The Perak government has slashed to 24 hours the period for tourists to obtain the permit to enter the Royal Belum State Park in the effort to popularise the rainforest haven for flora and fauna. The reason for this time lead is purely bureaucratic.
The issuance of permits are usually done to ensure holding capacity of the park is met and therefore the authorities would know instantly how many people are already in the park.
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir said the new rule came into effect immediately. Previously, foreign tourists had their applications approved in seven days and local tourists, three days, he told reporters after a tour of Pos Kenarong in the park recently as part of a two-day working visit to Hulu Perak district ending today. The Perak State Executive Council also held its meeting in Pulau Banding here, the first of its meetings this year to be held outside Ipoh.
Zambry said the Northern Corridor Implementation Authority (NCIA) is implementing the Royal Belum Integrated Development Plan to make the park world-renowned. "We hope that this massive plan will elevate Royal Belum into a major destination for international tourists," he said.
He advised NCIA to strive to diversify the attractions in the park by cultivating herbs or wild orchids on the islands and open a wildlife breeding centre. "Visitors would want to see things unique to this place and unavailable elsewhere. Besides, they will be able to spend the whole day, from morning to evening, at the park," he said.
Zambry also said that the state government would organise the International Drum Festival at the park from Feb 21 to 26. "The event will pool drummers from 10 countries. On Feb 21, they will stage a series of performances throughout Perak, and the highlight will be held at Royal Belum," he said. The mentri besar said a suitable site for the festival is being identified at the park to facilitate visitors to enjoy the event.
The site picked hopefully will draw the animals closer to the park.
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