Totally Protected Areas within Sarawak Delta Geopark
WHAT IS A GEOPARK?
A region containing geological sites and landscapes of international (national) interest managed holistically based on the concept of preservation, education and sustainable development
TPAs Within Sarawak Delta Geopark
1. Talang Satang National Park
Talang-Satang NP consists of 4 islands. Talang Besar island is a favourite among the turtles, having recorded the most number of landings every year. Satang Kecil has no recorded landings because of limited beach space for the turtles to lay their eggs. A special permit is needed to visit this high sensitivity site. Turtle conservation is the main reason these islands were gazetted.
2. Santubong National Park
Santubong NP is located on the Damai Peninsula, 35km north of Kuching. Seen from sea level, its irregular rainforest-covered peaks rise steeply up to 810m high, forming a safe haven for a variety of wildlife eg. Rhinoceros hornbill, Proboscis monkey, Silvered langur etc. The main activity here is hiking to the summit and taking a refreshing plunge in the waterfall. Its striking peak is visible from Kuching on sunny days.
3. Bako National Park
Bako National Park is one of the most popular national parks in Sarawak. Besides the Bearded pigs, you can find the Silvered langurs, Monitor lizards, Flying lemurs, Proboscis monkeys and Bornean Keeled Green Pit Vipers. Bako’s extensive trail system offer a range of walking and hiking options. The fit and adventurous can opt for full-day jungle hikes or overnight camping trips, whilst those who prefer to take it easy can opt for a relaxing walk. Remember to visit the sandstone formation at Tanjung Sapi, a 5-min walk from the park headquarters.
4. Selabat Mudflats Nature Reserve
Selabat Mudflats NR is an important foraging site for migratory birds within the East Asian-Australasian Flyway Network. They land here annually to feed and rest before proceeding on their journey to wintering countries in the southern hemisphere.
5. Sama Jaya Nature Reserve
A patch of jungle right in the city, Sama Jaya Nature Reserve gives city dwellers a place to breathe in fresh air while getting some much needed exercise with its jogging tracks. Besides giant pandan plants, palm trees and Meranti trees, this small patch of forest also provide shelter for frogs, Western Tarsiers and owls.
6. Semenggoh Nature Reserve
Semenggoh Wildlife Centre is situated within this nature reserve. It is an important sanctuary for semi-wild orangutans. Some of them choose to come back for supplementary feedings at 9am and 3pm daily. During fruiting seasons, the orangutans do not appear as they have enough to eat in the forests.
7. Bungo Range National Park
Bungo Range NP was gazetted in 2009. It is about 500 meters above the sea level and is an important water catchment area in the upstream of the Sarawak Kiri River and Sarawak Kanan River. The Bengoh Dam was built to provide adequate water to meet current as well as future demands of the greater part of Kuching.
8. Dered Krian National Park
Dered Krian NP was gazetted back in 2013. Just like Wind Cave and Fairy Cave, the park also has limestone caves. It covers a total area of 1,339 hectares and its majestic view can be seen from Tasik Biru.
9. Wind Cave and Fairy Cave Nature Reserves
These two nature reserves are situated in Bau. They make up one of the oldest cave systems in Sarawak. The caves’ main features include stalagmites and stalactites. Fairy Cave is located 10 minutes away from Wind Cave. While Wind Cave is famous for its bats, Fairy Cave is well-known for its variety of limestone plants that can be found within the cave.
10. Kuching Wetland National Park
Kuching Wetland NP is the 5th RAMSAR site in Malaysia. Several villages, such as Kpg. Semariang, Kpg. Salak, Kpg. Sibu Laut and Kpg. Telaga Air are located near the boundary of the park. It is very important as a breeding ground for commercial fishes and prawns. The mangrove forest also serve as a sieve, trapping washed-up rubbish from threatening the aquatic and marine life in the river and the sea.
11. Pulau Tukong Ara-Banun Wildlife Sanctuary
Pulau Tukong Ara & Pulau Banun make up the sanctuary. They only measure a total area of 1.4 hectares, making them the smallest Totally Protected Area in Sarawak. Both are very small patches of rocks but were gazetted in 1985 to protect the nesting grounds of the Bridled tern and the Black-naped tern. The sharp, rocky edges around the islands make it impossible for unskilled boatmen to land.
A region containing geological sites and landscapes of international (national) interest managed holistically based on the concept of preservation, education and sustainable development
TPAs Within Sarawak Delta Geopark
1. Talang Satang National Park
Talang-Satang NP consists of 4 islands. Talang Besar island is a favourite among the turtles, having recorded the most number of landings every year. Satang Kecil has no recorded landings because of limited beach space for the turtles to lay their eggs. A special permit is needed to visit this high sensitivity site. Turtle conservation is the main reason these islands were gazetted.
2. Santubong National Park
Santubong NP is located on the Damai Peninsula, 35km north of Kuching. Seen from sea level, its irregular rainforest-covered peaks rise steeply up to 810m high, forming a safe haven for a variety of wildlife eg. Rhinoceros hornbill, Proboscis monkey, Silvered langur etc. The main activity here is hiking to the summit and taking a refreshing plunge in the waterfall. Its striking peak is visible from Kuching on sunny days.
3. Bako National Park
Bako National Park is one of the most popular national parks in Sarawak. Besides the Bearded pigs, you can find the Silvered langurs, Monitor lizards, Flying lemurs, Proboscis monkeys and Bornean Keeled Green Pit Vipers. Bako’s extensive trail system offer a range of walking and hiking options. The fit and adventurous can opt for full-day jungle hikes or overnight camping trips, whilst those who prefer to take it easy can opt for a relaxing walk. Remember to visit the sandstone formation at Tanjung Sapi, a 5-min walk from the park headquarters.
4. Selabat Mudflats Nature Reserve
Selabat Mudflats NR is an important foraging site for migratory birds within the East Asian-Australasian Flyway Network. They land here annually to feed and rest before proceeding on their journey to wintering countries in the southern hemisphere.
5. Sama Jaya Nature Reserve
A patch of jungle right in the city, Sama Jaya Nature Reserve gives city dwellers a place to breathe in fresh air while getting some much needed exercise with its jogging tracks. Besides giant pandan plants, palm trees and Meranti trees, this small patch of forest also provide shelter for frogs, Western Tarsiers and owls.
6. Semenggoh Nature Reserve
Semenggoh Wildlife Centre is situated within this nature reserve. It is an important sanctuary for semi-wild orangutans. Some of them choose to come back for supplementary feedings at 9am and 3pm daily. During fruiting seasons, the orangutans do not appear as they have enough to eat in the forests.
7. Bungo Range National Park
Bungo Range NP was gazetted in 2009. It is about 500 meters above the sea level and is an important water catchment area in the upstream of the Sarawak Kiri River and Sarawak Kanan River. The Bengoh Dam was built to provide adequate water to meet current as well as future demands of the greater part of Kuching.
8. Dered Krian National Park
Dered Krian NP was gazetted back in 2013. Just like Wind Cave and Fairy Cave, the park also has limestone caves. It covers a total area of 1,339 hectares and its majestic view can be seen from Tasik Biru.
9. Wind Cave and Fairy Cave Nature Reserves
These two nature reserves are situated in Bau. They make up one of the oldest cave systems in Sarawak. The caves’ main features include stalagmites and stalactites. Fairy Cave is located 10 minutes away from Wind Cave. While Wind Cave is famous for its bats, Fairy Cave is well-known for its variety of limestone plants that can be found within the cave.
10. Kuching Wetland National Park
Kuching Wetland NP is the 5th RAMSAR site in Malaysia. Several villages, such as Kpg. Semariang, Kpg. Salak, Kpg. Sibu Laut and Kpg. Telaga Air are located near the boundary of the park. It is very important as a breeding ground for commercial fishes and prawns. The mangrove forest also serve as a sieve, trapping washed-up rubbish from threatening the aquatic and marine life in the river and the sea.
11. Pulau Tukong Ara-Banun Wildlife Sanctuary
Pulau Tukong Ara & Pulau Banun make up the sanctuary. They only measure a total area of 1.4 hectares, making them the smallest Totally Protected Area in Sarawak. Both are very small patches of rocks but were gazetted in 1985 to protect the nesting grounds of the Bridled tern and the Black-naped tern. The sharp, rocky edges around the islands make it impossible for unskilled boatmen to land.