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Within the greater expanse of Gunung (Mount)
Inas Forest Reserve and where Sungai (River)
Sedim cuts through, this ecotourism recreational
park has the world’s longest canopy walk
or Tree Top Walk at the time of
its completion in March 2005. It is situated
a short distance-off the laid back kampung
or village-like town of Karangan and a
mere 30 minutes drive from Kulim town
centre following the road through the Kulim
Hitech Park.
The mature virgin rainforests known as the
lowland dipterocarp kind are located on well-drained
undulating terrain at the foothills. They make
up the bulk of commercially important forests
in the country. They are also an amazing
accommodation for thousands of species of known
flora and hundreds of species of fauna.
In the cool and serene atmosphere, the
recreational park is created for visitors to
enjoy the natural beauty of the evergreens,
study plant species, listen to bird and
insect callings and rejuvenated by clean air
and refreshing sounds of gurgling waters at
the rapids in Sedim River.
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The dense forests can often consist up to 100 species
of trees, shrubs, herbs and climbers in an acre. The upper or emergent storey is
usually about 100 – 150 feet (30.5 – 45.7 m) tall, there are those above 200 feet
(61m).
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‘Bridge in the jungle’ – this canopy walkway spans 925 m in a loop through the trees
and crossing the Sedim River twice. It stands at heights ranging between 26 – 50
m above ground level and is made of galvanised steel, one of the very few of its
kind in the world.
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The energetic Sedim River cuts its way through the rocky forest floor from its source
up in the hill. In the wet equatorial climate of Malaysia especially during monsoon
seasons, the river often swells to a much fuller volume than this in the dry season.
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Rushing waters across rapids in a continuous stretch
of 15 km distance make the river a good venue for adventurous white water rafting.
The shrub level of the jungle are often thick and dense, here they are opened by
the river.
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The main or second tree layer (storey) forms the continuous
canopy except immediately below the large and emergent storey trees. Their canopies
occupy the space between 70 – 100 feet (21 – 30.5 m) and are usually young trees
of the upper storey.
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Reaching for light, an epiphyte searches its way upwards
with help from a healthy young tree.
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A mature woody climber twirls its way upwards. This part of the forests has been
cleared for the benefit of visitors.
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The forest flowers – bright orange blooms (left – middle ground) enhances the beauty
of the forests.
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Not so colourful flowers but they overwhelm with their large sprays all over the
crown of the tree.
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The flower buds of many Malaysians’ favourite beans
– the petai hang in big bunches. The beans blend well and taste great with ‘sambal’
or grounded chillies with prawn paste and other complementary spices. Never mind
about pungent smell in your mouth thereafter , they have many known health
and medicinal values.
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Flower buds or fruits? It is puzzling but there are
many signboards that informs on the characteristics of the trees - not this one,
though!
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Enticing bunches of orange-coloured fruits (like little mangoes) hang across the bridge walkway.
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The Kulim tree - its name adopted for Kulim town and
district. According to the narratives; it produces medium-hard timber, has a strong
garlic smell – detected as far as 20 m away and has fruits which have traditional
medicinal value.
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