Tread with care

VENTURING into the wild can be a pretty spectacular experience, even more so when you’ve just escaped from the hustle and bustle of the city. But while it’s easy to marvel at all the greenery before you, it’s also important to know the regulations.

Data sourced by Tourism Malaysia revealed that there were over 1.48 million ecotourism travellers to the country last year. The bulk of tourists (882,722) are inbound visitors. As more and more people tread into our many parks, it’s vital that the rules of a park are observed so as not to disrupt the natural surroundings.

The Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan), on its website, states that all flora and fauna in the park are protected under the law. Thus, collection of flowers or insects at the park is strictly prohibited. Any harmful activities towards animals at the park are also forbidden.

That being said, the department recommends reaching out to the guides at the park to plan your time there.

“The best way to plan your activities would be to discuss with your nature guide upon arrival to plan your activities based on your interest, ability and time available,” it states.

Here are some general rules and regulations when visiting national parks:

DON’T destroy or remove plants and animals.

DON’T litter, be sure to bring out any rubbish with you.

DON’T bring any small children and pets.

DO keep noises to a minimum and respect nature’s silence.

DO interact with park guides for recommendations.