ROYAL BELUM FR
PAGE - PENINSULA
Introduction and History
Belum forest is located in the Gerik, Perak, area (Hulu Perak).
It is believe that the forest reserve coverage is about 290,000
hectares and with more than 146,000 hectares of virgin forest.
The forest is divided into two sections: the upper Belum area,
which stretches to the Thai-Malaysian border covering 117,500
hectares of impenetrable jungle and the lower Belum mostly
covered by Temenggor Lake. The State of Perak has decided
to preserve the Belum and Temenggor forests as a permanent
nature reserve for research.
The entire forest of Belum and Temenggor was considered a
‘black area’ and was placed under a State of Emergency from 1948
until 1989. The communist party of Malaya was extremely
active in that area and according to sources; the East-West
Highway proposed by an army General believed cutting a road
through the area would hamper the communists’ movements.
However, this road was constantly under threat of being bombed
and sabotaged by renegades. Peace has since reigned over
the area after the signing of the Haadyai Accord in 1989.
Attraction and activities
It is estimated that there are at least 60 salt licks
scattered around the Belum area. The salt licks are important
for the animals’ wellbeing and there is a potential for the
operators to develop certain areas for eco-tourism. However,
these plans must be researched extensively because it has been
proven that introduction of people to the area will cause the
animals to flee from their usual waterholes and saltpans, which
has occurred in Taman Negara. The animals are sensitive to
change. Salt licks are usually covered with all types of animal
tracks. The Sambar Deer, the Kijangs, Tapirs, Elephants, wild
boars, the Sumatran Rhino, Seladang and the Malayan Gaur - come
down to the licks, usually under the cover of the darkness.
Elephant tracks can also be found crossing the salt lick
areas. One can determine the age of the elephant by the
size and pattern of the tracks as well as the dung found along
the trail. The animals also smear mud onto their bodies to
clear themselves of parasites, boar ticks and sometimes to seal
open wounds from infection and contamination. Males often
urinate and defecate around the salt lick area to mark out their
territories as they leave.
Enjoy the beautiful scenery and the fiery sunset over
Temenggor Lake and the ancient limestone hills believe to be 220
million years old. Some of the limestone islands at the
southern reaches of the lake were once majestic rock cliffs
dating back to 400 million years ago; before the Jurassic era.
These are said to be among the oldest outcrops in Malaysia.
For a visit to the Terhong Waterfall, you can depart to Post
Chiong on a 2 hours boat ride and trek 4 hours to the waterfall
via Terning, remembering to visit the Pering saltlick along
Sungai Terming and Rafflesia.
You can also visit the 1961 Kuala Cerendong helicopter crash
site and from there proceed to Sungai Cerendong to visit the
Orang Asli settlement (Temiar tribe) along Sungai Sara.
Belum forest also offers a host of adventure activities like
fishing, kayaking, jungle walking, bird watching and camping.
Continue Page 2 >>