Strategic Implementation Plan (SIP) for the Proposed Taman Negara Tourism Development

Taman Negara National park, which covers an area of 4,343 km2 spreading across three states (Pahang, Terengganu and Kelantan) was established in 1939 and estimated to be 130 million years old. Being the oldest tropical rainforest in the world, Taman Negara offers a variety of ecotourism activities which include forest exploration, river rides, mountain climbing and cave exploration.
Taman Negara has the potential to be listed in the National Economic Transformation Project under EPP4 of Global Biodiversity Hub, where it can be accredited as one of the international standards eco-tourism location. Taman Negara has been developed into a famous eco-tourism destination in Malaysia, with increasing number of international tourist arrivals and is the most visited eco-tourism spot in peninsular Malaysia.
In order to enhance the development of Taman Negara as a whole, a Strategic Implementation Plan (SIP) which includes a proposal for an integrated management (project, program and investment) maintenance and operation plan for Taman Negara, should be implemented for a comprehensive long-term review.
Kevin Erwin was appointed as the lead environmental consultant. The firm leading the project was KW Associates Planners, Shah Alam, Malaysia. Kevin Erwin led the assessments of watersheds, wetlands and biodiversity elements and coordinated syndications with numerous NGOs, state and federal agencies. The final SIP was based upon the ecological platform developed and referred to as the Integrated Environmental Management Plan.
The project was completed in November 2012.