Hornbill Conservation in Taman Negara Could Attract Foreign Tourists

The Malaysian government is urged to officially designate the Hornbill Valley in Kuala Tahan as a Hornbill Conservation Center. This move aims to safeguard the habitat of these magnificent birds while simultaneously invigorating the ecotourism sector within Taman Negara (National Park).

Roslan Abu Kassim, chairman of the Taman Negara Bird Group (BGTN), highlighted that the valley serves as a vital habitat for nine out of the ten hornbill species found in Malaysia. It is a frequent destination for birdwatching enthusiasts and researchers from both within Malaysia and abroad. The establishment of a dedicated conservation center is deemed essential to ensure the continued protection of hornbill species, particularly the critically endangered Helmeted Hornbill.

"Without systematic breeding and conservation efforts, the Helmeted Hornbill and eight other species might face extinction in the future," Roslan stated. BGTN has previously presented a proposal to a government agency for the gazetting of the Tembeling Hornbill Valley, an area spanning approximately 10 kilometers from Kampung Kuala Tahan to Bukit Awan in Ulu Tembeling, as the primary hornbill habitat. This proposal was also promoted at an international bird exhibition in Rutland, England, in 2016. The gazetting should be accompanied by a ban on encroachment and logging to preserve the hornbills' habitat.

BGTN also suggests the construction of strategically located birdwatching hides to facilitate activities for tourists, bird enthusiasts, and researchers. The group has been organizing the Taman Negara Bird Watching Program (TNBC) since 2014, attracting international participants. This year, over 2,000 tourists, including those from the Netherlands, Romania, and England, visited the area for birdwatching, highlighting its potential as a world-class tourism product, especially during the peak season from March to September.