The Bukit Nanas Forest was formerly known in 1906 as Bucket Weld Forest Reserve. It was also gazetted as a Wildlife Reserve and Bird Sanctuary in 1934 and in 1950, a pristine section of about five hectares was gazetted as a Virgin Jungle Reserve for forestry research and scientific studies.
This forest reserve acts as the green lung for Kuala Lumpur! It helps to cleanse the air of its surrounding environment by acting as a purifier for dust and toxic pollutants. This unique inner city slice of tropical rainforest lives on at the base of one of Kuala Lumpur most prominent landmarks, the 421 metre high Kuala Lumpur Tower.
The Oldest Gazetted Forest
The Bukit Nanas Forest which is the only oldest gazetted forest reserve in the country is also classified as a Lowland Dipterocarp Forest, where you can find some dominant tree species including Meranti pa'ang (Shorea bracteolata), Keruing bulu (Dipterocarpus baudii), Kapur (Dryobalanops aromatica), Mersawa (Anisoptera spp.), Jelutong (Dyera costulata), Kedondong (Canarium spp., Dacryyodes spp., and Santiria spp.), Rattan (Calamus manan) and other indigenous plants.
|
Bukit = Hill
Hutan = Forest
Simpan = Reserve
|
If you like exploring, there are two jungle tracks that can bring you through this forest reserve. You can use the Merbau Trail which is 361m long or the Jelutong Trail which is 300m long. You can also use a cement track (from Jalan Ampang to Jalan Raja Chulan) for an easy walk or jogging. If you want to stretch your arms or legs, an open gymnasium is also available.
It's really worth wondering into the nature of the forest reserve! You can see many species of animal such as insects (a lot of them!), long tailed macaques, silvered leaf monkeys, exotic birds, squirrels and butterflies. There are also many species of plants such as ferns, palmaes, climbers, rare herbs and giant bamboo grasses.
Playground for children is provided for those who bring along their families. Basic facilities that you
can find are the Forest Information Centre, nature walking trails, bird watching area, playground, exercise stations, picnic benches and access to KL Tower.
|
A good starting point to explore the Bukit Nanas Forest Reserve is from the educational Forest Information
Centre on Jalan Raja Chulan. From here, you can climb up a well maintained paved pathway that leads into the
central area of the forest. Here, you can see an access gate into the grounds of the Menara Kuala Lumpur.
This pathway strolls on past an open exercise area and children's playground to finish at
the Malaysian Timber Product Gallery on Jalan Ampang, at the other end of the forest reserve.
|
Getting to Bukit Nanas Forest Reserve
The forest reserve is located right in the heart of Kuala Lumpur city. Jalan Ampang, Jalan Gereja and Jalan Raja Chulan roads allow access to the Bukit Nanas Forest Reserve.
The easiest way to get to the Bukit Nanas Forest Reserve is via the KL Monorail and PUTRA LRT. The nearest PUTRA LRT station to Kuala Lumpur Tower is the Dang Wangi station. You could also take the KL Monorail and disembark at the Bukit Nenas station.
Opening Hours: Open daily between 8.00 am and 5.00 pm (Free public access)
Blink
Del.icio.us
Digg
Furl
Google
Simpy
Spurl
Technorati
Y! MyWeb
