English (英语) |

Today, Pedu Lake is accessible by road whereas the Ulu Muda Lake, the other dam built deeper in the jungle, is still only accessible by river. This wild, expanse of rainforest jungle saddling the two catchment areas creates a corridor for wild animals to cross into the Thailand jungles. Covering more than 105,000 hectares, the area is one of the last remaining sanctuaries for animals such as elephants, tapirs, sumatran rhinoceros, sun bears, seladang, deer, gibbons, otters and numerous species of birds, reptiles, insects and monkeys. This reserve is unique in flora as it sits on the boundary of the northern and southern climatic zones.

The Ulu Muda Forest Reserve was gazetted in 1932 as a permanent forest reserve and it remains till now just as impermeable to most of us as it was then. Entry into the area requires much planning - mental alertness and physical form is important. Patience is also a bonus, as there are written permits and documentation to be sent to and approved by the Kedah State Forestry Department; Longboats and authorised guides to be arranged through the department. It all takes time. However, a recently set up trekking agency are now offering packages to the Ulu Muda area.(Please refer below)

This is an adventure to be experienced only by intrepid adventurers. When you're out there in the wilderness, you're really miles away from anyone. Just you and your guides. Arm yourself with enough food, some camping equipment and any other jungle survival kit, which you think you may need. A hammock may be a good idea to keep you dry, above the damp soil and out of reach of the many kinds of crawling, stinging insects and venomous reptiles. Also, the rainforest can be very humid and stifling and can get very wet. Clothes may not dry for days, spectacles and camera lenses fog up often. The thick primary forest canopy, several hundred feet above, cuts off most light from reaching the forest floor. Vines and roots twine across the floor, rattans whip themselves round tree trunks and criss-cross the undergrowth. If not careful, the thorns can tear flesh away, exposing wounds that are slow to heal in such damp conditions. This is only the start of it all.

For days on end there are no trails except for well-trodden treks made by elephants and rhinoceros visiting favourite salt licks or bathing pools. A number of salt licks and hot mineral springs scattered around are important sources of mineral and vitamin supplements and are frequented by a variety of wildlife. Sira Hangat, possibly the largest mineral spring in Malaysia is a great place to set camp,but if your intention is to see some action, then seat yourself in a comfortable spot high on the treetop where the foliage will hide you and where the cooler breeze will take your scent away. In order to spot wildlife in our jungles, one must be prepared to wait, avoid slapping on any scented creams or sprays that may deter mosquitoes and other pests. Be as quiet as possible. Can you do that?

The tropical rainforest jungles are considered the earth's lungs. As we make way for progress, these supreme landmasses have been reduced to mere pockets. Rainforests are found only on lands that sit on the equator ie. South America, Central Africa, Borneo, Malaysia and parts of Indonesia. . And because many of these countries are economically and technologically strapped, their main source of revenue is by living off the land and its riches. With such political instability witnessed in most of these countries, Malaysia, even more so has the potential to sustain these tracks of virgin rainforests. And you can help raise awareness to save our lands through understanding its importance, its beauty and its spirit.

Update on the place

A recent report in the Star stated that 'a project in Kedah to log several forest reserves, a large chunk of them virgin jungle, using helicopters has stalled because the Department of Environment (DOE) has rejected its environmental impact assessment (EIA) report. The project was to log 122,798hectare at the Ulu Muda, Chebar Besar, Padang Terap, Pedu, Bukit Saiong and Bukit Keramat forest reserves.

Conservation groups and padi farmers in the Muda Agricultural Scheme argued logging would threaten water supply as the forest reserves are vital catchment areas. '

This action would also take away forever the 150 - 170million year old rainforest that should not only belong to a few people, but should be gazetted for the world. Once torn down, we will need another 100million years to repair what we can destroy in a milli-fraction. Is it really worth it?

dated: 14th April 2003

Accommodation and Packages to Ulu Muda Forest Reserve

Tours range from RM280 to RM450 depending on the number of days and the type of accommodation i.e. camping and one night at Desa Pedu Resort or Gunung Jerai Resort. The requirement is a minimum of 4persons in the party. A qualified forest ranger will lead you into the depths of Ulu Muda but please be aware that the rangers may not be as environmentally conscious as you, so encourage them to be more sensitive to their surroundings if they are a little out of line.

Island N' Sun Travel & Tours

Simpang 3, Pantai Tengah, Mukim Kendawang, Langkawi

Tel/fax: +

mobile:+6 (Encik Rahim)

Malaysia Rainforests, Sanctuaries and Parks

Short Adventure & Nature Trips