The Magnificent Of Mangrove Swamp Of Sungai Merbok
“ The Reserved Forest of Paya Laut Merbok which is located along the river, covering the area of 4,114 hectare, is the largest forest reserve in the Peninsular Malaysia”.
Is it possible for the Sungai Merbok to repeat its glorious past as an entrepot of the 5th - 13th Century AD? The present generation who did not learn the history of Kedah may be are not aware of the fact that Kedah was once known to the Chinese and Indian sailors as Suvarna Dwipa / Suvarna Bumi or Golden Peninsular.
Lembah Bujang became the stopping centre for traders from the East and West who used the magnificent of Gunung Jerai summit as a point of direction. The glorious legacy of Lembah Bujang as a historical entrepot is mentioned in the Indian literature of Epics and it has been proven by the research done by archeologist and historian.It is supported by the discovery of the important finds such as candis, ancient mosque and other artifacts, porcelain, glass and beads. Lembah Bujang becomes the most important tourism asset of Kedah with the establishment of the archeological Museum of Bujang Valley.
YAB Menteri Besar Kedah had cruising along the Sungai Merbok,trying to experience the same journey as experienced by thousands of traders and trading ships in the 5th century and at the same time trying to figure out the new inspiration and to explore the new potential of that river.
The massiveness of Sungai Merbok has becoming the source of income for the fishermen Who breed fish in cage. However the beauty of mangroves swamps on the left and right the river simply astonishing and it attracts those who are cruising it. The proposal to develop Sungai Merbok had been welcomed by all the relevance agencies. The Reserved Forest of Paya Laut Merbok, which is located along the river, covering the area of 4,114 hectare, is the largest forest reserve in the Peninsular Malaysia and it as gazette on 29 September 1951.
The forest reserve is world- known for its richness in diversity of mangrove species and other river swamp trees besides the uniqueness of its flora and fauna. For the tourists besides they can enjoy themselves by looking at the greenery of the mangrove trees a long the river, they also can watch pairs of eagles flying through the wind. Gregory Smith, a bird watcher, noted that in 1993 there were about 80 bird species can be seen at Sungai Merbok and 15 species of mangrove-dependent birds flying freely in the area. While at the compartment 4 and 5, is inhabited by groups of fireflies. Seeing the potential of Sungai Merbok as a tourist destination the Kedah State Government has taken Steps by providing public amenities such as jetty, toilets, surau, food court, car park, wakaf, beautifying the landscape and the erecting barriers.
Under the 9th Malaysia Plan, other facilities would be added
by upgrading the jetty, boadwalk or walk path at Nature’s Park (Taman Alam Semulajadi) while the mini marina would be built at Sungai Merbok Jetty Complex. In addition, new jetty will also be built along Sungai Merbok at Sungai Batu, Kampung Teluk Air, Pengkalan Bukit Kecil, Pengkalan Batu Lintang, Jeti Sungai Langgar and Sungai Kuala Segantang Garam.
Today, Sungai Merbok has become popular destination for the local as well as foreign tourists. They are amazed by the beautiful scenery of mangrove trees. By returning the glorious of the legacy of Sungai Merbok in different genre is one of the Action Plans towards Kedah Maju 2010 (Progressive Kedah 2010). The people of Kedah should be proud of this achievement. Especially when remembering the history of Sungai Merbok whereby in the early 1820, Istana Pulau Tiga was built here by the Sultan Ahmad Tajuddin Halim Shah. Indeed Kedah’s historical legacy had become the source of envy to the Siamese government. Consequently, Siam invaded Kuala Kedah Fort (Kota Kuala Kedah) and Pulau Tiga.
Author by Amelia Hashim
