KUCHING: Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) launched its new ecotourism product, Urban Forest Night Walk, at Sama Jaya Nature Reserve here last Friday night.
The new feature allows urban dwellers to go on a nature walk at night and experience the never-seen-before sights and sounds of the wilderness at the 38-hectare park.
Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the place was initially popular with joggers and it is able to attract 20,000 joggers per month before the movement control order (MCO) was implemented, which is averagely 500-600 per day.
“Recently, SFC has completed the renovation works and facilities upgrading at Sama Jaya Nature Reserve, including an activity centre, bamboo museum, Japanese garden and jogging tracks. After this, Sama Jaya Nature Reserve is not only mainly for jogging, but also for more activities, such as night walks.
“It is a fantastic and relaxed, fully guided two-hour night walk in this urban forest. I believe this new ecotourism product will be a wonderful opportunity for visitors to see the nocturnal species that only come out at night,” he said after completing the 1km walkabout with the media on the same night.
During the walkabout, Abdul Karim also had the opportunity to release a slow loris that lost its way in Sama Jaya Nature Reserve during the event.
“He was found at a nearby housing estate and surrendered by a member of the public to SFC. Prior to the release, a final medical check-up was conducted in Matang Wildlife Centre. It has been a long journey but finally, he is home,” he said.
Apart from that, he was also fascinated by the ‘bleeding tree’ (pokok kumpang).
“When we cut the branch, the red sap flows out of it, just like blood flows,” he continued.
Booking for the Urban Forest Night Walk can be made at the Sama Jaya Nature Reserve and Visitor Information Centre (VIC). The minimal fee is RM50 for a group of five persons, and an additional RM10 is applicable for every subsequent head.
A tour guide will lead the pack and explain the richness of the Sama Jaya Nature Reserve throughout the night walk journey which will operate from 7.30pm to 10pm on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
The park also wishes to remind the public that bookings must be made at least one day earlier as they have to limit the number of participants to 10 persons per group per guide, as well as due to shortage of specialised guides available to accommodate every booking.
Abdul Karim further mentioned that at present, the number of visitors allowed to enter nature reserves and national parks have been increased from 100 (previously), to 200 people at any one time.
For those who are interested about the Urban Forest Night Walk, contact the office at 082-365194 or VIC at 082-248088.
