Taman Negara lined-up as Unesco World Heritage Site

The government has applied to make Taman Negara as a Unesco World Heritage Site, the third after Mulu National Park and Kinabalu Park.

Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Datul Seri Dr James Dawos Mamit said the move was to ensure that the country's flora and fauna were conserved and protected.

"We have submitted documents to Unesco to consider the application. The process may take some time, but it must be done to protect the wildlife and plants in Taman Negara," he told reporters after launching the 1Malaysia Biodiversity Enforcement Operation (1MBEON) and 75th anniversary celebration of Taman Negara in Kuala Tahan here, Wednesday.

It was also attended by Bank Negara assistant governor Norzila Abdul Aziz and Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) director-general Datuk Abd Rasid Samsudin.

Dawos said in order to protect Taman Negara, the government implemented the 1MBEON programme which involves the Armed Forces (ATM) and Perhilitan.

"The collaboration with the ATM is in addition to Ops Jelai. This is because Perhilitan staff are not well trained as the military to act against intruders."

He said 13 foreigners were arrested and charged in court following five 1MBEON programmes in the last few months.

"With the collaboration of the ATM, the number of intrusions by foreign scientists searching for medicinal plants can hopefully be reduced."

Taman Negara, which straddles Pahang, Terengganu dan Kelantan is a habitat for 150 species of mammals, 53 species of fish, 479 species of birds and more than 3,000 plants.