PENANG ISLAND RESIDENTS are spoilt for choice when it comes to access to pristine and unspoiled natural green spaces—whether it’s a quick brisk walk around the Penang Botanic Gardens or a challenging hike up to the summit of Penang Hill. We also have access to protected areas such as Teluk Bahang on the northwest coast of the island, home to the Penang National Park (PNP) which falls under the jurisdiction and management of the Department of Wildlife and National Parks Malaysia (Perhilitan).

An important and integral part of the UNESCO Penang Hill Biosphere Reserve (PHBR) designated in 2021, PNP was established in 2003 and measures just 25.63km2 (1,213ha) in size, making it the smallest national park in Malaysia established under the National Park Act of 1980. It is a treasure trove of biodiversity, comprising of hills and lowland dipterocarp and mangrove forests, sandy beaches and marine ecosystems. It is home to 417 species of flora and 143 species of fauna, and is an important component of the network of green spaces, or urban biodiversity, which make Penang one of the most liveable places in the region and the world.

The beaches in PNP include Monkey Beach, Pantai Kerachut, Teluk Kampi and Pantai Emas, just to name a few. There is a Turtle Conservation and Information Centre operated by the Department of Fisheries Malaysia at Pantai Kerachut where you can learn about the Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas) and the Olive Ridley Turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea) which are listed by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as “Endangered” and “Vulnerable”, respectively. Pantai Kerachut is also home to a meromictic lake, a seasonal lake fed by two distinct layers of water, one salty and the other fresh, that do not mix—the only one in Malaysia and one of only three such lakes in Asia.

The beauty of it all is how easily accessible PNP is, being just a short 35- to 45-minute drive from the heart of the George Town World Heritage Site, depending on traffic. A leisurely drive along the scenic coastal road linking Tanjung Bungah to Batu Feringghi and from there on to Teluk Bahang is an experience in itself. Breathtaking views greet you at literally almost every turn. Perhaps a stop at the K(an)opi Coffee at the Tropical Spice Garden along the way may be on the cards as well.

As you enter the now not-so-sleepy fishing village of Teluk Bahang, you are greeted by the giant Nephentes or pitcher plant sculpture at the roundabout which points the way towards the entrance to PNP. Park your car at one of the outdoor car parks and make your way towards the Perhilitan Park Office to register before proceeding on your hike. Be sure to arrange for a boat taxi to come pick you up from your desired destination at your preferred and designated time later in the day.

My personal favourites include a hike to Monkey Beach for some sundowners followed by a short boat ride back to the park entrance at dusk. Also enjoyable is a hike to either Pantai Kerachut or Teluk Kampi to simply enjoy the white sandy beaches and (relatively) clean waters there. For the more resilient, a hike to the Muka Head Lighthouse from Monkey Beach is a must.

If you have time or the interest, visit the Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies (CEMACS) run by Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). There, you will learn about some of the cutting-edge work they are doing to increase food security for Malaysians and address some of the effects of climate change on the marine environment.

Making PNP More Attractive

While already charming and worthy of a visit in many ways, as the saying goes, there is always room for improvement. In this regard, Perhilitan recently raised the admission fees for entry into PNP from RM5 to RM10 per Malaysian adult. Hopefully this will provide the park management with the resources required to invest in better facilities to improve visitor experience. Basic amenities like public toilets and bathrooms equipped with hot showers would already help improve things tremendously.

Strategic partnerships in the form of public-private partnerships with like-minded and responsible private sector operators to provide nature-based activities (for example, bird watching, nature guided walks and tours, adventure activities—preferably of the non-motorised variety—and heritage walks focusing on the history and culture of the park) would go along way to introduce quality, world-class programmes and experiences for visitors to the park. This would also have the added benefit of generating sustainable financing for the park to further improve its management and operations.

Strategic collaboration with academia and like-minded organisations with an interest in scientific research and environmental conservations would also help raise the Park’s profile. In this context, leveraging on the fact that PNP is an important and integral part of the recently designated PHBR and building bridges to connect with potential local and international collaborators and partners (including funding partners) would help PNP reach its full potential as a rich source of natural biological heritage—not just for Penang, but also for Malaysia.

Scientific research within the PHBR starting in the highlands of Penang Hill and ending at the coastal and marine ecosystems of PNP would offer scientists a unique opportunity to study, among other things, the effects of climate change on the flora and fauna at different elevations. The establishment of permanent plots can be explored with partners such as Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM), the Forestry Department of Peninsular Malaysia (FDPM), the South East Asian Rainforest Research Partnership (SEARRP) and others as a means to facilitate long-term climate research within the PHBR.

Other initiatives to explore include looking to register PNP and perhaps the greater PHBR area as part of a voluntary carbon credit and offset regime, like the Darulaman Sanctuary (DAS) in Langkawi—the Malaysian Forest Fund (MFF) recently worked with ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, to fund forest conservation efforts at DAS to decarbonise the latter’s data centre operations in the country.

Protecting and supporting PNP and the surrounding PHBR requires the active involvement of the greater community. This support can manifest in responsible visitation, contributions to upkeep and thoughtful exploration of the diverse ecosystems.