Gunung Senyum Recreational Forest
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Gunung Senyum Recreational Forest (Hutan Lipur) is situated in Pahang Darul Makmur.
Covering an area of about 794 hectares of forest in Jengka (in the district of Maran), it was opened on the 14th of July 1989 as a recreational park for the public.
This recreational forest is named after the main hill Gunung Senyum, which is just a few minutes walk from the car-park.
Further away, needing about 45 minutes of trekking in the jungle, is Gunung Jebak Puyuh. Both hills are limestone hills.
The site is managed by the Temerloh District Forestry Department ( Jabatan Perhutanan Negeri Pahang) and there is an office and living quarters of the forest rangers manning the site there.
We can find in the complex some nice chalets, dormitory / hostel accommodation and a campsite for tents. Other facilities include a hall, toilet and washing facilities and a surau (mussolah) for Muslims to pray.
It is a pleasant place for weekend family retreats, company family days and motivational and social events.
Needless to say, it is a great destination for adventure lovers, especially for those who wish to have an educational tour of nature in a tropical forest.
Activities that can be taken there include abseiling, hill climbing, jungle trekking, and nature and wildlife appreciation.
Find hotels, and best hotel deals in Pahang here
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SIDENOTE
How Did Gunung Senyum Get Its Name?
"Gunung" in the Malay language is "Hill or Mountain", and "Senyum" is "Smile or Smiling".
So Gunung Senyum is the Smiling Hill or Mountain!
Well, locals say that the name originated (a long time ago) when the Sultan of Pahang visited the place.
When he reached the foot of the hill he inquired of his palace officials who were accompanying him, the name of the hill. But he only got a sheepish smile from them as nobody knew its name.
Not sure whether the Sultan named the hill then, but from that time onwards the limestone hill was referred to as "Gunung Senyum".
END OF SIDENOTE
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Gunung Senyum
Gunung Senyum is 486 meters (1600 feet) high. We can climb up the hill to the top where there is a bay-route indicating the height level and serves as a geological survey beacon and reference mark for topographical bearing and co-ordinates for Pahang.
The main attraction here is of course the caverns and caves. So make sure to bring along a good torch or head-light, and wear suitable shoes and pants for the exploration.
There are about 18 caves inside Gunung Senyum, while there are about 7 caves within Jebak Puyuh.
The caves are easily accessible, mostly interconnected with one another and hence they are quite easy to explore, although a guide is highly advised as novices can easily get lost in the dark caverns and caves.
In fact, there were a few occasions when people got lost in the maze of caves and forests, so always get a guide (ask from the forest rangers office there) when you go trekking or exploring the caves.
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Interesting Caves and Caverns
The usual entrance at Gunung Senyum is via Gua Angin (Windy Cave), and when we get there then we know why it's called such. And you can glimpse a "full moon" when you explore the Gua Terang Bulan ("Lighted Moon Cave"). Ask your guide how you can see this.
One of the caves that we (me and family) found amazing is the the Gua Taman (Garden Cave). We can see various coral formations that are shaped like sea-creatures.
But what was really amazing to us is the area's comparatively sheer cleanliness, like a garden. The place was unusually well-kept, with the minimum of fallen, mellowed leaves as are commonly found under jungle canopies.
Well, we were told by the ranger guide that the place is not kept clean by the forest rangers staying there, but by the "invisible inhabitants" of the caves, and it has been like that for ages. Traditional Malays believe in the orang bunyian or people living in the third or invisible dimension. He..he.. Got you feeling the creeps?
Some of the caves there are not opened to the public or encouraged for public entry so as not to endanger the living stalagmites and stalactites that are still in the active process of growing.
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Rare and Unique Flora and Fauna in Pahang
The area is of hilly dipterocarp vegetation, with many species of trees and herbal plants that are also of traditional medicinal value to the Malays.
And it contains some rare and unique species of flora and fauna that are found only in limestone caves.
For instance, as mentioned in this Malaysian Karst Society website, of the 48 known land snail species found in both hills, 11 are Malaysian endemics and of that 6 are site endemics that is, only found on these two hills.
A prominent foreign botanist with the Forest Institute of Malaysia (FRIM) reported that the plant "Senyumia minutiflora (Gesneriaceae)" is endemic to Gunung Senyum and Gunung Jebak Puyuh and is found nowhere else in the world.
Which means we should preserve these two important sites for posterity.
We can also find about many species of malaysian birds in the area. I spotted a beautiful raffles malkoha nesting near the chalets, a lesser racket-tailed drongo, and a pair of oriental-pied hornbills.
Even without binoculars, we can see mammals, like langurs, squirrels and bats, and of course the many species of small and tiny insects, spiders, frogs, butterflies and dragonflies.
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How To Get There
It is located about 40km from Temerloh, and 20km from Bandar Pusat Jengka.
From Kuala Lumpur, we can reach the place by way of Temerloh or Jerantut and via Kuala Kerau where a new bridge has been completed (when previously we needed to cross the river by boat).
If you come from Kuantan, taking the Chenor toll exit will be faster than taking via the Temerloh toll exit. Follow the signboards to Jerantut or Bandar Pusat Jengka from thereon.
Do make a look-out for the many turn-off signboards to Gunung Senyum from the main roads mentioned.
For bookings of chalets, dorms, campsite, etc, contact the Temerloh Forestry Department (see right column).
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Get Real Experience of a Tropical Rain Forest
So if you want to experience a tropical jungle, don't forget to visit this Gunung Senyum Recreational Forest.
Take a visit to Gua Taman and observe yourself its unusual cleanliness, and the coral formations of sea creatures.
However do remember, when we are there in the forests and caves, that we mind our behavior and language, and don't dirty the environment. Because we can never know what will happen if we anger those "invisible inhabitants" of Gunung Senyum!
Most of all, it is all about conserving and preserving our rare heritage and natural environment for posterity, especially these two unique limestones hills in Pahang.
Once gone, they will be lost forever.
Enjoy
Tuesday 12 July 2011
KUALA GANDAH
"Selamat Datang" to Kuala Gandah!
Kuala Gandah Elephant Conservation Centre, or popularly
referred to as the Elephant Orphanage Sanctuary, is located
within the bio diversified-rich and protected Krau Game Reserve
& was set up in 1989 under the DWNP
,
manned by the Elephant Capture & Translocation Unit
The Teris River acts as a natural border between the reserve
and the Che' wong Orang Asli village
- the last tribe of its kind found in Malaysia.
The name Kuala Gandah is, itself, taken from the small stream running
near the electric compound enclosure which houses the elephants during
the day from 830am to 2pm before they are transferred to
the roofed holding area.
Prior to this arrangement, the ECTU was a mobile operating team
since its establishment in 1974 with a temporary base at the
Jengka Pusat plantation where a huge area of jungle was carved to
make way for the planting of oil palm and rubber trees and given
to poor families to work on as a means of eradicating poverty
amongst the rural folk and to rid of subversive hideouts during
the communist insurgency days in the 1970s.
The clearing of the jungles created consistent confrontations
between the wild elephants and the settlers.
The unit remained there untill 1981 before it moved to
Kuala Lompat on the north eastern side of Krau Game Reserve.
However, it must be noted that cutting down of the forests
here are done for the overall benefit of the people of Malaysia within
the poverty line and compared to any other countries in the world
- Malaysia has THE BEST record in forest preservation
AND reforestation.
Find out the world's 10 BIGGEST CULPRITS that
keep on warming up the fragile world and yet blames Malaysia for
supposedly cutting down all the forests.
Go to http://unfccc.int/2860.php
ECTU's dedicated and never ending function is to the
continued protection and translocation of wild elephants,
from areas where there is conflict between wild elephants and
humans, into bigger and safer jungle reserves land while
educating locals on the correct steps to protect their farms
whilst supporting wildlife conservation.
This unit is one of its kind in the world
where the possibilities of being charged or trampled
by enraged wild elephants happens for 2/3 weeks every month!
It is a thankless job where only a very tiny percentage of
the general public is aware of the existence, dedication
and sacrifices these magnificent men make every month in order
to provide a win-win situation for both the wild elephants
and the human planters!
Currently, there are 32 full time and 6 contracted staff working,
living in and near the centre complete with housing facilities.
Water is supplied and piped in from the upper reaches of the cool,
clear and clean Sungai Batu waterfalls which lies within
the gazetted " Protected Areas " of the Krau Game Reserve while
electricity supply is on a 24 hour basis.
Although the sanctuary was set up in late 1989, it was only in 1997
that the general Malaysian public and the world knew of its existence,
thanks to the far sightness of a very good friend of the sanctuary,
who is often referred to as The Elephant Man!
Not only did he suggested, created activities and led
surprised visitors to this sanctuary, but unselfishly invited
the media, tourist guides and travel agencies to see what
the sanctuary has to offer as he realised that
the sanctuary IS for everyone!
The rest, as they say....is history.
If you do meet him here during one of his volunteering visits
- feel free to ask anything there is about the sanctuary and
elephants over a cup of tea and he will make your day a
very unforgetable one for you!
Be warned though - he will try his best to
convince you to pass the good word around
and get material donations for the ETCU!
For that, a BIG thank you, Mr Elephant Man!
Even tour guides and travel agencies have benefitted tremendously from the unselfish efforts of the
sanctuary's No 1 EleFriend! The sanctuary certaintly needs more sincere help from interested
individuals and organisations!
Objectives of the Centre
- Overall
For the continuos conservation of the elephants and its habitats through sustainable management in tandem
with the aspirations of the country.
- Immediate
1) Ensuring of the protection and management of the elephants and its habitants
2) Enhancing the public's knowledge,awareness and support on the importance of elephant conservation.
3) Managing the Centre as a centre for Research and Education as well as an economic & eco-tourism
activities site.
The Centre has also played guests to interns/volunteers with veterinary, zoologial and eco-tourism
and/or business/marketing OR hands-on living skills backgrounds from Czech Republic, the UK,
the US, New Zealand, Slovenia, France, Switzerland, Netherlands, Germany and Canada, not only
to offer their skills and knowledge for the conservation of elephants but, in exchange, to learn more about
the local culture, conservation efforts and the host country.
However, all volunteering & internship opportunities have since been stopped for an indefinite period as
a result of various problems caused by an insensitive, ignorant & " ugly " North American towards not only
the culture and the community @ the sanctuary but also towards several visitors.
Kuala Gandah Elephant Conservation Centre, or popularly
referred to as the Elephant Orphanage Sanctuary, is located
within the bio diversified-rich and protected Krau Game Reserve
& was set up in 1989 under the DWNP
manned by the Elephant Capture & Translocation Unit
The Teris River acts as a natural border between the reserve
and the Che' wong Orang Asli village
- the last tribe of its kind found in Malaysia.
The name Kuala Gandah is, itself, taken from the small stream running
near the electric compound enclosure which houses the elephants during
the day from 830am to 2pm before they are transferred to
the roofed holding area.
Prior to this arrangement, the ECTU was a mobile operating team
since its establishment in 1974 with a temporary base at the
Jengka Pusat plantation where a huge area of jungle was carved to
make way for the planting of oil palm and rubber trees and given
to poor families to work on as a means of eradicating poverty
amongst the rural folk and to rid of subversive hideouts during
the communist insurgency days in the 1970s.
The clearing of the jungles created consistent confrontations
between the wild elephants and the settlers.
The unit remained there untill 1981 before it moved to
Kuala Lompat on the north eastern side of Krau Game Reserve.
However, it must be noted that cutting down of the forests
here are done for the overall benefit of the people of Malaysia within
the poverty line and compared to any other countries in the world
- Malaysia has THE BEST record in forest preservation
AND reforestation.
Find out the world's 10 BIGGEST CULPRITS that
keep on warming up the fragile world and yet blames Malaysia for
supposedly cutting down all the forests.
Go to http://unfccc.int/2860.php
ECTU's dedicated and never ending function is to the
continued protection and translocation of wild elephants,
from areas where there is conflict between wild elephants and
humans, into bigger and safer jungle reserves land while
educating locals on the correct steps to protect their farms
whilst supporting wildlife conservation.
This unit is one of its kind in the world
where the possibilities of being charged or trampled
by enraged wild elephants happens for 2/3 weeks every month!
It is a thankless job where only a very tiny percentage of
the general public is aware of the existence, dedication
and sacrifices these magnificent men make every month in order
to provide a win-win situation for both the wild elephants
and the human planters!
Currently, there are 32 full time and 6 contracted staff working,
living in and near the centre complete with housing facilities.
Water is supplied and piped in from the upper reaches of the cool,
clear and clean Sungai Batu waterfalls which lies within
the gazetted " Protected Areas " of the Krau Game Reserve while
electricity supply is on a 24 hour basis.
Although the sanctuary was set up in late 1989, it was only in 1997
that the general Malaysian public and the world knew of its existence,
thanks to the far sightness of a very good friend of the sanctuary,
who is often referred to as The Elephant Man!
Not only did he suggested, created activities and led
surprised visitors to this sanctuary, but unselfishly invited
the media, tourist guides and travel agencies to see what
the sanctuary has to offer as he realised that
the sanctuary IS for everyone!
The rest, as they say....is history.
If you do meet him here during one of his volunteering visits
- feel free to ask anything there is about the sanctuary and
elephants over a cup of tea and he will make your day a
very unforgetable one for you!
Be warned though - he will try his best to
convince you to pass the good word around
and get material donations for the ETCU!
For that, a BIG thank you, Mr Elephant Man!
Even tour guides and travel agencies have benefitted tremendously from the unselfish efforts of the
sanctuary's No 1 EleFriend! The sanctuary certaintly needs more sincere help from interested
individuals and organisations!
Objectives of the Centre
- Overall
For the continuos conservation of the elephants and its habitats through sustainable management in tandem
with the aspirations of the country.
- Immediate
1) Ensuring of the protection and management of the elephants and its habitants
2) Enhancing the public's knowledge,awareness and support on the importance of elephant conservation.
3) Managing the Centre as a centre for Research and Education as well as an economic & eco-tourism
activities site.
The Centre has also played guests to interns/volunteers with veterinary, zoologial and eco-tourism
and/or business/marketing OR hands-on living skills backgrounds from Czech Republic, the UK,
the US, New Zealand, Slovenia, France, Switzerland, Netherlands, Germany and Canada, not only
to offer their skills and knowledge for the conservation of elephants but, in exchange, to learn more about
the local culture, conservation efforts and the host country.
However, all volunteering & internship opportunities have since been stopped for an indefinite period as
a result of various problems caused by an insensitive, ignorant & " ugly " North American towards not only
the culture and the community @ the sanctuary but also towards several visitors.
Wednesday 6 July 2011
pengalaman pertama mendaki gunung
inilah cerita pangalaman pertamaku mendaki gunung...kira-kira 16 tahun dahulu ketika aku masih bersekolah menengah aku dan kawan-kawan ku telah pergi ke gunung yang agak terkenal di negeri Pahang yang terletak di daerah Temerloh dan berhampiran kawasan Felda Jengka...Gunung ini dinamakan Gunung Senyum...Kebetulan pada masa itu pihak Majlis Perbandaran Temerloh sedang mengadakan Pesta Gunung Senyum...Aku dan kira-kira 6 orang kawan-kawanku bermotosikal sejauh 20km dari rumah ke tapak Pesta Gunung Senyum pada mulanya hanya ingin melihat permandangan Gunung Senyum dari dekat...namun setelah sampai kami pun mula memasuki satu persatu gua di dalam gunung tersebut...lama kelamaan tanpa kami sedari kami mula mendaki sedikit demi sedikit gunung tersebut dari kaki ke pertengahan dan akhirnya kami tiba ke puncak...kenangan ini tidak mungkin dapat aku lupakan kerana kami kesana hanya memakai seluar track dan berselipar sahaja...memang agak mencabar mendaki gunung yang berbatu kapur dengan hanya berselipar tetapi dengan kesungguhan kami berjaya naik sampai ke puncak dan menikmati permandangan tumbuhan gunung serta batu kapur yang amat menarik di atas puncak gunung itu...namun,pengalaman ini agak tidak bererti kerana pada masa itu kami tidak dapat merakam kenangan itu melalui kamera...
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