Location :
Located at the North-East corner of Penang Island fronting the Straits of Malacca.
Coordinates of the park are 5°27'35"N 100°12'21"E
You can access the Google Map here.
Natural Heritage Status:
History: It is believed that Achehese came to Penang earlier than Francis Light for trade, farming, fishing and forest produce. The present of 5 ancient Achehese tombstones dated between 1500 – 1700 at Teluk Duyung showed that Achehese had been in this part of Malaysia. Around 1920s the Chinese from China migrated to Kampung Pantai Acheh. Teluk Bahang is also known as Teluk Awak because Awak race from Burma are the earlier settlers. Later Kampung Nelayan, Kampung Mata Rawai and Kampung Balai opened up for more settlers.
Meromictic Lake: This seasonal lake is caused by the sand bar that blocked the estuary during the South-West Monsoon. The lake has a unique warm saline water below and cool fresh water at the top layer.
Beaches: There are 8 scenic beaches in the National park – Pasir Pandak, Teluk Tukun, Teluk Aling, Teluk Duyung, Teluk Ketapang, Pantai Kerachut, Teluk Kampi and Pantai Mas.
Flora: Home to many dipterocarp trees like Shorea curtiss and Bintangor spp. Wild herbs such as tongkat ali and kacip fatimah can also be found in the upper reaches of the park. There were 77 medicinal plants recorded (ChanLK, 2003) with 109 species of plant species identified (Asyraf, 2003)
Fauna: The park is the only known area where larger wildlife can be found in Penang Island. They include leopard cat, long-tailed macaque, dusky leaf monkey, mouse deer, pangolin, otter, porcupine and other smaller animals. There were 44 species of reptiles and 31 mammalian species were recorded (Ibrahim, 2003). A total of 151 species of avifauna (Kanda, 2003).
Gazettement :
A metropolitan national park of 2562.963 hectares, the Penang National Park is the first national park declared on 4th April 2003 and gazetted under National Park Act 226 of 1980 on April 10, 2003. Gazetted land area of the park is 1181.949 ha and the sea area is 1381.014 ha, perhaps making the park the smallest in the world. Managed by Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP).
Accessibility:
To the park:
1) Main Entrance: Coastal road (Route 6) from Georgetown leads all the way to the park. Public transports are easily available to the park headquarter at Teluk Bahang.
2) Second Entrance: Located at Kuala Sungai Pinang estuary in Balik Pulau. Visitors need to board the tourist boats at the estuary. Use the round island route (6) and then turn into the road (P236) to Kuala Sungai Pinang.
In the park: The first 500m from the park headquarter is paved until a small hanging bridge. Thereafter, the forest trail branches out to developed areas at Sungai Tukun, Telok Aling, Teluk Duyung, Muka Head Lighthouse and Pantai Kerachut. The trails along the coast to Teluk Duyung and Muka Head Lighthouse are easy to follow with occasional elevated boardwalk. There are jetties at Telok Aling and Pantai Kerachut for easy access by boat from Telok Bahang or Sungai Pinang.
Affordability:(as on July 2008)
At present no admission fee to the park.
Parking fee: Free along the road. RM2 inside the Fisherman Complex.
Guarded by security guard 24 hours. Need registration and a permit to enter. Need permit to camp overnight at designated area only. No chalet facilities at present.
The park is well visited and popular among the local community and tourists.
Level of Development:
Facilities for campers available at Teluk Tukun and Pantai Kerachut.
No food stores and souvenir shops available inside the park except several small eating outlets at Teluk Duyung (a private land within the park).
There are 2 villages near the park – Kampung Nelayan and Kampung Tengah within the Teluk Bahang town. Estimated population of 3500 persons.
Potentials:
The 8 beaches of Penang National Park are popular amongst tourists as well as locals. Each beach has its own uniqueness; richness of variety of floras and faunas and of its potential tourism activities.
1) Pasir Pandak
Located at the very edge of the northern boundary of the park, the beach is engulfed by the panoramic fishing jetty built of mangrove timber and palm trunks and the aquaculture. This scenic beach is bustling with tourists and campers going into the national park. The area is disturbed with sandy beach and seasonal muddy seabed. Much litter have accumulated and scarred the scenic beach. A little stream flows into the bay. A scout camp was supposedly built here to replace the coronation camp at the Botanic Gardens. A police post is situated here.
Potential: - This beach is easily accessible within walking distance from the jetty and the parks headquarter. A mangrove area within the estuary of the small stream provides a good conservation of the mangrove ecosystem. Reptile such as monitor lizards and snakes are common. Squirrels and monkeys occasionally make an appearance. Disturbed secondary forest and hardy plants such as the screw pines dominate the coast. The red paper-like bark called pelawan trees are common along the trail. Undergrowth and ferns spread between the trees.
Threat: - Being easily accessible, this area is usually visited by local community for picnicking and by those illegal poachers and herbs collectors. The present of aquaculture has been detrimental to the marine ecosystem with present of sludge and algae.
2) Teluk Tukun
Sungai Tukun flows into Teluk Tukun. A small island opposite Teluk Tukun is Pulau Tukun Tengah. The stilts from the chalets built by the forestry department are still visible. Camping pits were built along Sungai Tukun. There are several small swimming pools for campers. The piped water is supplied from the stream.
Potential: - Proper camping ground and amenities provided by the authority make camping a luxury. Birdwatching should not be missed here. The swimming pools provided good place for family outings and nature camps. The cool stream feeding the Tukun bay fans out into the shallow sea. Several mangrove trees are found along the estuary. Secondary forest is the main feature. Exotic flowering plants and ornamental plants are decorated along the trail parallel with the stream. Timber trees are found along the upper reaches of the stream. Two types of monkeys are found here. The dusky leaf monkeys and the long tailed macaque can be seen if you are observance enough. Birds are aplenty.
Threats: - This area has seen over development. Too many infrastructures have defaced the natural features of the park. Many trees have to make way for unnecessary building. Heavy usage by campers has affected the area. This beach is also affected by the pollution caused by the aquaculture.
3) Teluk Aling
Teluk Aling housed the USM’s research centre CEMACS (Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies) which was established since the middle of 1970s to undertake research and post-graduate
training in Marine Science and Coastal Ecosystems. There is a jetty to bring in supply from town. The forest and coastal areas are been used for research on bio-technology. The research station’s collection museum has vast collection of flora and fauna exhibits.
Potential: - The beach is easily accessible and it is a suitable camping site for campers who prefer to camp within the vicinity of the biological station. It is also a resting place for hikers enroute to Muka Head and beyond. The secondary forest surrounding the centre has vast variety of plants. Herbal plants are aplenty and need more research to discover the potentials. Rats, birds, monitor lizards, snakes and squirrels are common. The occasional landings of turtles provide record of the larger fauna found here.
Threat: - Camp fires and litters from the research centre were seen along the Teluk Aling.
4) Teluk Duyung
Teluk Duyung is the most popular beach among the tourists. Teluk Duyung is also called Muka Head, named after the Muka Head’s peak which stands a majestic lighthouse. It is a private land cultivated with coconuts and durians. A burial ground of at least 80 years old resembles that of Indonesian’s Acheh is an interesting historical artifact.
Potential: - It is an ideal swimming bay with flat and sandy seabed. Beachcombers will enjoy collecting mollous during low tides. Lunch packages were organised by the beach hotels. Barbecue pits were built by them to cater for the tourists. A broad flight of steps leads up from the beach to the lighthouse. The peak offers a panoramic view of the Kedah’s peak and the surrounding islands. The lighthouse was built in 1883 and has a useable well on the peak. The fact that Teluk Duyung is also popularly known as Monkey Beach suggests that monkeys are abundant. The species that are common here are the Long Tailed Macaque. Other animals include the vipers, monitor lizards, squirrels and rats. Amongst the most noticeable big birds are the White bellied Sea Eagles and the Brahminy Kites. Pyrrosia angustata an uncommon fern found only in this part of national park. Other noticeable trees planted include casuarina trees, sea almond, cashew nuts and the swaying coconut palms. A colony of rare aroid (Lasia spinosa) grows among the coconut orchard.
Threats: - This beach is located within a private land and has yet to be taken over by the national park authority. Rubbish and open burning have been going on without any control. Many refreshment stores to cater for the tourists were built along the beach which adds more garbage along the beach.
5) Teluk Ketapang
This is a small isolated beach stretching less than 100 meters. It was originally known as Monkey Beach. This is where monkeys roam the beach scavenging and ransacking campers. The beach got it name from the numerous sea almond trees known locally as Pokok Ketapang. The seed of the sea almond when cut open give a white kernel tasting like almond and hence the name sea almond.
Potential: - This secluded beach with a small bay can be easily accessed by boat. The hotels that offer packages often come to this beach to prepare barbecue lunch for the guests. Turbulent current around the Muka Head’s cape hindered smaller boats from easy assess to this beach. Black sand is found along the beach. A little stream flows to the sea providing the needed fresh water for campers and tourists. Bats are abundant here as the sea almond attracts fruit bats. The long tailed macaques are common. Monitor lizards and sea otters are often seen around the rocky bay. There are many exotic trees planted by the previous inhabitant of this isolated beach. Quite a number of matured timber trees are found along the trail between Teluk Duyung and Teluk Ketapang. Some rare herbs can also be found. These include the famous aphrodisiac plant called eurycoma longifolia or locally known as tongkat ali.
Threats: - Rubbish deposed at the beach without any consideration by boat operator.
6) Pantai Kerachut
Pantai Kerachut is famous for its unique seasonal meromictic lake where there is a distinct layering of waters with the upper layer of fresh water, fed from several surrounding streams, remaining cool, while the lower layer of salt water is kept warm. It is a popular picnic and camping site and a famous turtle hatchery. Collecting of the turtles’ eggs is prohibited. Pantai Kerachut is the only beach where the Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas) can be spotted. It is believed that the Green Turtle only migrate here for nesting as extensive algae are not known and found around Penang Island. It is one of the largest sea turtle and the Penang National Park will ensure the continuity of the turtle’s visit.
Potential: - The memorictic lake is the greatest attraction here. Warm saline water below and fresh water on top. Crab, rare fishes and large prawns are quite common. The fishery department has built a turtle sanctuary. Bats and birds are common. Long Tailed Macaques are a nuisance as they raided campsites for food. The other Dusky Leaf Monkeys which are shy are harder to spot. The calls from a pair of resident stock billed kingfisher in the evening occasionally break the monotonous beating waves and chirping birds. Wildboars, monitor lizards, and mousedeers are quite common during low tourist seasons. Cultivated cashew trees can be found here. This indicates that some agriculture activities had taken place many years ago. Fully-grown timber trees are found inside the forest beyond the coast. From afar the tree crowns look greyish from the crowns of shorea curtiss.
Threats: - Over development has affected the natural scenic beauty of this beach. An example is the rocks used as the based for the hanging bridge were washed into the meromictic lake by the tsunami waves in 2006. The unnatural artifact has marred the natural beauty of the lake. Other development includes unnecessary infrastructures at Pantai Kerachut.
7) Teluk Kampi
Teluk Kampi has the longest beach in the park. Tell signs of trenches were found along the northern coast indicating a defense post for the Japanese Army. Historically this could be the best landing place for seafarer. There are many artifacts and past history to be found if one is to venture further.
Potential: - A stroll from one end of the beach to the other offered a sweeping panorama over the blue ocean far beyond. Lazing on this isolated beach, the distant skyline with passing steamers and setting sun guarantee to refresh and charge up your life again. Fish are wild. Campers will never have to bring food if they care to fish. Wild boar and some wild cats have been sighted. A couple of sea otters can be seen basking on the beach from afar. The beach is long and plants are aplenty ranging from rocky bonsai to timber and herbal plants. Wild orchids found on steep rocky slopes are common. An old fruiting pokok malacca can be found along the beach. The tree bear fruits throughout the year welcoming hikers to refresh their taste buds.
Threats: - Being an isolated beach, hunters and collectors occasional landed to hunt and collect fauna and flora found in this area.
8) Pantai Mas
Pantai Mas is a golden beach. It was a beautiful beach until the pig farm at Pantai Acheh village polluted it with muddy discharge from the farm. The beach still looks “golden” with the golden sand if not for the enormous amount of rubbish washed ashore. Being very close to civilization, mud and mangrove create a wilderness few people would like to go. The difficulty to access Pantai Mas by sea could be the reason why dwellers abandoned their homes here.
Potential: – With muddy seabed and difficult accessibility by boat, Pantai Mas is an adventure beach. Here streams run throughout the year. Lizards are common. Aroids and some exotic ornamental plants can be found. A resident otter family can be seen every day along the mangroves. Mousedeers, civet cats and small mammals are found in the interior. Formally a coconut plantation, it is now a wasteland overgrown with lalang and other undergrowth. Strangely not too distant from the coast a whole colony of nepenthes manages to survive the coastal habitat. The muddy seabed also helps mangrove trees to propagate. The soft wood sea hibiscus with the yellow flowers has flourished right to the edge of the beach.
Threats: – Garbage can be seen washed ashore which handicapped the beauty of this natural area. Discharge from the pig farming of Sungai Acheh has affected the water quality of this pristine beach.
The Hills
The hills practically join to form a ridge bisecting the park into West and East. It is fortunate that a dam has been built on the southern east of the park providing the needed buffer zone whereby rich flora and fauna will thrive. The eastern side of the park is therefore a vital water source. This area should be a protected area for wild species against human intrusion.
Potential: - The vast stretch of hills stretching from Teluk Bahang to Pantai Acheh holds great potentials for adventure and tourism. It has undulating topography with ravines and little valleys and hills of irregular height linked by ridges. It is through these ridges that many trails crisscrossed each other to form an intervene web of trails in the park. The highest point is Batu Itam at 1500 feet on the southern flank of park. Bukit Telaga Batu is about 1100 feet and has potential folklore of a 6 inches deep well on a boulder on top the western flank of the hill. The magnificent serviceable lighthouse stands majestically on the Muka Head peak of 242m is still faithfully guiding seafarers into our Penang's water is an attraction by itself. There are several boulders’ caves within these hills which could be a potential sites for bats’ research.
Threats: - There are no other sentry points (beside the main entrance) to the park. Poachers and illegal plant/herbs collectors could enter the park undetected. Future plan to develop a road from Teluk Bahang to Pantai Kerachut could damage the river ecosystem and causes erosion which could damage flora and fauna and the meromictic lake.
Popularity:
Popular with tourists and locals.
It was estimated that during school holidays, the park was crowded with students as well as team building groups. On public holidays, the arrival could reach 500 persons.
Weekends (Saturdays and Sundays) – mostly locals visitors. Estimated average arrival: 200 persons.
Weekdays – mostly foreign tourists. Estimated average arrival: 100 persons.
Campers need permission from the park office. (Figures provided by counter personnel)
Accommodation: (as at May 2008)
No chalet facilities.
Campsite available but needs park permit to camp.
Threats & Challenges:
Garbage: The biggest threat of the park is garbage disposal. Rubbish were strewn everywhere in the park. Most garbage was washed ashore from the tides.
Attitude: Attitude of local picnickers in discarding garbage without any consideration of the cleanliness of the park.
Development: Facilities are well kept especially at Pantai Kerachut and Teluk Tukun. New proposal to develop trails are in the pipeline.
Ecosystem Threat: construction and development of infrastructures have direct impact on the environment such as vegetation removal, animal disturbance, elimination of habitats, impacts on streams and wildlife habitat.
Soil: Soil compaction in well used areas. Soil removal and erosion also occurs and may continue after disturbance is gone.
Vegetation: Concentrated use of facilities has a negative effect on vegetation. Transportation may have direct negative impacts on the environment such as vegetation removal, weed transmission, animal disturbance. Fire frequency may change due to tourists and park tourism management.
Water: Increased demands on fresh water could divert water away from the much needed ecosystem. Disposal of sewage or litter into streams, lake and the sea. Release of oil and fuel from boats. Propeller – driven watercraft may effect certain aquatic plants and species
Air: Motorized transportation may cause pollution from emissions both terrestrial and marine.
Wildlife: Hunting and fishing may change population dynamics. Introduction of exotic species. Impacts occur on insects and small invertebrates from effects of transportation and introduced species. Disturbance by visitors can occur for all species including that are not attracting visitors. Impact of disturbances beyond the breeding, eating and movement of fauna. Marine fauna may be hurt or killed by boat impacts or propeller. Human presents can caused stress and significantly changed wildlife behavior.
Aquaculture: The sludge from the aqualculture will affect the coral reefs and sea grasses off Teluk Duyung, Teluk Ketapang and Teluk Kampi. The beaches will also be affected by the present of the pollutant from the aquaculture.
Mitigation:
Need strict enforcement by the park authority.
Need to provide more rubbish bins at strategic areas and the need to collect them according to schedules.
Declaration of water bottles and food packages brought into the park.
Build sentry post to regulate visitors to the southern end of the park namely Pantai Mas.
Authority should take over the private property at Teluk Duyung and enforce regulation as the present tourism activities are not sustainable and could affect the park ecosystem.
Discourage aquaculture at Pasir Pandak as the effluent from the fish culture could affect the water quality, beaches and marine lives.
Conservation:
Ecotourism acts as an effective conservation tool to conserve natural and cultural heritage of Malaysia. Penang National Park is a unique sanctuary for nature conservation with several distinctive habitats not found in other major nature reserves in Malaysia - meromictic lake, wetlands, mangroves, mudflats, coral reefs and turtle nesting sanctuary.
Wetlands: Meromictic lake of Pantai Kerachut. Peat swamp surrounded part of the lake.
Mangroves: There are two mangrove areas in the park namely Pantai Mas and Sungai Tukun. There are 13 species ie Acanthus ilicifolius, Acrostichum aureum, Avicennia alba, Avicennia officinalis, Bruguiera cylindrical, Bruguiera gymnorrhiza, Derris trifoliate, Excoecaria agallocha, Lumnitzera littorea, Nypa fruticans, Rhizophora apiculata, Sonneratia caseolaris and Sonneratia ovata (Khairun & co, 2003)
Mudflats: An important conservation area for mangrove habitats such as mudskippers, mangroves, nipah, mollusks, otters, mud crabs and other mud dwellers.
Coral reefs: Found only off shore of Teluk Duyung, Teluk Ketapang and Teluk Kampi.
Turtle Nesting Sanctuary: Turtle nesting areas on the shores of Pantai Keruchut, Teluk Ketapang and Teluk Kampi.
Benefits to Local Communities:
Local communities involved in small business including refreshment stores inside the park especially at Teluk Duyung. A mart was set up beside the park entrance for tourists.
Boat operators to ferry tourists and operate tours into the park. There are now at least 20 boat operators compared to only 5 operators during pre-national park status.
How to Get There:
Penang National Park is located at the north-western corner of Penang Island. It is about 30 km from Georgetown. Use coastal road (Route 6) from Georgetown. At the Teluk Bahang roundabout proceed to the end of Jalan Hassan Abas (P247). Penang National Park is at the Fisherman’s Jetty. To go there by bus, use Rapid Penang U101 from Weld Quay. From the park entrance you can either take a boat from Telok Bahang fishing village’s jetty or hike through a network of walking trails to any part of the park.
Important Contacts:
Superintendant
Penang National Park
Jalan Hassan Abas,Teluk Bahang,
11050 Penang
Tel: 604-881 3530/ 881 2016,
Fax: 604-881 2016
E-mail: tnpp@streamyx.com
Director
Department of Wildlife and National Parks Penang
Level 40, KOMTAR, 10000 Penang Road, Penang
Tel: 604-261 3039, Fax: 604-261 0330
E-mail: jphltnpp@streamyx.com
Director General
Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP)
KM10, Jalan Cheras,
56100 Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia.
Tel: 603-90752872
Fax: 603-90752873
Email: pakp@wildlife.gov.my
Experienced Boat Operators:
Ah Chuan: 019-4141996
Atan: 012-4731299
References:
• Perhilitan (2003), Penang National Park -Management Plan Draft Vol 1 & 2, Jabatan Perhilitan
• Merel & etc (1998), A Photographic Guide to Snakes and Other Reptiles of Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand, New Holland Publishers (UK) Ltd.
• Chan Lai Kheng (2003), Pantai Acheh Forest Reserve The Case for a State Park, Penerbit Universiti Sains Malaysia
• NRE (2007), Malaysian Parks Newsletter, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.
• http://www.wildlife.gov.my/tnpp/bmindex.htm
• http://penangnationalpark.blogspot.com/
Located at the North-East corner of Penang Island fronting the Straits of Malacca.
Coordinates of the park are 5°27'35"N 100°12'21"E
You can access the Google Map here.
Natural Heritage Status:
History: It is believed that Achehese came to Penang earlier than Francis Light for trade, farming, fishing and forest produce. The present of 5 ancient Achehese tombstones dated between 1500 – 1700 at Teluk Duyung showed that Achehese had been in this part of Malaysia. Around 1920s the Chinese from China migrated to Kampung Pantai Acheh. Teluk Bahang is also known as Teluk Awak because Awak race from Burma are the earlier settlers. Later Kampung Nelayan, Kampung Mata Rawai and Kampung Balai opened up for more settlers.
Meromictic Lake: This seasonal lake is caused by the sand bar that blocked the estuary during the South-West Monsoon. The lake has a unique warm saline water below and cool fresh water at the top layer.
Beaches: There are 8 scenic beaches in the National park – Pasir Pandak, Teluk Tukun, Teluk Aling, Teluk Duyung, Teluk Ketapang, Pantai Kerachut, Teluk Kampi and Pantai Mas.
Flora: Home to many dipterocarp trees like Shorea curtiss and Bintangor spp. Wild herbs such as tongkat ali and kacip fatimah can also be found in the upper reaches of the park. There were 77 medicinal plants recorded (ChanLK, 2003) with 109 species of plant species identified (Asyraf, 2003)
Fauna: The park is the only known area where larger wildlife can be found in Penang Island. They include leopard cat, long-tailed macaque, dusky leaf monkey, mouse deer, pangolin, otter, porcupine and other smaller animals. There were 44 species of reptiles and 31 mammalian species were recorded (Ibrahim, 2003). A total of 151 species of avifauna (Kanda, 2003).
Gazettement :
A metropolitan national park of 2562.963 hectares, the Penang National Park is the first national park declared on 4th April 2003 and gazetted under National Park Act 226 of 1980 on April 10, 2003. Gazetted land area of the park is 1181.949 ha and the sea area is 1381.014 ha, perhaps making the park the smallest in the world. Managed by Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP).
Accessibility:
To the park:
1) Main Entrance: Coastal road (Route 6) from Georgetown leads all the way to the park. Public transports are easily available to the park headquarter at Teluk Bahang.
2) Second Entrance: Located at Kuala Sungai Pinang estuary in Balik Pulau. Visitors need to board the tourist boats at the estuary. Use the round island route (6) and then turn into the road (P236) to Kuala Sungai Pinang.
In the park: The first 500m from the park headquarter is paved until a small hanging bridge. Thereafter, the forest trail branches out to developed areas at Sungai Tukun, Telok Aling, Teluk Duyung, Muka Head Lighthouse and Pantai Kerachut. The trails along the coast to Teluk Duyung and Muka Head Lighthouse are easy to follow with occasional elevated boardwalk. There are jetties at Telok Aling and Pantai Kerachut for easy access by boat from Telok Bahang or Sungai Pinang.
Affordability:(as on July 2008)
At present no admission fee to the park.
Parking fee: Free along the road. RM2 inside the Fisherman Complex.
Guarded by security guard 24 hours. Need registration and a permit to enter. Need permit to camp overnight at designated area only. No chalet facilities at present.
The park is well visited and popular among the local community and tourists.
Level of Development:
Facilities for campers available at Teluk Tukun and Pantai Kerachut.
No food stores and souvenir shops available inside the park except several small eating outlets at Teluk Duyung (a private land within the park).
There are 2 villages near the park – Kampung Nelayan and Kampung Tengah within the Teluk Bahang town. Estimated population of 3500 persons.
Potentials:
The 8 beaches of Penang National Park are popular amongst tourists as well as locals. Each beach has its own uniqueness; richness of variety of floras and faunas and of its potential tourism activities.
1) Pasir Pandak
Located at the very edge of the northern boundary of the park, the beach is engulfed by the panoramic fishing jetty built of mangrove timber and palm trunks and the aquaculture. This scenic beach is bustling with tourists and campers going into the national park. The area is disturbed with sandy beach and seasonal muddy seabed. Much litter have accumulated and scarred the scenic beach. A little stream flows into the bay. A scout camp was supposedly built here to replace the coronation camp at the Botanic Gardens. A police post is situated here.
Potential: - This beach is easily accessible within walking distance from the jetty and the parks headquarter. A mangrove area within the estuary of the small stream provides a good conservation of the mangrove ecosystem. Reptile such as monitor lizards and snakes are common. Squirrels and monkeys occasionally make an appearance. Disturbed secondary forest and hardy plants such as the screw pines dominate the coast. The red paper-like bark called pelawan trees are common along the trail. Undergrowth and ferns spread between the trees.
Threat: - Being easily accessible, this area is usually visited by local community for picnicking and by those illegal poachers and herbs collectors. The present of aquaculture has been detrimental to the marine ecosystem with present of sludge and algae.
2) Teluk Tukun
Sungai Tukun flows into Teluk Tukun. A small island opposite Teluk Tukun is Pulau Tukun Tengah. The stilts from the chalets built by the forestry department are still visible. Camping pits were built along Sungai Tukun. There are several small swimming pools for campers. The piped water is supplied from the stream.
Potential: - Proper camping ground and amenities provided by the authority make camping a luxury. Birdwatching should not be missed here. The swimming pools provided good place for family outings and nature camps. The cool stream feeding the Tukun bay fans out into the shallow sea. Several mangrove trees are found along the estuary. Secondary forest is the main feature. Exotic flowering plants and ornamental plants are decorated along the trail parallel with the stream. Timber trees are found along the upper reaches of the stream. Two types of monkeys are found here. The dusky leaf monkeys and the long tailed macaque can be seen if you are observance enough. Birds are aplenty.
Threats: - This area has seen over development. Too many infrastructures have defaced the natural features of the park. Many trees have to make way for unnecessary building. Heavy usage by campers has affected the area. This beach is also affected by the pollution caused by the aquaculture.
3) Teluk Aling
Teluk Aling housed the USM’s research centre CEMACS (Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies) which was established since the middle of 1970s to undertake research and post-graduate
training in Marine Science and Coastal Ecosystems. There is a jetty to bring in supply from town. The forest and coastal areas are been used for research on bio-technology. The research station’s collection museum has vast collection of flora and fauna exhibits.
Potential: - The beach is easily accessible and it is a suitable camping site for campers who prefer to camp within the vicinity of the biological station. It is also a resting place for hikers enroute to Muka Head and beyond. The secondary forest surrounding the centre has vast variety of plants. Herbal plants are aplenty and need more research to discover the potentials. Rats, birds, monitor lizards, snakes and squirrels are common. The occasional landings of turtles provide record of the larger fauna found here.
Threat: - Camp fires and litters from the research centre were seen along the Teluk Aling.
4) Teluk Duyung
Teluk Duyung is the most popular beach among the tourists. Teluk Duyung is also called Muka Head, named after the Muka Head’s peak which stands a majestic lighthouse. It is a private land cultivated with coconuts and durians. A burial ground of at least 80 years old resembles that of Indonesian’s Acheh is an interesting historical artifact.
Potential: - It is an ideal swimming bay with flat and sandy seabed. Beachcombers will enjoy collecting mollous during low tides. Lunch packages were organised by the beach hotels. Barbecue pits were built by them to cater for the tourists. A broad flight of steps leads up from the beach to the lighthouse. The peak offers a panoramic view of the Kedah’s peak and the surrounding islands. The lighthouse was built in 1883 and has a useable well on the peak. The fact that Teluk Duyung is also popularly known as Monkey Beach suggests that monkeys are abundant. The species that are common here are the Long Tailed Macaque. Other animals include the vipers, monitor lizards, squirrels and rats. Amongst the most noticeable big birds are the White bellied Sea Eagles and the Brahminy Kites. Pyrrosia angustata an uncommon fern found only in this part of national park. Other noticeable trees planted include casuarina trees, sea almond, cashew nuts and the swaying coconut palms. A colony of rare aroid (Lasia spinosa) grows among the coconut orchard.
Threats: - This beach is located within a private land and has yet to be taken over by the national park authority. Rubbish and open burning have been going on without any control. Many refreshment stores to cater for the tourists were built along the beach which adds more garbage along the beach.
5) Teluk Ketapang
This is a small isolated beach stretching less than 100 meters. It was originally known as Monkey Beach. This is where monkeys roam the beach scavenging and ransacking campers. The beach got it name from the numerous sea almond trees known locally as Pokok Ketapang. The seed of the sea almond when cut open give a white kernel tasting like almond and hence the name sea almond.
Potential: - This secluded beach with a small bay can be easily accessed by boat. The hotels that offer packages often come to this beach to prepare barbecue lunch for the guests. Turbulent current around the Muka Head’s cape hindered smaller boats from easy assess to this beach. Black sand is found along the beach. A little stream flows to the sea providing the needed fresh water for campers and tourists. Bats are abundant here as the sea almond attracts fruit bats. The long tailed macaques are common. Monitor lizards and sea otters are often seen around the rocky bay. There are many exotic trees planted by the previous inhabitant of this isolated beach. Quite a number of matured timber trees are found along the trail between Teluk Duyung and Teluk Ketapang. Some rare herbs can also be found. These include the famous aphrodisiac plant called eurycoma longifolia or locally known as tongkat ali.
Threats: - Rubbish deposed at the beach without any consideration by boat operator.
6) Pantai Kerachut
Pantai Kerachut is famous for its unique seasonal meromictic lake where there is a distinct layering of waters with the upper layer of fresh water, fed from several surrounding streams, remaining cool, while the lower layer of salt water is kept warm. It is a popular picnic and camping site and a famous turtle hatchery. Collecting of the turtles’ eggs is prohibited. Pantai Kerachut is the only beach where the Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas) can be spotted. It is believed that the Green Turtle only migrate here for nesting as extensive algae are not known and found around Penang Island. It is one of the largest sea turtle and the Penang National Park will ensure the continuity of the turtle’s visit.
Potential: - The memorictic lake is the greatest attraction here. Warm saline water below and fresh water on top. Crab, rare fishes and large prawns are quite common. The fishery department has built a turtle sanctuary. Bats and birds are common. Long Tailed Macaques are a nuisance as they raided campsites for food. The other Dusky Leaf Monkeys which are shy are harder to spot. The calls from a pair of resident stock billed kingfisher in the evening occasionally break the monotonous beating waves and chirping birds. Wildboars, monitor lizards, and mousedeers are quite common during low tourist seasons. Cultivated cashew trees can be found here. This indicates that some agriculture activities had taken place many years ago. Fully-grown timber trees are found inside the forest beyond the coast. From afar the tree crowns look greyish from the crowns of shorea curtiss.
Threats: - Over development has affected the natural scenic beauty of this beach. An example is the rocks used as the based for the hanging bridge were washed into the meromictic lake by the tsunami waves in 2006. The unnatural artifact has marred the natural beauty of the lake. Other development includes unnecessary infrastructures at Pantai Kerachut.
7) Teluk Kampi
Teluk Kampi has the longest beach in the park. Tell signs of trenches were found along the northern coast indicating a defense post for the Japanese Army. Historically this could be the best landing place for seafarer. There are many artifacts and past history to be found if one is to venture further.
Potential: - A stroll from one end of the beach to the other offered a sweeping panorama over the blue ocean far beyond. Lazing on this isolated beach, the distant skyline with passing steamers and setting sun guarantee to refresh and charge up your life again. Fish are wild. Campers will never have to bring food if they care to fish. Wild boar and some wild cats have been sighted. A couple of sea otters can be seen basking on the beach from afar. The beach is long and plants are aplenty ranging from rocky bonsai to timber and herbal plants. Wild orchids found on steep rocky slopes are common. An old fruiting pokok malacca can be found along the beach. The tree bear fruits throughout the year welcoming hikers to refresh their taste buds.
Threats: - Being an isolated beach, hunters and collectors occasional landed to hunt and collect fauna and flora found in this area.
8) Pantai Mas
Pantai Mas is a golden beach. It was a beautiful beach until the pig farm at Pantai Acheh village polluted it with muddy discharge from the farm. The beach still looks “golden” with the golden sand if not for the enormous amount of rubbish washed ashore. Being very close to civilization, mud and mangrove create a wilderness few people would like to go. The difficulty to access Pantai Mas by sea could be the reason why dwellers abandoned their homes here.
Potential: – With muddy seabed and difficult accessibility by boat, Pantai Mas is an adventure beach. Here streams run throughout the year. Lizards are common. Aroids and some exotic ornamental plants can be found. A resident otter family can be seen every day along the mangroves. Mousedeers, civet cats and small mammals are found in the interior. Formally a coconut plantation, it is now a wasteland overgrown with lalang and other undergrowth. Strangely not too distant from the coast a whole colony of nepenthes manages to survive the coastal habitat. The muddy seabed also helps mangrove trees to propagate. The soft wood sea hibiscus with the yellow flowers has flourished right to the edge of the beach.
Threats: – Garbage can be seen washed ashore which handicapped the beauty of this natural area. Discharge from the pig farming of Sungai Acheh has affected the water quality of this pristine beach.
The Hills
The hills practically join to form a ridge bisecting the park into West and East. It is fortunate that a dam has been built on the southern east of the park providing the needed buffer zone whereby rich flora and fauna will thrive. The eastern side of the park is therefore a vital water source. This area should be a protected area for wild species against human intrusion.
Potential: - The vast stretch of hills stretching from Teluk Bahang to Pantai Acheh holds great potentials for adventure and tourism. It has undulating topography with ravines and little valleys and hills of irregular height linked by ridges. It is through these ridges that many trails crisscrossed each other to form an intervene web of trails in the park. The highest point is Batu Itam at 1500 feet on the southern flank of park. Bukit Telaga Batu is about 1100 feet and has potential folklore of a 6 inches deep well on a boulder on top the western flank of the hill. The magnificent serviceable lighthouse stands majestically on the Muka Head peak of 242m is still faithfully guiding seafarers into our Penang's water is an attraction by itself. There are several boulders’ caves within these hills which could be a potential sites for bats’ research.
Threats: - There are no other sentry points (beside the main entrance) to the park. Poachers and illegal plant/herbs collectors could enter the park undetected. Future plan to develop a road from Teluk Bahang to Pantai Kerachut could damage the river ecosystem and causes erosion which could damage flora and fauna and the meromictic lake.
Popularity:
Popular with tourists and locals.
It was estimated that during school holidays, the park was crowded with students as well as team building groups. On public holidays, the arrival could reach 500 persons.
Weekends (Saturdays and Sundays) – mostly locals visitors. Estimated average arrival: 200 persons.
Weekdays – mostly foreign tourists. Estimated average arrival: 100 persons.
Campers need permission from the park office. (Figures provided by counter personnel)
Accommodation: (as at May 2008)
No chalet facilities.
Campsite available but needs park permit to camp.
Threats & Challenges:
Garbage: The biggest threat of the park is garbage disposal. Rubbish were strewn everywhere in the park. Most garbage was washed ashore from the tides.
Attitude: Attitude of local picnickers in discarding garbage without any consideration of the cleanliness of the park.
Development: Facilities are well kept especially at Pantai Kerachut and Teluk Tukun. New proposal to develop trails are in the pipeline.
Ecosystem Threat: construction and development of infrastructures have direct impact on the environment such as vegetation removal, animal disturbance, elimination of habitats, impacts on streams and wildlife habitat.
Soil: Soil compaction in well used areas. Soil removal and erosion also occurs and may continue after disturbance is gone.
Vegetation: Concentrated use of facilities has a negative effect on vegetation. Transportation may have direct negative impacts on the environment such as vegetation removal, weed transmission, animal disturbance. Fire frequency may change due to tourists and park tourism management.
Water: Increased demands on fresh water could divert water away from the much needed ecosystem. Disposal of sewage or litter into streams, lake and the sea. Release of oil and fuel from boats. Propeller – driven watercraft may effect certain aquatic plants and species
Air: Motorized transportation may cause pollution from emissions both terrestrial and marine.
Wildlife: Hunting and fishing may change population dynamics. Introduction of exotic species. Impacts occur on insects and small invertebrates from effects of transportation and introduced species. Disturbance by visitors can occur for all species including that are not attracting visitors. Impact of disturbances beyond the breeding, eating and movement of fauna. Marine fauna may be hurt or killed by boat impacts or propeller. Human presents can caused stress and significantly changed wildlife behavior.
Aquaculture: The sludge from the aqualculture will affect the coral reefs and sea grasses off Teluk Duyung, Teluk Ketapang and Teluk Kampi. The beaches will also be affected by the present of the pollutant from the aquaculture.
Mitigation:
Need strict enforcement by the park authority.
Need to provide more rubbish bins at strategic areas and the need to collect them according to schedules.
Declaration of water bottles and food packages brought into the park.
Build sentry post to regulate visitors to the southern end of the park namely Pantai Mas.
Authority should take over the private property at Teluk Duyung and enforce regulation as the present tourism activities are not sustainable and could affect the park ecosystem.
Discourage aquaculture at Pasir Pandak as the effluent from the fish culture could affect the water quality, beaches and marine lives.
Conservation:
Ecotourism acts as an effective conservation tool to conserve natural and cultural heritage of Malaysia. Penang National Park is a unique sanctuary for nature conservation with several distinctive habitats not found in other major nature reserves in Malaysia - meromictic lake, wetlands, mangroves, mudflats, coral reefs and turtle nesting sanctuary.
Wetlands: Meromictic lake of Pantai Kerachut. Peat swamp surrounded part of the lake.
Mangroves: There are two mangrove areas in the park namely Pantai Mas and Sungai Tukun. There are 13 species ie Acanthus ilicifolius, Acrostichum aureum, Avicennia alba, Avicennia officinalis, Bruguiera cylindrical, Bruguiera gymnorrhiza, Derris trifoliate, Excoecaria agallocha, Lumnitzera littorea, Nypa fruticans, Rhizophora apiculata, Sonneratia caseolaris and Sonneratia ovata (Khairun & co, 2003)
Mudflats: An important conservation area for mangrove habitats such as mudskippers, mangroves, nipah, mollusks, otters, mud crabs and other mud dwellers.
Coral reefs: Found only off shore of Teluk Duyung, Teluk Ketapang and Teluk Kampi.
Turtle Nesting Sanctuary: Turtle nesting areas on the shores of Pantai Keruchut, Teluk Ketapang and Teluk Kampi.
Benefits to Local Communities:
Local communities involved in small business including refreshment stores inside the park especially at Teluk Duyung. A mart was set up beside the park entrance for tourists.
Boat operators to ferry tourists and operate tours into the park. There are now at least 20 boat operators compared to only 5 operators during pre-national park status.
How to Get There:
Penang National Park is located at the north-western corner of Penang Island. It is about 30 km from Georgetown. Use coastal road (Route 6) from Georgetown. At the Teluk Bahang roundabout proceed to the end of Jalan Hassan Abas (P247). Penang National Park is at the Fisherman’s Jetty. To go there by bus, use Rapid Penang U101 from Weld Quay. From the park entrance you can either take a boat from Telok Bahang fishing village’s jetty or hike through a network of walking trails to any part of the park.
Important Contacts:
Superintendant
Penang National Park
Jalan Hassan Abas,Teluk Bahang,
11050 Penang
Tel: 604-881 3530/ 881 2016,
Fax: 604-881 2016
E-mail: tnpp@streamyx.com
Director
Department of Wildlife and National Parks Penang
Level 40, KOMTAR, 10000 Penang Road, Penang
Tel: 604-261 3039, Fax: 604-261 0330
E-mail: jphltnpp@streamyx.com
Director General
Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP)
KM10, Jalan Cheras,
56100 Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia.
Tel: 603-90752872
Fax: 603-90752873
Email: pakp@wildlife.gov.my
Experienced Boat Operators:
Ah Chuan: 019-4141996
Atan: 012-4731299
References:
• Perhilitan (2003), Penang National Park -Management Plan Draft Vol 1 & 2, Jabatan Perhilitan
• Merel & etc (1998), A Photographic Guide to Snakes and Other Reptiles of Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand, New Holland Publishers (UK) Ltd.
• Chan Lai Kheng (2003), Pantai Acheh Forest Reserve The Case for a State Park, Penerbit Universiti Sains Malaysia
• NRE (2007), Malaysian Parks Newsletter, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.
• http://www.wildlife.gov.my/tnpp/bmindex.htm
• http://penangnationalpark.blogspot.com/
1 comment:
hi : new update at relaxjom, Heboh Buku anjuran Penerbit USM, relaxjom buat backup kat sana ... apa komen anda tentang assignment baru penulis ini.TQ
* I also got photo trip here before. will publish later and will add link to ypur website. got many info here
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