{"id":26,"date":"2017-02-18T03:05:32","date_gmt":"2017-02-18T03:05:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/taman-negara.net\/v1\/?page_id=26"},"modified":"2017-02-20T03:47:47","modified_gmt":"2017-02-20T03:47:47","slug":"about-taman-negara","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/taman-negara.net\/v1\/about-taman-negara\/","title":{"rendered":"About Taman Negara"},"content":{"rendered":"

The oldest rainforest in the world<\/p><\/div>\n

Taman Negara<\/strong> (“National Park or Garden”) is Malaysia\u2019s Premier National Park. It is one of the oldest, if not the oldest, unspoilt rainforests in the world and it is estimated to have evolved over 130 million years.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Located mainly in the delightful Malaysian state of Pahang, Taman Negara also straddles the borders of two other states in the north, namely Kelantan and Terengganu. It is accessible via several popular and main access routes, although there are other less developed access points.<\/p>\n

With an area of 4,343 square kilometers (1,676 square miles) or more than a million acres, Taman Negara is the largest park and the most extensive protected rainforest area in Malaysia. \u00a0Besides the dense virgin jungle, it also houses Peninsular Malaysia\u2019s highest mountain in the Tahan Range, namely, Gunung Tahan at 2,187 meters (7,173 feet).<\/p>\n

As a protected area, tree-cutting or logging and other commercial development and activities are strictly prohibited.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

History<\/strong><\/p>\n

Taman Negara was originally set aside, during the British rule, as a wildlife reserve in 1925 by way of a Pahang State Legislation, to protect wildlife and game species in the lush rainforests of Pahang.\u00a0 Gazetted in 1925 as the Gunung Tahan Game Reserve, this early section of the park covered over 1,300 square kilometers (500 square miles) of untouched natural tropical rainforest.<\/p>\n

Following the separate gazettes made through enactments by the states of Pahang, Terengganu and Kelantan in 1938-1939, Taman Negara was later formally established as a national park. These enactments incorporated further extensions of forest areas bordering Pahang in the two northern states of Malaysia.<\/p>\n

The park was originally named in 1939 as the King George V Park to commemorate England\u2019s King George\u2019s Silver Jubilee. After Malaysia achieved independence in 1957, the park was renamed as Taman Negara and remained so until today.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Geography<\/strong><\/p>\n

Taman Negara is the largest and the oldest protected area in the country. It covers 4,343 sq km. The central coordinates are 04\u00b030′ North latitude and 102\u00b059′ East longitude. The altitude ranges from 60m to 2,187m at the summit of Gunung Tahan. This huge area shared among three states: Pahang 2,477 sq km (57%), Kelantan 1,043 sq km (24%) and Trengganu 853 sq km (19%).<\/p>\n

In spite of being so far from the coast, most of the area (57%) lies below 305m above sea level. The Kuala Tahan park headquarters is one of the the lowest point at 120m above sea level. There are several hills in the park above 1,000m elevation, including the highest mountain in Peninsular Malaysia, Gunung Tahan at 2,187m but there are no impressive high-altitude granite formations.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Geology<\/strong><\/p>\n

The rainforest landscape has been geologically stable through out. Thus without any major geophysical upheaval, the forest has evolved relatively uninterrupted since primordial times.\u00a0 The geology is sedimentary rocks, mainly sandstone and shale with some scattered limestone outcrops and caves. Steeply tilted and folded sandstone outcrops are expose along the Sungai Tembeling, especially at Kuala Tahan and Kuala Keniam. Limestone outcrops are found at scattered locations, the highest of which is Gua Peningat (723m).<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Climate<\/strong><\/p>\n

Temperatures in Taman Negara are in the range of 26\u00b0C \u2013 35\u00b0C during the day and 24\u00b0C \u2013 29\u00b0C at night. It depends on the amount of rainfall and sunlight on the day. \u00a0On average, Taman Negara receives 12 hours sunshine each day. \u00a0To make yourself feel comfortable, it is advisable to wear lightweight clothes as the weather is typically hot and humid.<\/p>\n

From mid of November until end of February, the monsoon season often brings more rain to Taman Negara. Normally, the rain comes in the late afternoon or evening and last for a few minutes.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

River<\/strong><\/p>\n

Three tributaries of the Tembeling are within convenient reach for Taman Negara visitors: Sungai Tahan, flowing from Gunung Tahan, the Peninsular\u2019s highest mountain and joining the Tembeling at Kuala Tahan; Sungal Trenggan, in the valley to the east; and Sungai Kenyam, to the east again.<\/p>\n

The nature of the water in the Tahan and Kenyam is derived from the peaty soils of their mountain catchments. Both of these rivers are navigable by smaller (3-4 seater) boats. The Trenggan is generally too shallow but sections of it can be explored on foot from the trails.<\/p>\n

Rainforest rivers such as these, flowing from virgin-forest catchments with no cultivation or human settlements along the banks are rare indeed in South-East Asia today. Although the water may become muddied after heavy rain, these rivers flow clear again after a day or two, with the pebbly bottom visible a metre and more deep.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Flora & Fauna<\/strong><\/p>\n

Malaysia is one of the 12th mega biodiversity areas in the world and Taman Negara’s tropical rainforest indeed is one of the world’s most complex and rich ecosystem. The park is home to about 14,000 species of plants and trees more than other forest in the world.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Tualang tree<\/p><\/div>\n

There are more than 2,400 species of flowering plant, 200 species of mammals, 350 species of birds, 67 species of snakes, 55 species of frogs, 80 species of bat, 30 species of rats and 109 species freshwater fishes (15 species endemic to Taman Negara).<\/p>\n

The vegetations is primary rainforest and can be classified into four main groups:<\/p>\n

\u2022Lowland dipterocarp forest
\n\u2022Hill dipterocarp forest
\n\u2022Montane oak forest
\n\u2022Montane ericaceous forest<\/p>\n

The tualang trees (kompassia excelsea), the tallest tree in South East Asia are mostly found on the plains along with a variety of hardwoods such as meranti (shores spp.) and keruing (dipterocarps spp.). Epiphytes such as ferns and rare species of orchids are abundant here, while oaks, laurel and conifers are found on the intermediate slopes.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Taman Negara (“National Park or Garden”) is Malaysia\u2019s Premier National Park. It is one of the oldest, if not the oldest, unspoilt rainforests in the world and it is estimated to have evolved over 130 million years. Located mainly in the delightful Malaysian state of Pahang, Taman Negara also straddles the borders of two other… <\/p>\n

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