After my programme for World Habitat Day and Malaysian Environment Week at IOI Mall, I decided to return to Ayer Hitam Forest Reserve to go for a hike as part of my regular exercise and further explore this forest reserve and its facilities. I believe in exercising regularly because it helps to keep my mind alert.
This Ayer Hitam Forest Reserve is being jointly-managed by Universiti Putra Malaysia and the Forestry Department of Selangor State. Prof. Madya Dr. Awang Noor Abd Ghani, the Dean of Faculty of Forestry, Universiti Putra Malaysia (first man on left) was very kind to accompany me on my hike.
Professor Awang took me to the river which also had a small waterfall. I saw that the water was crystal clear. We walked inside forest for about one and a half hours. I was also accompanied by my Special Assistant for DUN Kinrara Gary Chong (first man on left).
Professor also took me on a tour of UPM’s Medicinal Plant Garden where they grow plants from the jungle which have medicinal value such as the tongkat ali and kacip fatimah, for research and educational purposes.
We saw some of the facilities available to the public at Ayer Hitam.
They have budget accommodation available for holidaymakers.
As well as hostels which can be hired for camps.
Seminar room which can be hired for meetings and training.
At the end of my visit, Professor Awang asked me to sign their guest book which I was very happy to do. I recommend Ayer Hitam Forest Reserve as a place to visit, to exercise and to appreciate nature especially to my constituents in DUN Kinrara as this beautiful place is located right at our doorstep.
Hi ! There
How do we get there from Putra Jaya or Cyberjaya
Thanks……… Vijay stephen
…..and this beautiful site continues to be scraped off at its edges by developers and there have been others who had designs for a massive graveyard ala Nirvana. I hope that you have put all those ideas to rest. More power to you and god bless you Teresa.
I truly hope that the Government is smart enough to ensure that this green lung is kept in pristine condition into the next century at least.
Hi, I was glad that there is a place in puchong for citizen to visit, to exercise and to appreciate nature in Puchong as mentioned by MP. Yet we pay a visit today (just 2 weeks after this post), we were blocked by UPM staff and they claim that the area is a forest reserve, whoever entered will be fined RM10k or jail not more than 3 years. Is there a proper way that we as a citizen can enter the forest? We was told that we cannot even get a permit to enter. Sad to hear that. Hope to hear from you soon. Thanks.
Hi MP,
I agree with KT, as a group of hiking folks from Puchong, are prohibitted entering the forest, just for the purpose of exercise every morning and evening, with their family, from Tmn Wawasan entry.
I really do not understand the purpose of this rules. Instead of stopping them, I suggest to loose the guideless to folks who would like to hike and taking care of the forest as volunteer.
Thanks
Hi Teresa, glad that you are aware about the AHRF. However, maybe you can try out the normal trail trek by daily trekkers and you can know how important this track to a lot of people who’s around 40-70 years old (aunties and uncle). Most of these people rely on the trek for exercising in the early morning, at the same time, their heart will be pumping (cardinal activities) especially when you are about to reach the summit.
Recently with the ban of entering the forest, it had create some fears for this people. We hope a better solution can be worked out so that most of this auntie uncle can resume their daily activities. Even my uncle and my mom benefited from this trek and they can’t miss going there.
Maybe you can take a weekend and trek with the rakyat and hear from them, you know how important this place to them. (not the trek u are using in the photos, it’s from the other side).
Looking forward for your support to keep this trail open.
teresa
gary chong
as far as we know this enterence is not for public
we do write in but no reply
only our asli friends is here with pass
the small waterfall we reach there by ‘puchongtrails’ not the 4wd
this forest is a restricted area, dear mp help us to apply a permit to enjoy trekking here
from 08-11-2009 we are not allow to reach here, so disappointed.
forest is creation of god, is for public,not for use of a handful person, thank you sister teresa.
Hi, Ms Teresa,
I seriously appreciate the effort taken to promote hiking at AHFR, mother nature will bless you for the care, but as mentioned by KT, we a big group of trekkers who regurlary hike every Sunday are now banned from entering the forest, strating 1st Nov 2009.
Im unsure why, please teresa help us sought out this issue! Thanks.