FINAL VERSION FOR APPROVAL - Sdn Bhd - WWF Malaysia

Gunung Stong State Park Preliminary Management Plan
Summary of Key Issues and Actions Required
No. ISSUE DESCRIPTION ACTION
1. Formal
demarcation of
boundaries.
2. Fragmentation of
GSSP by the
Jelawang-Gua
Musang Road.
3. Management of
the Dabong group
of caves.
4. Land
encroachment
along the fringes
of GSSP.
The boundaries of GSSP must be
formally surveyed and demarcated
before a gazettement can be done.
Without formal surveys law
enforcement at GSSP is contestable.
The road has effectively separated
GSSP into 2 parts: a large western
portion, and the smaller eastern
portion. The road provides greater
access for encroachment, and is a
security risk.
The Dabong group of caves
(including Gua Ikan, Gua Keris,
Gua Pagar and Gua Setol) are
important bat roosting sites and sites
for endemic plants. Though not part
of the GSSP, the Dabong group of
caves is also an important tourism
attraction and usually form part of
visitor packages to GSSP.
Fringes of GSSP are encroached for
farming actitivities, some as far as
40 years ago, some with uncertain
legal status, if not yet converted to
stateland. The formation of GSSP
may lead to two options: the
excision of the encroached areas out
of the total protected area, or the
absorption of these encroached
areas as part of GSSP. However, the
latter option may lead to issues of
land acquisition and compensation.
Proper boundary demarcation is
a priority so that the park can be
legally constituted and law
enforcement can be carried out
effectively.
It is recommended that the
eastern portion be excised out
of GSSP and replaced by the G.
Stong Utara Forest Reserve as
part of GSSP. The road then
becomes an effective eastern
boundary of GSSP.
The management of the Dabong
group of caves should be
integrated into that of GSSP.
This could be achieved by
gazetting the caves as part of
the Serasa Forest Reserve
(currently covering an area of
10,338 ha).
A special sub-committee should
be formed to deliberate on this
issue and recommend which
areas should be alienated and
which should be retained as part
of the GSSP.
iii