Abstract

Penang National Park was declared on 4th April, 2003 and gazetted under the National Parks Act on April 10, 2003. It is a timely step towards the protection of Penang’s conservation and natural resources. The increasing population density and the advancement in modern infrastructures will continue to contribute to the increase of stress to nature resources. The creations of National Parks are related to the philosophy of conservation and natural resources. It has been accepted that the original thought of National Parks was as recreational forests. Today, they are much more than that. They are concerned with the protection of our natural resources including water catchments areas, forestry, natural heritage, and management of wildlife, educational and scientific research interest and tourism. They are essential for a quality life of Malaysians. In Malaysia, the National Parks Act 1980, National Parks (Amendment) Act 1983 (NPA) developed to protect and assure the natural heritages are well defined for the well being of Malaysia. As human population and food resources become increasingly sacred and more critical, the future of our national parks to protect the natural habitat of the flora and fauna are being challenged. Although it is unrealistic to assume that these places will provide sufficient refuge, it warrants the intervention of proper management system on policing and enforcement of the National Parks’ acts.