THE ECOSYSTEM

Secondary Forest

The Nature Park has 497 acres (201 hectares) of secondary forest
This area was formerly a mangrove forest. After the coastal bund was constructed, the mangroves trees were unable to compete with the forest species which started growing faster. With the emergence of the mangrove fern, which eventually took a strong hold of the area; it became quite impossible for the mangroves to flourish.

The secondary forest is now mainly dominated by strangling figs and other Coastal trees like the Cordia dichotama; along with the mangrove fern. Some stands of mature mangrove trees are still surviving in the secondary forest here.

Within this forest are there are 4 nature trail systems from which one can study the flora of the area. This includes fungi, ferns, palms, creepers and trees. There are also a number of forest animals, which have taken shelter here, Information of trails are as follows.

Trail Distance Return Time

To make access into the mangroves easier, we have two board walks. One stops at the middle of the mangrove forest, where one can study the flora and look out for birds and crabs. The other leads right to the mudflats into the Straits of Malacca.

Here animals living in the softmud is seen clearly during low tides. One gets a scenic view of the fineAvecennia forest and also watch the cockle and fishing boats from here.

Lake System

This is a man made lake with brackish water taken in from the mouth of the estuary of the Selangor River. The water level is controlled via sluice gates. Situated around the lake system are a number of hides from where one can observe various species of birds, especially water birds and waders.

Numerous monitor lizards and the occasional other is sighted at the lake. Along the river mouth one also get a glimpse of various kinds of crabs, mud skippers and other animals. For all this,binoculars and lots of patience and more important, silence is necessary.

Egret           550 m      30 minutes
Macaque      436 m      25 minutes
Eagle           988 m      50 minutes
Langur       1100 m      80 minutes

Mangrove Forest

Mangroves cover about 234 acres (95 hectares) and is the most important ecosystem in the Nature Park.The young mangrove forest has 13 species of margroves. Mangrove fauna like the crabs,molluscs,mudskippers,horseshoe crabs and fishes can be seen here. Other mangrove related animals like birds, monkeys and at occasions, snakes can also be sighted.

Fireflies - Kelip-kelip

Away from the Nature Park, branching off the Selangor River are a series of narrower tributaries lined with healthy stands of Beremban or Sonneratia Caseolaris. This tall mangrove species is characterised by simple symmetric leaves, and cone-like aerial roots. During the day this tree species might seem unremarkable, however as dusk falls beautiful flowers open up, each with an array of up to 100 reddish-white stamens. In these quiet, ulu backwaters survive Pteroptyx tener, the firefly species which makes S. Caseolaris their home.

At twilight, the kingfishers and bee-eaters give way to nightjars and owls, and the fireflies, or "kelip-kelip" as they are locally known, put on a dazzling light show. Thousands of these insects commence their fluorescent display, flashing on and off two or three times a second, some stationary, others circling around. In some trees a whole colony of fireflies will flash in absolute unison, hour after hour, in the manner of the lights on a Christmas tree. Male and female fireflies are both able to flash, but only the males flash in unison; the synchronised display serves to attract a mate, but how does the female choose her mate amongst the thousands of "switched-on" males !

The dense colonies of fireflies were, in olden times, used as a navigation aid in some rivers in Malaysia. As you view this wonderful sight, lulled by the gently rocking boat and the quiet putter of the engine, you fancy that thousands of years ago when the world was less polluted, many rivers supported these wondrous insects. Imagine the awe of primitive humans as they migrated down the Malay Peninsula thousands of years ago and their eyes saw these flashing lights for the first time.

Now the fireflies can be easily viewed by modern humans at Kampung Kuantan and Kampung Bukit Belimbing, both a short taxi ride from Kuala Selangor town. At both locations tourist facilities have grown in the last few years, so there are new jetties, reliable boatmen and restaurant and toilet facilities. If you think that the commercialisation of firefly viewing could in some way be a threat to their survival, think again. Consider that a huge dam is proposed for the Selangor River. Conservationists fear that the dam may affect water flow, river level and salinity downstream, spelling doom for the fireflies. Opposition to the dam is being loudly voiced, not only by environmentalists but also by those kampung folk whose livelihood depends upon the tourist dollar. Thus, it may be that the fireflies need the tourists in order to survive.

Next Christmas, instead of following the hordes of people to view the annual light-up of Singapore's Orchard Road, why not take a quiet trip up-country to view the unique, world-renowned fireflies of Kuala Selangor. It will be an experience of a lifetime.

EDUCATION PROGRAMME

The Nature park actively promotes educational programmes.The education programme is professionally designed as a Nature Camp and is tailored for school students of ages 12-18.

Special programmes are also arranged on request. The activities include fun programmes like nature treasure hunts, plant pressing, jungle tracking and poster colouring. Interesting activities like paper recycling, bird watching, repltiles, fireflies and night walks are included in the program. The more serious subjects like astonomy, mangrove habitat, ecosystems and the environment are dealt with actual field participation and walks around the Park.

This makes the Nature Camp a unique and unforgettable experience for the participants. The Package The Nature Camp package includes over night sleeping facilities in chalets, course and activity materials,brochures, post-cards, T-Shirts, certificates and prizes.

As mentioned earlier, professional and quality equipment are used where necessary. This includes astronomical telescopes, water quality testing meters, binoculars and microscopes. Each course is limited to 40 students, so as to make the nature camp more effective and to provide each participant more attention.

Cost

• The total cost for a 3 day & 2 day night Nature Camp is RM4,832.00 only, inclusive of insurance coverage, board & logging and transport to and from K.L.

• A shorter 2 day & 1 night course is RM3,520.00, while day trips cost less than RM1,500.00.

The rates are negotiable for voluntary organisation and rural schools. To simplify matters for corporate sponsors MNS can assist in the selection of schools and students if required.

The Nature Park can liase with the neceassary authorities on this aspect.


RESEARCH ACTIVITIES

The Nature park carries out a number of research activities which are of interest to the ecosystem here.

This work is done either by MNS or through joint collaborations with local Universities. Some of the major work on line are the breeding of Milky Storks for open release, monitoring the ecology of the fireflies, migratory bird ringing, heavy metals concentration in cockies etc.

Under graduate students can make use of the Nature Park for their research projects if approved by local universities. Foreign universities also can take part by writing to the MNS for permission and further details.


CHALET RENTALS

To carry out all the above activities, modest chalets are available at the Nature Park. The chalets have tap water and electricity. All chalets have mosquito nettings and fans Bedding materials are available while one has to bring their own toiletries and bath towels.

For long terms research work, the rates are negotiable while active MNS membership carries a discount.

FOOD
Food is not sold at the Nature Park for environmental reasons. However kitchen facilities are available for chalet occupants to cook their own food. The Nature Park can also assist to cater food for chalet occupant as to the required needs.

The average rates are as follows:

° Tea & 2 local cakes RM2.00
° Breakfast RM3.00
° Lunch/Dinner From RM7.00 to RM12.00

Kitchen Utensils Rental RM15.00 per group

An Entrance Fee is applicable for all visitors.The rates are as follows:

Adults RM2.00
Students (till secondary level)          RM0.50
MNS Members RM1.00

For further Details & Bookings:
Tel: + 603-32892294
Fax: + 603-32894311 (every - 9.00 a.m. till 5.00 p.m.)

Alamat/Address
Kuala Selangor Nature Park,
Jalan Klinik,
45000 Kuala Selangor,
Selangor Darul Ehsan.

Senarai Keterangan & Harga / Information & Price List
- - Type MNS Members Public Capacity (person) Unit Remark - -

A-Frame RM20.00 RM25.00 2 4 Common wash-room
Chalet Kg. RM40.00 RM45.00 3 8 Attached wash-room
Dormitory - RM100.00 10 2 Attached wash-room
Camp Site - RM50.00 40 - -

Masa Berdaftar/ Check in time          2.30 p.m.
Masa Keluar/ Check out time          12.30 p.m.

Perkakas Dapur/Kitchen Utensils
Sekumpulan/ Per group RM 15.00

Bayaran Masuk/ Entrance Fee
°  Dewasa / Adult RM 2.00
°  Murid Sekolah / School Children        RM0.50
°  Ahli MNS / MNS Members RM 1.00

Tempahan/ Booking:
Tel: 03-32892294 (setiap hari / everyday - 9.00 am. -.5.00 p.m.)
Website:    http://mns.org.my