Batang Ai National Park
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| Batang Ai National Park | |
|---|---|
| IUCN Category II (National Park) | |
| Location: | Sarawak, Malaysia |
| Area: | 240 km² |
| Established: | 1991 |
| Governing body: | Sarawak Forestry |
Batang Ai National Park is located in the Sri Aman Division of Sarawak, in eastern Malaysia on the island of Borneo. It is located in Lubok Antu, some 250 kilometers east of Kuching. The park covers an area of 240 square kilometers of extensive tropical rainforest with a number or rare and protected animals surrounding the 24 square kilometer artificial lake created by the Batang Ai hydroelectric reservoir. The park was proclaimed in 1991, and has become increasingly popular with locals and tourists despite the lack of facilities.
Access is possible by chartering a boat, as water is the main method of transportation in the area. The lush dipterocarp forests are home to the Orang-Utan, gibbons, and hornbills. The lake creates a beautiful environment and gives a sense of peace and tranquility. The local inhabitants are mostly Iban, and tours to nearby Iban longhouses are also a tourist diversion. This national park takes strong steps in having the local communities involved in its management. The communities have formed a cooperative called 'Kooperasi Serbaguna Ulu Batang Ai' and are helping to conserve the park.
