Mu Koh Lanta Marine National Park |
Koh Lanta National Marine Park was declared a national marine park in 1990. It is the 62th marine park of Thailand and covers 130 square kilometers. Fifteen islands and islets make up the marine park and include Ko Rok, Ko Mai Ngam Tai, Ko Ta La Beng, Ko Lanta Yai, Ko Ngai, Ko Tu Kon Lima, Ko Rok Nok, Ko Rok Nai, Ko Hin Dang and nearby islands of Ko Klang district, Ko Lanta Noi district and Ko Lanta Yai sub district, Amphoe Ko Lanta, Krabi province.
The area's vegetation include dry evergreen forest, tropical rain forest, boasting more than 50 tree species and also mangrove. Geographically, the islands are mostly uninhabitable limestone cliffs. Not much infra structure development has taken place here and few forest hiking trails exist. Accommodation here is at the park site on Koh Lanta Yai and Kh Rok offering communal showers and toilets.
Most rainfall is in September measuring approximately 390 mm. The least rain is experienced in January , approximately 7 mm. Lanta Yai, the inhabitant of the Lanta islands, where Koh Lanta hotels are located, is covered by 20 square kilometers of rain forest along the Lanta mountain, forming most of the national park. Trees here grow to a height of approximately 20 meters.
Plant species include Siamica, Hopea and Ferrea Heim. Fan Palms, Calamus Erectus Roxb, Calamus caesius Bl. and Calamus Peregrinus Furt are other lower growing trees. Mai Ngam, South Mai Ngam and Ngu islands are home to mangrove forests which covers most of the islands. Mangrove trees grow to approximately 5 meters. Other plants include Avicennia alba, Rhizophora Apiculata, Rhizophora Mucronata.
Beach Forest covers the narrow area between the waterline and rain forest of Ngai island. Vegetation include Bengal Almond, and Beach Moring Glory. Thirty eight species of mammals are found on the islands and include wild deer and tigers. The endangered sea cow (Dugong) is another. The common barking deer, fishing cat and big ear crow bat have become a rare sighting. Birds on these islands include Brahminy Kite, Birdled Tern and Emerald Dove. The Orange-Breasted Trogon, Siberian Thrush and Little Spiderhunter are a rarer find. Reptiles include Water Monitor, Reticulated Python, Cobra, and Water Monitor Lizard. Sea and Fresh Water fish species, such as Blue Danio, are found here in fresh water ponds. Lizard fish and Porcupine fish can be found in the coral reefs around the island. Staghorn Coral, Anemone coral and Starflowerare some of the coral family to be found. |
