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It is the
smallest national park in the country with a size of
2,562 hectares. It was gazette in 2003 and is home to 46
species of birds such as the stork-billed kingfishers,
white-breasted waterhens and great egrets. A 2000
expedition led by the Malaysian Nature Society recorded
417 flora and 143 fauna species. Before the area was
designated as a national park, the locals knew it as
Pantai Acheh Forest Reserve. Some of the activities
carried out are fishing, swimming and hiking
The pure,
sandy stretch of Pantai Kerachut is also a favourite
nesting place of Green turtles from April to August, and
the Olive Ridley from September to February. The turtle
hatchery set up in Pantai Kerachut in 1995 is now
managed by the State Fisheries Department along with the
Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan)
and the Forestry Department. They also manage the upkeep
of the park, which is in pristine conditions.
Some of
the best hardwood trees can be found here, especially
from the shores species, such as Meranti and Merawan
Baru. In fact, the area is the only known place in
Penang where the red, paper-like barked Gelam trees
grow. The bio-diversity of the park is also impressive,
with 1,000 species of plants including five different
species of the Bintangor tree.
Besides
this, the park is the only one in Malaysia that contains
six different types of habitat a meromictic lake (a lake
that occurs seasonally, where there is a distinct
layering of waters), wetlands, mangroves, mudflats,
coral reefs and turtle nesting beaches. There are also
various plant pitchers, wild orchids and funghi, and
medicinal plants. |
Car or Boat
There are two entry points to the park, one is at Kuala
Sungai Pinang via boat or the other entry point is Teluk
Bahang, which is easily accessible by car. Penang
National Park is less than 45 minutes by road from the
capital, George Town. The journey passes through urban
and rural settings along the northern coastal road of
Tanjung Tokong, Tanjung Bungah, Batu Ferringhi and Teluk
Bahang towns. The first entrance to the park is at Teluk
Bahang, or you can take a boat from Kampung Kuala Sungai
Pinang. Trails through the park are well-paved with
ample signages.
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