At 1,175sq km, the Royal Belum State Park which is part of the larger adjourning Temenggor Forest Reserve landscape is one of the largest blocks of forest in Peninsular Malaysia.

According to wildlife surveys, it is home to a large number of big mammals like the Seladang (Bos gaurus), Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) and Malayan tiger (Panthera tigris jacksoni). The area is also home to the endangered Sumatran rhinoceros (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis), with only a few left in Peninsular Malaysia.

To add to the fascinating biodiversity represented in Belum-Temengor, it is the only forest in Malaysia which is home to all 10 species of Malaysian hornbills including large flocks of the plain-pouched hornbill (Rhyticeros subruficollis).

Its incredible flora and fauna that have remained untouched for millenniums are definitely appealing enough to entice any nature-loving tourists.

The Perak State Government knows of Royal Belum’s huge tourism potential and also is well-aware of the vast multi-billion ringgit global nature-based tourism industry.

But the state government understands that tourists who come for nature also need complementing activities that are meaningful, educational, memorable and engaging.

With this in mind, the state’s leaders spearheaded by its Chief Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir along with his faithful and hardworking Tourism Executive Councillor Datuk Hamidah Osman, have embarked on various campaigns and strategies that not only aim to fulfill the Visit Perak Year 2012 campaign’s targets, the results of their efforts will have long lasting benefits.

One of their soon-to-materialise endeavors that everyone near and far should watch out for is the first ever annual Royal Belum World Drum Festival.

Fashioned a little like the Borneo Rainforest World Music Festival in Sarawak, the stage is set for the drum festival in Royal Belum from February 21 to 26.

“It’s not a carbon copy of the Borneo festival with ours more in synchrony with nature as drums and the culture of jungle natives often rhyme,” Dr Zambry told reporters at Pos Kenderong which is a remote corner of the forest reserve accessible after more than an hour’s ride by speedboat from the main tourist jetty at Banding Island.

He was speaking after a weekly state Executive Councillor meeting at Banding Island Resort which is 197 km north of Ipoh, followed with a tour to the far-flung corner of Royal Belum where he visited a few new wooden chalets meant for tourists as well as participate in a short trek up a small hill to view its flora and centuries old trees.

Dr Zambry told reporters that the culmination of the festival at Royal Belum is scheduled on February 26 while participants from 10 countries will conduct workshops and performances at several places in Perak from February 21.

Dr Zambry has also asked the relevant authorities of Royal Belum and Gerik district to enhance facilities that would enable tourists to visit complementing attractions surrounding the forest reserve area.

Another move the state government has successfully undertaken is reducing the waiting time for visitors’ entry permits to Royal Belum from seven days to 24 hours starting from the first day of this year.

Dr Zambry is also initiating an effort to extend the runway and improve facilities of the Gerik military airstrip to facilitate both military and commercial aircrafts.

“The plan is to extend the runway from a current 450m to 800m which would cater for small commercial aircrafts such as the DCH 7,” he said.

Dr Zambry has also discussed with Berjaya Air to extend its services to Gerik once the airstrip is upgraded.

This move will allow international tourists from any parts of Malaysia, especially from Pangkor Island, and Subang Airport in Kuala Lumpur, to easily get to Gerik which is the gateway to Royal Belum.

It will also allow them to plan a complete nature and relaxation trip in Perak by visiting both Pangkor Island, and Royal Belum in a single holiday.