In Kelabit and Lun Bawang dialects "Pulong Tau" means "Our Forest" and expresses both the pride the local people have in their forest and the sense that it is the collective heritage of all Sarawakians and Malaysians. The concept of Pulong Tau National Park evolved from a community initiative in the late 1970s. In July 1984 the National Parks & Wildlife Office submitted a detailed proposal, together with a petition letter from the community, to the Government of Sarawak (National Parks & Wildlife Office Sarawak, 1984).

The area of park initially proposed was 164,500 ha. This included most of the Tamu Abu mountain range, the spectacular twin peaks of Batu Lawi (height 2043 m), and Gunung Murud, Sarawak’s highest mountain (2650 m). Lying close to the Indonesian border in northern Sarawak it encompassed the headwaters of the Limbang, Baram, Kelalan and Tutoh rivers, in fact the entire upper water catchment for northern Sarawak. Thus, as well as conserving biodiversity, the proposed park would have the benefits associated with watershed protection. Most of the area lies at over 1000 m above sea level and although no detailed survey had been undertaken at the time of the initial proposal, it was expected to harbour a flora and fauna representative of the montane areas of northern Borneo.

Between 1984 and 1987 the proposal was screened by the State Cabinet which led to approval in principle, pending on the redrawing of some of the boundaries to avoid conflicts with other land uses.

In 1986 the National Parks & Wildlife Office conducted a preliminary survey of the proposed park and a small breeding population of Sumatran Rhinoceros was discovered. The animal was considered extinct in Sarawak prior to this find. The survey also noted the role of the upland Oak-Laurel forests for maintaining the populations of Bearded Pig, which are of tremendous value to the local people (Caldecott 1986), and also make spectacular sporadic migrations down to the dipterocarp forest in search of fruit (Caldecott 1984). In the south of the proposed park, Orang Utans are known to enter occasionally, and there are also some unusual upland grasslands of great value for their unique flora (National Parks & Wildlife Office Sarawak, 1984). The famed Rafflesia flower can be found around the base of Gunung Murud and the 1986 survey also noted the wild and undisturbed state of the forests, especially around Batu Lawi, and between there and Gunung Murud. A second proposal, submitted in 1987, therefore argued strongly for the inclusion of these areas within the boundaries of the park (reduced to 159,000 ha) and that the park be gazetted as soon as possible (National Parks & Wildlife Office Sarawak 1987).

Further changes to the boundaries were recommended and on 25^th June 1998 the initial proclamation to constitute the proposed Pulong Tau National Park was passed (Notification No. 2174, 1998). The area gazetted comprised 63,700 ha and does not include Batu Lawi and the surrounding forest. It does not include the forest in which Sumatran Rhinoceros was found in 1986. Furthermore, the summit of Gunung Murud, essentially the only piece of true montane habitat remaining in the gazetted area, is connected to the rest of the park to the south by only a thin strip of forest. This may have negative impacts on dispersal and population dynamics of plant and animal species present.

Failure to include Batu Lawi and the surrounding forest connecting it to Gunung Murud and the rest of the Tamu Abu range, has the potential to seriously compromise the value of the park, in terms of both conservation and attraction of revenue from tourism. The park may no longer be able to serve as a refuge for Sumatran Rhinoceros and other large mammals. The aesthetic beauty of Batu Lawi and Gunung Murud would likely be lost and with it the primary tourism attractions of the area.

As a wide area of remote, rugged and pristine forest, large enough to protect populations of rare animals such as Clouded Leopard, Bulwer’s Pheasant, Bornean Gibbon and Sumatran Rhinoceros; with superb fishing, including Sarawak’s state fish Ikan Semah; with the spectacular peaks of Batu Lawi and Gunung Murud and superb jungle trekking, Pulong Tau has the potential to become one of South East Asia’s elite national parks (National Parks & Wildlife Office Sarawak 1987). It could easily rival other already famous parks in Borneo such as Mulu or Mount Kinabalu National Parks, especially if it remains one of the few places in the world where Sumatran Rhinoceros still roam. This can only be achieved, however, if the park encompasses sufficient area and includes such special sites as the remote forests around Batu Lawi. A reconsideration of the boundaries of the park, more in line with the 1984 or 1987 proposals, is recommended. These could be constituted as an extension to the present proposal.
 

Kuhl's Creek Frog	Orchid,  Coelogyne radiofrens	Pitcher Plant, Nepenthes veitchii

1. Protection of a large area of valuable montane habitat. The original area proposed was sufficient to secure the conservation of the species and genetic diversity of a large part of the mountain flora and fauna of northern Borneo.
2. Protection of rare and seriously endangered wildlife.These include: Bulwer’s Pheasant, which is found in only a few localities in northern Borneo; Sumatran Rhinoceros, previously thought to be extinct in Sarawak; Clouded Leopard, rare over so much of Sarawak, but reputedly common towards the south of Tamu Abu. Large or rare species require large areas of protected habitat because smaller areas may not sustain sufficient numbers of individuals to maintain long term genetically viable populations.
3. Protection of rare species of plants. Although a detailed floral inventory of Pulong Tau is not yet available, it is already known that the area contains a pitcher plant, Nepenthes murudensis, which is not found anywhere else in the world. Many more plants are restricted to Pulong Tau and a few other montane regions in northern Borneo. The open swampy grassland of Ba’Sakun to the south of the area is unique and of great botanical interest.
4. Protection of the mass migrations routes of Bearded Pigs. The pigs feed in the oak and lithocarpus forests and move down to the dipterocarp forests during the occasional fruiting years.
5. Protection of the cultural symbols of the Kelabit people. These include stone carvings, and the mountains of Batu Lawi and Gunung Murud have a strong traditional and cultural significance.
6. Protection and preservation of the mountain peaks. The spectacular beauty of Batu Lawi and the fact that Gunung Murud is Sarawak’s highest mountain warrant the protection of these peaks and the surrounding forests.
7. Protection of the watershed of all the major rivers in northern Sarawak. Locally this would protect the vitally important Bario rice paddies in Ba’Kelalan, Bario, Long Lellang and Pa Tik, which produce premium quality rice. Over the wider region it would safeguard drinking water and provide flood protection over a large part of Sarawak.
8. The considerable potential for eco-tourism. With the possibility of fishing, river trips, jungle trekking through a pristine forest with beautiful plants, hill climbing on spectacular peaks, viewing of rare wildlife and visits to culturally significant sites, Pulong Tau has much to offer the tourist. However, the main attractions of Pulong Tau are centred on Batu Lawi and Gunung Murud; unless the surrounding forests and the wildlife within them are protected, few people will be interested in visiting the park.
9. Input to the local economy. Eco-tourism requires infrastructure and there exists great potential for the local economy to gain from the existence of the national park. Revenue can be generated through the provision of lodgings, guiding and souvenirs.

Established in 1940, MNS is the oldest scientific and non-governmental organisation in Malaysia and is dedicated to promoting nature conservation and appreciation in the country. Its mission is to motivate the appreciation and care for the Malaysian natural heritage; to get people involved in nature and healthy outdoor pursuits through various activities; to promote realisation of the need to sustain and conserve the natural world for future generations. There are 13 member branches throughout Malaysia, served by a central HQ in Kuala Lumpur. Altogether there are about 4,000 members, both Malaysian and non-Malaysian, who share the Society's vision and passion (Malaysian Nature Society 1998).

The MNS Miri Branch was established in 1995 with the aim of sowing the seeds of appreciation and care for Sarawak's natural heritage. We hope that this may grow into the realisation that there is a need for sustainable management and conservation of nature and natural resources in Sarawak for future generations. The Miri branch has about 70 members, of which approximately two thirds are Malaysian, the remainder being foreign workers living in Miri.

The branch organises regular lectures and slide talks, outings to local places of interest and, occasionally, longer trips to destinations including Pulau Tiga, Loagan Bunut and Similajau National Parks. The branch also runs several projects which, to date, have involved: recycling of rubbish; community beach clean-ups; awareness of ways to reduce open burning and a nature course for teachers. The Pulong Tau Expedition is the first conservation project of this type which the Branch has organised.

The Malaysian Nature Society, Miri Branch together with members of the local community, conducted a nine day expedition to the northern part of the proposed park, with a view to raising awareness of the area as one of outstanding natural beauty and biological and economic value.

The origins of the expedition go back to a regional get-together of the MNS held at Lambir Hills National Park in October 1997. At this meeting, an invited speaker from the Kelabit community expressed concern over Pulong Tau. Given the importance of Pulong Tau to the conservation of Sarawak's biodiversity, MNS Miri branch decided to follow up on the issue. An expedition proved an ideal way of combining several objectives: to visit the area ourselves so we could have personal experience of the forest; to conduct some basic observations to contribute towards the scanty scientific knowledge of the area; and the primary objective of raising awareness of the issue of Pulong Tau through our photographs and experiences. Hence, preparations were made and permission was obtained from the National Parks & Wildlife Office, Forest Research Centre and the Resident of Miri (Permit no. RMD/45/98).

Starting on the 28 August 1998, the expedition followed the regular trekking route to Batu Lawi, climbing the lower peak on National Day. The team then set out through the remote forest around Batu Lawi to find a new approach to Gunung Murud and made the first ascent of the mountain from the south side. From there the group made its way across to the Church Camp and down to Ba’Kelalan which was reached on the evening of 5th September, nine days after setting off.

Along the way, surveys of the geology, vegetation, vertebrates and invertebrates were conducted. Despite the brief time in the area and the already demanding trekking schedule, an impressive array of interesting observations was amassed, revealing both the remarkable diversity of the forests and visibility of the wildlife, and further underlining the importance of this montane habitat. Of an impressive 67 bird and 28 mammal species recorded, one fifth of the birds and almost half the mammals were Bornean endemics, found nowhere else on the planet. Several, such as Helmeted Hornbill, Mountain Imperial Pigeon, Bornean Gibbon, Hose’s Langur, Maroon Langur and Giant Squirrel are totally protected species in Sarawak.

However, it was, perhaps, the fantastic beauty of the forests that left the deepest impression on the expedition members. In walking through this area, one passes from upper mixed Dipterocarp forest through tall oak and lithocarpus forest, to enchanting Mossy forests on the lower ridges. Climbing higher, one encounters stunted Rhododendrons of the Elfin forest on the mountain slopes, literally smothered in soaking wet moss, and the interesting heath flora of the mountain summits. Every corner appears to hold a secret. Orchids abound. There is a profusion of pitcher plants, and the abundant tracks and sounds of wildlife add to the anticipation of what might be around the next corner. Then, when the summit of Gunung Murud is finally won there is the breathtaking view towards Batu Lawi. It is without doubt one of Malaysia’s finest landscapes.