A chance visit to a renowned green lung gives Alan Teh Leam Seng opportunity to learn more about many interesting flora and fauna which contribute towards Johor's successful long term biodiversity conservation efforts.
"TAMAN Eko Rimba Sungai Bantang is famous among nature lovers who flock here by the droves during the weekends," two researchers from a local university declare in unison upon arrival at this much treasured Johor green lung.
This renowned tourist destination located in Labis, Johor is regarded by many to be in a sweet spot where well connected roads which make accessibility a cinch are counteracted by the location's relative remoteness.
"These opposing factors help keep visitorship well below levels that will threaten the pristine surroundings," one of them adds.
Fortunate to get the opportunity to tag along on this field trip, I am amazed to learn that data related to dragonflies and damselflies populations in the wild are helping the scientific community monitor forest reserve health, especially those pertaining to river water quality.
With life cycles closely related to the abundant availability of well vegetated aquatic habitats, these odonates play key roles in the way natural resources in Johor and the rest of Malaysia as a whole are managed in a sustainable manner.
NATURE REVEALED
While keeping an eye out for these surprisingly important winged insects, which come in many delightful shapes, sizes and dazzling colours, the half day sojourn also presents the chance to take in the sights.
Starting from the spacious car park, located just beside the visitor centre, the main trail leads on to a bridge traversing Sungai Bantang before quickly branching out to several other well-marked paths complete with highly visible check points.
Best of all, this recently acknowledged Best Johor Recreational Forest is strategically located within the fringes of the world renowned Endau Rompin National Park, with common border shared at Takah Putri, Taman Eko Rimba Sungai Bantang's furthest accessible and most stunning waterfall. With this knowledge in mind, arriving visitors often relish thought of having the opportunity to explore two places at one go.
Those who are unable to spare time for this six hour trek to Endau Rompin's western most periphery can take heart that there are other equally exciting paths available with relatively shorter hiking times of between one to four hours.
Along the way, keep an eye out for interesting flora and fauna that call this lowland dipterocarp forest home.
ABUNDANT FLORA AND FAUNA
Apart from leading to several other waterfalls in the vicinity, these trails are known to yield pleasant surprises to outdoor enthusiasts in the form of occasional mousedeer, langur, tapir and even pangolin sightings.
At the same time, incessant chirps and melodious whistles high up in the forest canopy bring to mind fact that this place is home to at least ten globally-threatened birds, including the helmeted hornbill and straw-headed bulbul.
Shifting focus to the nearby river, it is easy to catch sight of cyprinids, loaches and catfishes swimming playfully in the fast flowing, crystal clear waters.
The more secluded parts with deep pools are dominated by larger predatory fish which occasionally leap into the air in pursuit of prey. It is definitely a joy to see schools of kelah, toman bunga, sebarau and even the Asian Arowana thriving abundantly in this well preserved ecosystem.
Together with the chance to admire abundantly flowering wild orchids and lush screw-pine groves, these once-in-a-lifetime chance meet ups with globally threatened animal species highlight Taman Eko Rimba Sungai Bantang's strategic location within the largest protected area in southern Peninsular Malaysia and help bring in visitors eager for something different compared to their hectic city life.
FAST FACTS
Taman Eko Rimba Sungai Bantang
Jalan Sungai Bantang,
85300 Labis, Johor Darul Takzim
TEL 07-925 1781
EMAIL [email protected]
PAY Free
DO True to the Forestry Department's motto "Your Outside Recreational Destination", Taman Eko Rimba Sungai Bantang has become a popular place for forest cross-country runs, jungle tracking, camping and picnics. The best site for cookouts is a natural sandy area by the carpark where the river splits into two before re-joining further downstream. Newly installed basic amenities like toilets and changing rooms help ensure a truly memorable experience for all. Remember to come in long pants and long sleeve t-shirts to prevent abrasions from rocks and boulders at the waterfalls.
HIGHS Since its establishment in 1989, Taman Eko Rimba Sungai Bantang has stamped its mark as a place for good, wholesome and fun-filled activities without costing an arm and a leg.
LOWS It might get a bit crowded over the weekends at the main visitor area but this can be easily solved by venturing further along the trails to find secluded spots that offer quiet space to enjoy nature at its best.
HOW TO GET THERE Exit the North-South Expressway at either the Pagoh or Yong Peng interchanges and then head towards Bekok, a small town located by the Johor-Melaka border. Starting from the Bekok Komuter Station, trace Jalan Gunung which leads on to Jalan Sungai Bantang. Travel another 6km before turning left for a further 2km to reach the recreational area.
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