KUALA TERENGGANU, Aug 10 — The Terengganu state government will submit an application to the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) for additional rangers following the gazettement of Pulau Bidong as a state park on July 16.

Terengganu State Tourism director Datuk Tengku Mohd Ariffin Tengku A. Rahman said the move was important to strengthen monitoring and ensure regular enforcement covering the land areas, islands and waters extending up to one nautical mile.

He said Terengganu currently has 511 rangers tasked with monitoring and protecting biodiversity across the state, including against encroachment and the illegal taking of forest resources and wildlife.

“Of the total, 330 are state-appointed enforcement assistants, while the remaining 181 are community rangers under Perhilitan and funded by the federal government.

“On July 16, Pulau Bidong was gazetted as a state park. So, we need additional rangers to protect the island from encroachment activities,” he said after the Terengganu-level World Ranger Day 2026 celebration at Wisma Darul Iman here today.

The event also saw the launch of the new Kenyir Rangers logo, symbolising the team’s renewed commitment to conservation and environmental protection.

Tengku Mohd Ariffin said the Kenyir Rangers had expanded to include 16 agencies, compared with 10 when it was established in 2017, with each agency having its own jurisdiction and responsibilities in the Tasik Kenyir area.

He said regular patrols and monitoring were conducted by the relevant agencies, with details of the operations not disclosed in advance to ensure effective enforcement.

“The operations are carried out by the respective agencies and are not publicised to ensure effective enforcement against activities that violate the law. During operations, teams are divided according to the respective agencies, with each operating within its own scope of responsibility.

“For example, the State Park Management Council’s jurisdiction is limited to the gazetted 32,000-hectare area, while the Forestry Department enforces laws under the National Forestry Act 1984.  Perhilitan, on the other hand, can enforce the law anywhere as it has no specific gazetted area. Where there are animals, there is Perhilitan,” he said. — Bernama