Rainforest Journal

Rainforest Info, Images, and Adventures.

May 12, 2015
by JungleBoy
6 Comments

Gunung Pulai’s forest in peril

As much as we hate to admit it, we as a country, suck at protecting and preserving our forests and environment. The sad truth is, we have much less forest cover than we claim or assume; much of our “forest cover” is actually oil palm/rubber plantations. Of the current forest cover that we have, very, very little of that is virgin, unlogged forest with large trees and the highest biodiversity. Shouldn’t we be protecting what little bit that remains? Continue Reading →

October 27, 2014
by JungleBoy
4 Comments

Lower montane rainforest

In tropical regions, lower montane forest refers to the rainforest on mountain slopes that are distinctly different from the lowland rainforest that covers the plains, flatlands, and low hills. Generally, this forest formation can be considered an intermediate zone between the montane cloud forest located at much higher altitudes, generally above the persistent cloud zone, and the tall evergreen rainforest of the lowlands. Continue Reading →

September 30, 2014
by JungleBoy
6 Comments

Kuala Sepetang

Kuala Sepetang (Kuala means “estuary”, in Malay) is a small fishing village located off the Taiping, Perak state coast, and the gateway to the largest unbroken expanse of mangrove swamp forest remaining in Peninsular Malaysia – The Matang mangrove forest (40,537 ha), a truly fascinating place to observe a natural wetland ecosystem at work. Recently, I spent some time there, which included staying at one of the government built chalets. The Forestry Department has established a (well run) eco-educational centre at the Kuala Sepetang site. If you are in the vicinity of Taiping town, the Kuala Sepetang Wetlands is a must visit. Continue Reading →

September 25, 2014
by JungleBoy
5 Comments

Forest Reserves are not “Permanent” in Malaysia

It is with a heavy heart that I post this blog post, after waking up today and reading this piece of news concerning the massive destruction of the lowland forest at the Lesong Forest Reserve in south Pahang. As you can see from the video, this is actually rare forest habitat on lowland, undulating terrain, and contrary to the Pahang State Government’s excuse that “the forest is low quality forest” you can actually see that the logs being pulled out are HUGE (The best yield forests are always lowland forest below 300m altitude). This apparently contradicts their “low quality timber” statement! What is more depressing is this area is adjacent to the northern part of the beautiful Endau Rompin National Park, that I recently came back from. Continue Reading →

July 5, 2014
by JungleBoy
5 Comments

Endau Rompin Selai

Background

Endau Rompin National Park is an expanse of mainly primary tropical rainforest in the south of Peninsular Malaysia, named after two major rivers, the Endau and Rompin Rivers which derive their watershed from here, and occupying a total area of 87,000 ha. The park straddles the states of Pahang and Johor, with the Johor side being gazetted as a national park (49,000 ha), while the Pahang side (38,000 ha) is still a state park (if not mistaken) and managed separately by the Pahang state authorities. Continue Reading →