Daily Express Subscriber
Sign in to your account.

TAWAU: The State Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment (KePKAS) takes pride in the successful effort of Sabah Parks in conserving and preserving the Tawau Hills Park (THP) over the last 45 years for leisure, health, family, education, research and tourism benefits.

Its Minister Datuk Christina Liew said this was evidenced by the fact that THP remains the last unique gigantic tropical rainforest with volcanic soil in Borneo.

Taman Bukit Tawau, a primary tropical rainforest covering an area of 27,972 hectares, was gazetted on May 7, 1979. 

“This area has never been logged, so if we want to see the real jungle, this is the place. It is an important water catchment area in the Tawau district. 

“As such, KePKAS, together with Sabah Parks, has been very careful in developing this area due to its sensitive nature.

“Under KePKAS, efforts to upgrade the public facilities at THP to provide comfort to visitors have been ongoing since 2021 until this year. Tourism infrastructure development projects were completed at a cost of RM4.3 million. 

“These include the construction of a new viewing platform and broad-way to the waterfall site, and the building of public toilets, new car parks, fences and the gate,” Liew said at a recent event to mark the 25th Anniversary of THP Gazettement, here.

The text of her speech was read by Sabah Parks Chairman Peter Lintar. 

On the importance of Tawau Hills Park, Liew stressed that it is not only a recreational area in the district for family bonding but also a favourite place for fans of extreme activities, where the hilly and challenging terrain tests physical and mental strength. 

“This is because there are three main peaks to conquer, namely Mount Magdalena with a height of 1,310 metres, Mount Lucia (1,202 metres) and Mount Maria (1,083 metres),” she said.

And with its diversity and abundance of flora and fauna of high value, the Minister noted that Tawau Hills Park is not only a haven for wildlife observation but also an iconic research area to both domestic and international researchers who have conducted research on birds, insects and the Bornean clouded leopard, among others.

Collaboration by THP’s stakeholders is crucial for continued conservation in the years to come, Liew added.