Save Bukit Gasing, also from the "concerned" users

One of the things I shall miss is the walks in Bukit Gasing, something that has been a part of my life (though not always consistent) for the last 14 years, or since I started working and living in Petaling Jaya. Most of the times I've been there on my own, but I've also had good friends as walking partners and used the walk both for trainings and to just enjoy the forest walk.

In 1998, it was to prepare for Kinabalu, in 1999 for Nepal and now its to encourage a friend, SF, who plans to do her own hikes as well. The treks have become more interesting over the years and the place is certainly much more busier today then it was even 10 years ago. That's a good sign and its so encouraging to see groups of friends and families go for their weekly walks. I think there are about 10 trails to choose from. Its so refreshing after a night rain, on a clear day, the blue sky that is the backdrop for the forest from below is fantastic. With its highest point at 160m, the forest is definitely worth protecting.

(Moss on the tree)(Sunlight into the forest)
(Walk up the hill, almost feels like a pilgrimage)

Unfortunately, there are those who think otherwise. While the PJ side of the forest has been gazetted as a protected area since the early 1960s, the KL is not. And of course, this also means that development has been approved (to build 70 bungalows on a 15.5hectare site on Bkt. Gasing as the court ruled against the application by 108 residents for a judicial review of the proposed development by Gasing Meridien Sdn Bhd). Read more at the Save Bukit Gasing blog. Its been a long struggle by the residents in PJ and nature enthusiasts to protect Bukit Gasing, which is one of the few remaining green lungs in the city.

The other problem that has arisen of late is the "action" by some people who think they are helping the conservation of the forest by building reflexology paths, planting flowers, damming the river (for absolutely the wrong reasons) and turning it into ponds with turtles! Obviously, those who are responsible for this have no awareness or understanding of biological diversity at all. Ok, so this used to be a rubber plantation many years ago, and it has not been a real forest for a long time, and yes there are irresponsible people who steal from the forest - but these do not give us a license to do whatever we want.

Apparently the council is aware of what's going on and has posted a warning to the continued "renovation" of the forest area. But I'm surprised the council has not been more aggressive in stopping the intrusion. I've heard from my friends that the group of people who think they are doing a service are very defensive against anyone who doesn't support them. If you're interested in conserving Bukit Gasing, please tell these people to stop what they are doing, and maybe the council should organise for an expert environmentalist to explain to the people why what they are doing is wrong. Here's a picture of the damned part of the river, by the bridge at the main entrance.
Sorry guys, this is not your garden at home for you to do what you want. And no surprise why there's suddenly lots of mosquitoes, when you block the flow of water and create stagnant water, of course this is the most conducive for mosquitoes!