Location: Johor and Pahang Map
Area: 870 kmĀ²
Endau-Rompin State Park is one of the few lowland tropical
rainforests in Malaysia. Located at the confluence of Sungai
Endau and Sungai Rompin in Johor bordering Pahang, this area of
50,000 hectares (500 square kilometers) is estimated to be
around 250 million years old.
Various types of unique
plants are found here such as keruing, meranti, ferns, pitchers
and forest orchids. Around 1985, a scientific expedition
discovered 25 new plant species.
In Endau-Rompin National
Park there is also a lot of wildlife such as tigers, elephants
and wild boars as well as the largest number of Sumatran rhinos
in the world. Other local species include the binturung (bear
cat) and Ungka Tangan Putih (white handed gibbon) which is the
only mawas species in this area. Here there are also many types
of insects and birds that are rarely found elsewhere.
There are also many waterfalls and small trails in this State
Park. Buaya Sangkut Waterfall with a height of 120 meters is the
most beautiful waterfall area. It has five floors and is able to
flow four tenths of five million liters of water per minute.
This area is also full of myths and legends and has become a
popular recreation and tourism area in Malaysia. Many tourists
like to track this forest, especially in the habitat of the
Jakun tribe where they can hear the stories of the enchanted
forest myths. The park also provides valuable insight into the
unique culture of the indigenous people, the techniques of
bravery and the skills of hunting and animal tracking.
Camping is the most popular accommodation. There are four
camping sites that can accommodate about 300 hundred people,
namely in Kuala Jasin, Batu Hampar, Upeh Guling and Kuala
Marong. Currently, this park is planning to provide more
facilities to tourists in line with the goal of establishing
this national park as a major tourist destination.
Endau-Rompin State Park is closed during the rainy season from
November to March. Fishing is not allowed during the spawning
season from September to October.
The journey to Endau-Rompin State Park starts from Kampung Peta, which is a Hulu village. From Kampung Peta, tourists can take a small boat for 40 minutes to reach the Kuala Jasin camping area. From here, they have to walk about six hours to reach the Buaya Sangkut Waterfall area.
The park is the second national park to be declared by the Malaysian
government. The first national park to be declared is Taman Negara.
The Endau and Rompin rivers flow through the Endau-Rompin National
Park. Hence the park got their name. Other rivers are Sigamt, Jelai and
Jasin rivers.
Fishing is prohibited in September and October
There are two official entrances to Endau-Rombin National Park: Kampung
Peta entrance located on the eastern border in Mersing District; and the
Jelai gateway located on the south-western border in Sigamt district.
During the rainy season from November to March, the park is closed
to the public. The two months of September and October are the breeding
season of fish. So fishing has been banned during that time.
Endau in 1892; The first forest surveys in Romp areas were by H.W.
Lake and Lt. H. Carried out by British officers named Lieutenant H.J.
Kelsall. In 1933 it was gazetted by the Government of Malaya as a Forest
Reserve.
Later in 1972, the park was expanded by incorporating
the Lesong Forest in Bagang into the Endau-Rombin National Park.
National Parks Act 1980 (Malaysia)
In 1980, the National Parks Act
1980 (Malaysia) was passed by the Malaysian Parliament. However,
disagreements between the federal central government and state
governments prevented the creation of a national park in the Endau; Romp
region.
Endao however; A dangerous situation has been reported
for the Sumatran rhinoceros in Romp. This resulted in the creation of
the Wildlife and National Parks Act five years later. As a sequel to it,
Endau; Parts of the romp are officially designated as wildlife
sanctuaries.
Endau-Rombin National Park is one of the oldest tropical rainforest
complexes in the world. 248 million year old rock formations.
Endau-Rombin National Park is home to some of the rarest species.
Mammals include Malayan tiger, Indochinese leopard, Clouded leopard,
Asian golden cat, leopard cat, marbled cat, Asian elephant. , Malayan
tapir, Bornean bearded pig, Banded pig, Barking deer, Sambar deer,
Lesser mouse-deer.
The extinct Sumatran rhinoceros
Greater
mouse-deer, Sun bear, Long-tailed macaque, Pig-tailed macaque, Dusky
leaf monkey and Bark langur Rare species like (Raffles' banded langur)
are also found here.
The park used to have the largest population
of Northern Sumatran rhinoceros, but all of these rhinos are now
completely extinct in the wilds of Malaysia.