in Borneo such as Mulu or Mt. Kinabalu, especially if it remains one of the few places in the world where the Sumatran Rhinoceros still roam.
The Malaysian Nature Society, together with members of the local community, recently conducted a ten-day expedition to the northern part of the proposed park. The expedition followed the regular trekking route to Batu Lawi, climbing the lower peak on National Day. The team then set out through very remote forest to find a new approach to Gunung Murud and made the first ascent of the mountain from the south side. Along the way observations of the geology, vegetation, birds and mammals were made. Despite the brief time in the area and the already demanding trekking schedule an amazing array of interesting observations was amassed, revealing both the remarkable diversity of the forests and visibility of the wildlife, and further underlining the importance of this montane habitat. Of 67 bird species and 27 mammal species observed (no mean feat) one fifth of the birds and almost half the mammals were Borneo endemics. Several, such as the Helmeted Hornbill, Mountain Imperial Pigeon, Bornean Gibbon, Hose's Langur, Maroon Langur and Giant Squirrel are totally protected species in Sarawak, while many others including the Asian Paradise Flycatcher, Mountain and Smooth-tailed Treeshrews, Oriental Small-clawed Otter, Binturong and Sun Bear are protected species � they can only be hunted with a special license.
However, it was perhaps the fantastic beauty of the forests which left the deepest impression on the team members. In walking through the park one passes first from mixed dipterocarp forest through tall oak and lithocarpus forest, to the enchanting mossy elfin forests on the lower ridges and from there through stunted Rhododendrons, literally smothered in soaking wet moss, on the mountain slopes, finally to the heath of the mountain summits. Every corner appears to hold a secret. Orchids abound. There is a profusion of pitcher-plants, a large trilobite beetle almost certain-ly new to science and the abundant tracks and sounds of wildlife, adding to the anticipation of what might be round the next bend. Then when the summit of Gunung Murud is finally won there is the breathtaking view towards Batu Lawi. It must be one of Malaysia's finest. Pulong Tau simply has to be gazetted before it is too late.
Ten justifications for gazetting the 164,500 ha of Pulong Tau as a national park