TAMAN NEGARA PAHANG
Where The Oldest Adventure Begins!
INTRODUCTION
Even though rainforest only constitutes less than 10% from total forest in the world, more than half of plants species are found there. However, the native plants and animal species in the world’s tropical rainforest are becoming extinct due to deforestation and agricultural expansion
Deforestration increases the level of greenhouse gases, contributes to global climate change, soil erosion, drought and flooding rainforests are becoming extinct.
Taman Negara is the most extensive protected area of pristine, lowland, evergreen rainforest in Malaysia. The stated purpose of Taman Negara is “to utilise the land within the park in perpetuity, for the propagation, protection and preservation of indigeneous flora and fauna”.
Dating back over 130 million years, Taman Negara is one of world’s oldest tropical rainforest.
During the Ice Ages, much of the Earth was covered by immense glaciers that kept the global climate cool. Consequently, many of the planet’s tropical rainforests had to wait until the glaciers receded before they could evolve. Taman Negara rainforest, however, was blessed with a location far enough away from the ice that it developed 130 million years ago – far earlier than those of Africa and Latin America. The forest itself is one of the most ancient on the planet, far older than the equatorial forests of the Amazon or the Congo. It has for tens of thousands of years been the home of nomadic forest people, and ancient civilizations have flourished as well as disappeared in its vastness.
Legends abound & archaeologists have only just begun their efforts here. Equally exciting discoveries are now being made by genetic biologists, who have begun searching the wealth of life in Malaysia’s forests for new medicines with which to combat AIDS, cancer, and many other illnesses. Taman Negara is also a home to Peninsular Malaysia’s highest peak ie. Gunung Tahan as well as a home to more than 10,000 species of plants, 300 species of mammals such as the Sumatran Rhinoceros, the the Asian Elephant, tigers, sun bear and tapirs; 300 species of fish and over 380 species of birds.
With so much to see and to do, a trip to Taman Negara is a must on your itinerary.
Tranquility
“Life is like a river. You just have to go with the flow and not let the pesky rocks in the water get in your way.” Meg Bowling
Conservation
Heritage
“It is not the honor that you take with you, but the heritage you leave behind. ” Branch Rickey
Fun
“I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order. ” John Burroughs
TAMAN NEGARA :
A BRIEF HISTORY
In 1925, an area covering over 1,300 square kilometers in Pahang was gazetted as Gunung Tahan Game Reserve by the then British colonial. 13 years later, the Sultan of Pahang, Terengganu and Kelantan set aside the present area for conservation and it was known as “King George V National Park”.
After Malaysia gained independent in 1957, it was renamed as Taman Negara and has become Malaysia’s Premier National Park and the largest in the country. Taman Negara (National Park) straddles the borders of Trengganu, Kelantan and Pahang in Peninsular Malaysia.
A totally protected area of 4,343 sq km, Taman Negara is known as one of the world’s oldest tropical rainforests. The diversity of its fauna and flora is a result of undisturbed evolution over 130 million years. Unspoilt and undisturbed, an unforgettable experience awaits you at this premier National Park just over three and half hours drive from Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia.
Deep within the heart of Taman Negara lies this quiet retreat, surrounded by nothing but nature and the sense of impending adventure. As the saying goes:
TAKE NOTHING BUT PHOTOGRAPH,
LEAVE NOTHING BUT FOOTPRINTS
