Ferret
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Gunung Jasar Horror... - 2005/06/15 13:22
For a person who has spent most of his life in Cameron Highlands, looking up at Gunung Jasar can be a disheartening experience. Nature may have a way of healing scars left by mankind, but it is doubtful if Gunung Jasar will ever recover from the carelessness of the parties involved in constructing a new electrical-pylon at the peak. Signs of erosion are clearly evident and although plastic sheets and nettings have been utilised to minimise damage, it is merely a temporary solution to the inevitable. O well, it is a popular belief in contemporary society that wealth is what makes the world go round, hence dumping another million ringgit or so in order to flatten the remainder of the peak and bring it level with the dirt-road is a possibility.
Anyway, the walk up Gunung Jasar is still fairly pleasant although it would be advisable to have some insect repellent handy in order to avoid being eaten alive by mosquitoes. As was mentioned in a recent news report, Corybas ridleyanus has been completely wiped out from the peak. However, there is a surviving colony about 100 meters from the peak – between 20-30 plants.
Nephelaphyllum sp. as well as Cryptostylis sp. can still be found along Trail 10 although neither was in flower. Bulbophyllum uniflorum is in bloom (Trail 13 as well), as was Coelogyne radicosa.
The trail leading down to the Bharat Tea Plantation is still a lovely walk – however BEWARE of ground-dwelling bees… First time I’ve been stung along that trail and although I’m immune (...still hurts like crazy though ), my wife and an American traveller were not as lucky as they had to wait a day or two for the swellings to subside. Thank God it wasn’t hornets…
Anyway, we weren’t very keen on spotting wild orchids after that and finished the rest of the walk at a trot. Still, I managed to spot a Tainia speciosa in bloom; however I missed the colony of Corybas carinatus. O well, as the trail seems fairly untouched except for signs of the local natives collecting wood, I guess they’re still quite safe from poachers and collectors.
Well, so long Cameron Highlands… Time for us to finish our packing and move on in life. All the best to REACH and any other NGOs working towards the conservation of our precious highlands. Finally, my apologies to anyone whom I might have offended over the past few months of posting on this forum.
Cheers,
Ferret
PS Wish Admin or Chief would get a smilie with a pint glass...
Post edited by: Ferret, at: 2005/08/01 23:51
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