Water Watch Penang-School of Humanities “Family Day Programme” in Penang National Park
13 December 2009
School of Humanities USM Family Day at Penang National Park 13 Dec 2009 – Around 30 people from the School of Humanities and their families and close friends took aprt in this meaningful outdoor activity. The group waited at the USM Sg Dua Gate at 7.30am and the bus took them to the Penang National Park HQ at Teluk Bahang. The group trekked into the park at around 9.00am and reached Pantai Kerachut at around 11.00am. Lots of forest activities such as identifying trees (e.g. Tongkat Ali and Meranti) and herbs (e.g. Kacip Fatimah) and the importance of forests were carried out. The group leader Mr Forest Ang was very knowledgeable about the park, having been one of the pioneers who pushed for the gazettement of the park. At Pantai Kerachut, the group was given a briefing by Jabatan Perikan officers on the turtle hatchery programme. Some of the participants went swiming. The group was also taught basic biological assessment of river water quality. It was determined that the rivers flowing in the park was between Class I and Class II, i.e. suitable for drinking purposes with minor treatment.