The almost destroyed lowland forest near Kuala Lumpur
Date: September 16, 2007
I was shocked to see the scenery in front of me when I revisited the tropical
forest not far from my friend's house near Kuala Lumpur. In December 2006, I
came here to photograph the flora & fauna of this patch of forest, it was still
an ever-green forest.....but now it's gone.
Some people who were concerned about this matter have discussed with the
contractor & developer for not destroying the whole patch of forest for the new
cemetery. They came to an agreement and the contractor who comes to clear the
forest will not move beyond the swamp.....which is the habitat of a rare species
of aquatic plant called Cryptocorne minima.
The muddy road. It was covered by dense forest in December 2006, but now it
become this:
The dying forest.....
The lower part of the stream was blocked, so the water level in the swamp has
increased a few feet high. All the leaves of Crypt. minima in the water
were melt. However, this aquatic aroid is not dying. The leaf of Cryptocoryne
will melt when there is a changes in the environment. The leaf will re-grow
back once the water level is dropped. The contractor has promised to build a
culvert to let the excess water flow out from the swamp to the nearby drain.
The jungle stream became a swamp (flooded forest). The terrestrial orchids,
gingers & others plant growing near the stream are dead.
The fallen tree & the Vanilla orchid.
Vanilla orchid, Vanilla sp.
Some plants grow in the dark jungle can not adapt to the new environment &
die. This Phyllgathis cf rotundifolia
is not doing well under direct sunlight (no forest cover) & the leaves are being
burnt by scorching sun:
Phyllgathis cf rotundifolia in
the undisturbed area (under the shade of the forest):
The undisturbed area near the swamp:
I hope those people will not come to destroy this ever-green forest & turned
it into concrete jungle:
A species of palm, Pinanga sp. :
Either Clerondendron sp., or a Rubiaceae shrub:
Henckelia platypus
Close-up of the flower of Henckelia platypus.
A species of aroid, Scindapsus pictus:
Black lily, Tacca integrifolia:
The flower of black lily (not yet fully opened):
The creeper:
Piper sp:
