Pantai Kamloon Recreational Park

Location :
In the district of North Seberang Perai, Penang.
Coordinates of the park are N5º33’58.30” E100º26’37.17”
You can access the Google Map here.

Natural Heritage Status:
Muda River flows by the park. The park was formerly a sand mining site. The park is famous for the toman fish (Channa micropeltes) in the numerous lakes. Many migratory birds have been reportedly seen in this park. The park is also an area overgrown with secondary forest and cassia trees. Common herbs can be seen along the boardwalks.

Gazettement :
Gazzetted and managed by PERDA (Penang Rural Development Authority) as a recreational park for the rural community.

Accessibility:
To the park: Access to the park through narrow road from trunk road (Route 1). The narrow lane leads all the way to the parking area of the park. A new river dyke had been constructed which could shorten the road to the park from the main trunk road. A taxi can be hired from Sungai Petani or Kepala Batas to the park.
In the park: The 1.8 km long boardwalk and bridges linked rest sheds and small islands in the park for easy accessibility by visitors.

Affordability:
Entrance to the park is free. No parking fee.
The only way to access the park is by using boardwalk. Since it is isolated, the park is visited mainly by anglers, birders and courting couples.

Level of Development:
River dyke has been constructed along the Sungai Muda to prevent overflowing of flood water to the park. To reach the park, one needs to pass through two villages – Kampung Bumbung Lima and Kg Tanjung Rambai with an estimated 200 households.
Kampung Bumbung Lima has food stores and shops catering for the local residents.

Popularity:
Popular with anglers during weekends. It was estimated there were fewer than 50 persons at anyone time during the weekend. Being isolated, there are days when there are no visitors at all.


Accommodation: (as at June 2008)
No accommodation facilities and campsites available in the park. Rest sheds provide shelter for anglers. The park opened from 7.15 am till 7.15 pm.

Threats:
Vandalism: Vandalism of facilities in the park can be seen in the park.
River Erosion: The park is subjected to annual flooding and erosion of the river bank. In 2007, heavy erosion had destroyed river buffet zone and part of the parking bay.
Garbage: No proper rubbish disposal in the park. Rubbish were strewn everywhere in the park.

Mitigation:
Enforcement by the park authority and provide more rubbish bins at strategic areas.
The need to do treatment and maintenance of the wooden boardwalk to prevent decaying wood.
Park authority has been keeping the undergrowth within the boardwalks clean.
Have the park staffed for the safety of visitors and to stop vandalism.
Provide a visitor centre to educate visitors on the ecology of the wetland environment.
Flood warning alarms should be in working order.

Conservation:
The only accessibility in the park by boardwalk has minimized the impact on the park from human activities. Flora and fauna have thrived well and have rehabilitated to become suitable wetland conservation site in the north of Penang. The park is supposedly gated at night to prevent unauthorized persons from entering the park. This has reduced illegal activities in the park such as poaching and herbs collecting.

Benefits to Local Communities:
The park provides the local communities a suitable recreational park for nature appreciation and angling. There are not many visitors and there is no involvement by the locals in any suitable small retail business in the park.

How to Get There:
Using the North-South Highway (E1) and exit at Kepala Batas. After paying the highway tol, you turn right towards Kepala Batas (P123). Head north (P203) towards Sungai Petani using the old trunk road (1). There are several signboards as you reach Kampung Bumbong Lima. Remember to cross a bridge before turning right into Kampung Bumbong Lima. Follow the single lane road till you reach Pantai Kamloon Recreational Park.

Important Contacts:
Pejabat Lembaga Kemajuan Wilayah Pulau Pinang (PERDA)
No 1, Lorong Kampung Gajah 2, Jalan Kampung Gajah,
12200 Butterworth,
Penang.
Tel: 04-3141100

References:
Plus (1996), Guide to Peninsular Malaysia, Tourism Malaysia.
http://penang.ofmalaysia.com/pantaikamloon/index.shtml
http://www.wartaparlimen.com/?wp=lihat&id=176&PHPSESSID=a38d36d04e4bd98cd4f33a1d7bf9f951
http://pasbukitbendera.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1001&Itemid=1