Introduction

Sarawak is one of the two Malaysian states located on the great island of Borneo, Sabah being the other state. Borneo is the third largest island in the world after Greenland and New Guinea. On account of its immense richness in plant and animal species, Borneo is a centre of biodiversity in tropical Asia

This book is a comprehensive reference and guide to Sarawak’s national parks and wildlife sanctuaries. Accounts on the plant and animal life as well as the geology (including, e.g., caves and landscapes) present an overview of Sarawak’s natural history. Each park and sanctuary is covered in an individual chapter. Route descriptions complete with trail maps highlight points of special interest in the landscape and plant life. Chances of seeing animals in the parks are considerably improved by the facts provided on their habits. Safety information and equipment lists complete the preparation for an enjoyable visit. Park rules require that rubbish be brought back to the Park Headquarters and disposed there. This is simple courtesy to other visitors.
Sarawak currently has 10 national parks. Together, these cover an area of about 1153 sq. km (115,334 ha), which is slightly less than one percent of the land area of the state. The parks are of enormous importance in attracting foreign tourism to the state as well as in providing recreation to Malaysians. Well over 200,000 visitors to the parks were recorded in 1994 and 85% of these were Malaysians, the remaining 15% being foreigners. Visitor figures nearly doubled between 1994 and 1997. Schools of nearby towns increasingly use the parks for nature education.

Sarawak has three wildlife sanctuaries . Between them, they cover 1749 sq. km (174,851 ha), or 1.4% of Sarawak’s land area. The distinction between a national park and a wildlife sanctuary is based on landuse or function. All plant and animal life is protected in both, but a national park is open to the public under certain conditions. A wildlife sanctuary is strictly for conservation of habitat and biodiversity, so public access is strictly limited. Wildlife sanctuaries are only visited by people with specific purposes such as wildlife researchers and forest wardens. However, each of the two current inland wildlife sanctuaries has a complementary national park where the public can see similar habitats and animals. In the case of Samunsam Wildlife Sanctuary, Bako is the complementary park while Lanjak-Entimau Wildlife Sanctuary is paired with Batang Ai National Park.

World-class wonders of nature can be enjoyed in the parks. For example, the world’s largest cave, Southeast Asia’s longest cave passage, giant flowers, “insect-eating” plants, more than a million bats streaming out of a cave at dusk, flying foxes—the largest of the world’s flying mammals—with a wing span that may exceed 1.5 m, huge knife-sharp pinnacles of limestone, the richest forests in Malaysia (for tree species), one of the richest sites on earth for palms and the tallest tree in the tropics. A great variety of landscapes, plant life and animal life occurs in these areas: beautiful beaches, coastal cliffs, small tropical islands on which turtles lay their eggs, mangrove forests, rain forests with waterfalls and cool streams, mountain slopes and high plateaux . Many animals and plants occur only in Borneo, and some occur only in Sarawak! Some are even restricted to a very small area in Sarawak and occur nowhere else in the world. For instance, at least two “insect-eating” pitcher-plants (Nepenthes muluensis and N. murudensis) are unique to Sarawak’s highest mountains (Gunung Mulu and Gunung Murud

Few places on Earth can be as exciting and diverse in their offering of nature as is Sarawak, Malaysia's largest state. Occupying a geologically and biologically very rich portion of northwest Borneo, Sarawak is undoubtedly one of the world's great places for species, wilderness and landscapes. A natural magnet for all interested in tropical forests and life--including a fine retinue of the most serious naturalists, scholars and adventurers--Sarawak boasts an immensely impressive range of wildlife and flora, and is synonymous with our spontaneous inclinations in nature and discovery.
 For the first time, presented in this book, is an account of where the magnificent nature of Sarawak is safeguarded for posterity: the national parks, where gigantic flowers, towering trees, mysterious caves, serene tropical streams and the most unimaginable variety (and yet, perhaps, secretive) of animal life abound. Here is, above all, a celebration of the wonders of God’s creation that reside in the parks. And, finally, to the rejoice of travellers, biologists and all who are after natural history of the most surprising and spellbinding quality, here is a book full of interesting and practical information, images of the most enthralling form, and inspiration for the careful conservation of life and heritage. Sarawak, the "Land of the Hornbills", has some of the most captivating national parks one can ever experience.