A Hike in the Forest

On the Rover Track (CNB 2013)

For our recent Sunday outing we wanted a back-to-nature experience, and so chose to go to Kepong. To the 74-year-old FRIM or Forest Research Institute of Malaysia, one of the leading institutions in tropical forestry research in the world. There are so many 'attractions' here in this 600 hectares of regenerated forest - six different arboreta (collections of living trees), a canopy walkway, an ethno-botanic garden, the Kepong Botanical Gardens, nature trails, etc.

We were interested in trying the canopy walkway on this outing, but at the One-stop centre, we found out that it was closed*.  We decided to check it out anyway, so we walked along the 900m Rover track (dirt road) and then hiked up the 500m Canopy walkway trail to the entrance hut. The day was rather cloudy and when it looked like rain, we decided to take the same way down. Our hike along the trail was quite easy for B and A, even M, but I found parts of it 'difficult and arduous'.

Figs galore (CNB 2013)

The flora along the track & trail included what I could identify as hevea brasiliensis (rubber tree), ferns, and figs. Of course I could not identify so many, many more other plants and trees.

Fallen leaves along the Rover track (CNB 2013)     

It being midday, the fauna was not really 'out and about'. But we did come across a gang of macaque monkeys as we were driving around the FRIM grounds. The alpha male in the group ensured that all in his 'entourage' crossed the road safely before he hurried off after them. Quite a responsible fella!

Some facts about the fragile-looking Canopy walkway: located at Bukit Lagong Forest Reserve, it was built in 1992 (with aid from the German Agency for Technical Cooperation to a US design and built by the Temuan**) for the purpose of the scientific study of flora and fauna. The walkway spans 150m and is built on tree tops 30m above the ground. This walkway system consists of a strip of chengal planks placed on an aluminium ladder suspended by polyethylene netting and ropes from steel cables. The walkway and platforms are vantage points to experience a panoramic view of the forest and Kuala Lumpur area from a distance. The number of people allowed to 'canopy walk' per day is limited to 250 people.

Since the canopy walkway is closed for now, we only posed with it in the background. We will try again next time, and for me it will be quite a challenge! And of course there are the other 'attractions' in FRIM that beckon.

* The canopy walkway closure has been extended to 30 September 2013 for the annual maintenance work.
** The Temuan, an Orang Asli tribe, used to live here but have since moved. At times they return to harvest the forest products.
Note: 1. Be mindful of the fact that 'FRIM is not a public recreational park, but a R&D institution that opens its campus door to the public to enjoy the man-made forests'.  2. The (Titian) Canopy Walkway is featured  in the book Landmarks of Selangor, published by Jugra Publictions, 2003.
Ref: www.frim.gov.my