FINAL VERSION FOR APPROVAL - Sdn Bhd - WWF Malaysia

Gunung Stong State Park Preliminary Management Plan
right over the land, and that it is illegal to hunt, fish, and collect plants (unless for scientific
purposes, and even then with permission from GSSP authorities).
6.8 Zoning
Zoning is a well-established planning tool for protected areas and can be considered to be a
“strategy to control the conflicting uses or demands for use of a protected area”
(DWNP/DANCED, 2001a).
Zoning is for purposes of conserving areas of physical and ecological sensitivity, against
excessive development and human presence that may disturb the ecology and destroy the
attractions that attract visitors in the first place. Zoning must be complemented by physical
and biological monitoring to assess if excessive numbers of visitors had negatively impacted
the ecological base of the area, and remedial actions introduced, which include regulation of
visitor numbers.
Ideally, each management zone should have a carrying capacity (or limits of acceptable
change) study, to have an estimate of the permissible number of visitors at any one time.
However, such a study is not within the scope of this preliminary management plan, and the
number of visitors and their impacts at both the resort and Baha Camp, are still manageable.
Nevertheless, we suggest the following management zoning concept for GSSP (see below)
based on intensities of use as recommended by IUCN guidelines. A map of the zoning plan is
presented in Appendix 6 while Table 6.7 summarises the issues and recommendations for
each zone.
The zoning plan is based on the precautionary principle and therefore most areas remain
within the Strict Conservation Zone until more information is available to indicate that
additional areas can be allocated for the other zones without compromising the ecological
integrity of GSSP. Should such information be available, the zoning plan can be modified in
future, in line with the adaptive management approach.
6.8.1 Intensive Development Zone
This zone includes areas where physical development is concentrated, usually where tourists,
park management, and research facilities are located. Areas included in this zone are the
Stong Resort and the entry point to the Semuliang trail in the southern sector of the park.
Within the Intensive Development Zone, physical development should be concentrated at the
existing resort grounds.
6.8.2 Moderate Use Zone
Areas within the Moderate Use Zone are those where visitors are allowed certain activities
that are compatible with the protected area setting, with low impact tourist services. The
Moderate Use Zone includes Baha Camp and the Benta Plateau. Within this zone,
development is limited to basic infrastructure such as campsites, shelters, toilets and
observation towers.
6.8.3 Limited Use/Wilderness Zone
The Limited Use Zone encompasses areas where limited numbers of visitors are allowed to
enter, but only on foot. Areas included in the zones are the hiking trails, campsites and
mountain peaks. Within the Limited Use Zone, development is limited to the construction of
shelters and signage.
6.8.4 Strict Conservation Zone
No development should be carried out within the Strict Conservation Zone. These are areas
where visitors are not allowed, but scientists doing work are welcome, subject to strict
controls and conditions.
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