War Zone at National Park

Who don't know that the government's duty is to develop?

Develop it must but it was on the expense of nature.

And then when certain officials neglected their duties, we the citizens have to pay for more development.

At Kuala Koh

Already the canopy walk had been closed. A new one to replace the depleted canopy is under negotiation. The bridge across the river was locked unless a ranger accompany you. This has been the 3rd bridge built after the 2 previous bridges were washed away by floods. Trails were overgrown and inaccessible to trekkers. And so there are not much activities one can do at Kuala Koh except fishing.

The Locals

And so eco-tourists avoided this part of the National Park. The local nature guides were without guiding assignments. And to supplement their income, they become boatmen ferrying anglers to fishing locations. Anglers are welcome but eco-tourists are left without much to do.

Previously - 2004

Back then in 2004 under different supertainent, chalets and hostels were neglected. Fungi and mosses were seen on pillows, blankets and mattresses. Fans were thick with soot. The canopy walk was useable then but lack upkeep. Thing was messy. Tourists avoided this place for lack of maintainence on the accomodations. I avoided it for more than two years.

Now - 2007

Lodging is now privatised. Chalets and hostels are now conducive to sleep. The food at the canteen is now palatable. But tourists are not coming. They are not coming because of lack of trekking activities. And so to increase the flow of people coming to the park, fishing was encouraged. Fishing permit is not necessary infront of the park office. Bathers could not swim at that fishing site.

War Zones

The beach infront of the park office at Kuala Koh is now like war zone.
Notice the amount of rubbish and anglers with the messy "war zone" lookalike.
The water pump intake is situated at the center of this photo. With so many anglers, I am not sure about the water quality.


I saw a plastic container drifting down the river. I wondered how many of these rubbish were dumped into the river by anglers. I believe there was no control of food wrappers taken into the park and no control of pollution.

Who is at Fault?

It is not the fault on the present park administrators. The problems were passed down from the previous park authority. To help the local guides and boatmen, fishing were widely encouraged by the present authority. Trails were not clear for nature tourists. Trekking to Kuala Pertang was cut off. Even the rubber tubing which started from Kuala Pertang was shortened to Lata Sinar. And so eco-tourists were turned away. Anglers are welcome at the expense of the fish.

Imagine a national park to encourage the destruction of fauna (ie fish). This can only happen in Bolehland! Now they have to decide between eco-tourists and anglers.

Sorry fish, your life are numbered!
People, go there to support ecotourism!