Report: Nature Walk in Pasoh Forest
Members' Report by Tan Ai Jiunn (Selangor Branch) and Yap Miow Lin (Negeri Sembilan & Melaka Branch), edited by Yao Tze Leong (Selangor Branch Flora SIG).
Activity Date(s): 1st Nov 2025 – 2nd Nov 2025
Meeting Point and accommodation: Taman Institut Penyelidikan Perhutanan Malaysia (FRIM), Simpang Pertang https://maps.app.goo.gl/BP37n5GqTJ72J8ob9
Organiser: Malaysian Nature Society - Selangor Branch, Flora SIG
Total Participants: 19 sign-ups; 17 attended (12 females; 5 males; age: 27−70 y.o.)
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| Phanera semibifida, this plant displays silvery patterns radiate from the lamina base. |
1. Executive Summary
The inaugural guided Nature Walk in Pasoh Forest was a success, drawing a full quota of sign-ups. This two- day, one-night educational activity introduced the unique and scientific importance of Pasoh Forest Reserve – a rare lowland dipterocarp forest with a long history in tropical ecology research. The activity featured guided botanical walking through regenerated logged, and primary forests with botanist Yao T.L. (SPF Pasoh, FRIM), who has more than 15 years of experience in botany and ecology.
Originally planned as two walks, it turned out to be three! The participants' high explorer spirits led to a spontaneous addition of a special Night Walk. Participants of all ages were eager to learn, constantly verifying names of plants and being attentive throughout the journey and post-activity. It was exceptionally rewarding for all.
This activity attracted five (5) new membership sign-ups.
2. Programme Breakdown and Detailed Highlights
The programme significantly expanded beyond the planned itinerary due to participants' overwhelming enthusiasm (with the delightful addition of the Night Walk!) focusing on immersive learning and physical exploration.
3. Logistics and Administration
Event Promotion
The activity was posted on several social media channels a month in advance, on October 11, 2025, through the following list:
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● MNS Members’ Portal
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● Mnsselangor Instagram
● Facebook pages: MNS Selangor Branch Flora Group ; Malaysian Nature Society - Negeri Sembilan & Melaka Branch; and Malaysian Nature Society Selangor Branch
Accommodation and Meals
Shared accommodation was provided in the basic quarters of the FRIM Pasoh Research Station at Simpang Pertang town, a 20-minute drive from the research site. Participants were advised that meals were not provided onsite, but eateries at Simpang Pertang were highly accessible, promoting self-sufficiency and interaction with the local community.
Travelling Routes
Due to limited parking on site, carpooling was strongly advised and participants adhered to the recommendation. Three driving routes were recommended and proved handy for the participants.
Administrative Application
Yao T.L. arrived a day earlier to submit participants’ forest reserve entrance permits at the Pejabat Hutan Daerah Negeri Sembilan Utara, Kuala Klawang. Prior to that, budget planning, and accommodation booking were needed to organise this activity. Wong Wei Fong, Yee Chun Wah, Vuthy Taing and, and Lim Koon Hup provided vital administrative support at different phases of organisation making this nature outing possible.
4. Some Key Learning Points
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● Safety First: Yao T.L. started with a Safety Briefing before we set off. He emphasised that the wild is exactly that – Wild. He warned about possible encounters with wildlife like cobras, pit vipers, black panthers, and tapirs. For many of the participants, this seemed like it would be wonderful encounters with wildlife, but Yao T.L. emphasised we had to RESPECT the wildlife and to keep our distance.
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● Forest Etiquette: DO NOT REMOVE ANYTHING FROM A FOREST RESERVE, AND DO NOT PLUCK ANYTHING, NOT EVEN A LEAF (EXCEPT FOR SCIENTIFIC PURPOSES)
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● Tree Identification based on morphological characters:
o The morphology of tree base / buttresses / roots
o Bark surface, patterns
o Leaf types: simple or compound; leaves arrangements: opposite, alternate, whorl;
indumentum of the upper and lower surfaces
● Plant Taxonomy / Binomial Naming Protocol:
Founding Father of Plant Taxonomy is Swedish botanist Carolus Linnaeus (1707-1778)
EXAMPLE: Monocarpia marginalis (common Malay name: Mempisang) from the Family Annonaceae
o Family: In plants, family names follow the rule of ending in the suffix -ceae, (e.g., Annonaceae, The Annonaceae are a family of flowering plants consisting of trees, shrubs, or rarely lianas commonly known as the custard apple family.)
o Genus/ Genera (plural of Genus): A group of species which are clearly and closely related. It is the first part of the name, always capitalized and italicized (e.g., Monocarpia, Dipterocarpus).
o Species: a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and creating fertile offspring. It is the second part, always lowercase and italicized (e.g., marginalis).
o Varieties/Cultivars: A variety (varietal) is a naturally occurring plant variation, while a Cultivar is a "cultivated variety" that originated or was selected by humans for specific traits
and requires human intervention to maintain those traits (e.g., popular durian “Musang King” – D197).
● Conservation of Species: Cannot be done in isolation – it must be done in conjunction with the Conservation of Ecosystems and Landscapes.
5. Participant Feedback Summary
Participant feedback was collected via a short google survey after the activity ended. Overall satisfaction was high (95% excellent/good rating). Key points of feedback include:
● Positive Highlights: The introductory briefing on FRIM's research was highly praised for adding academic depth. The challenge and reward of the 4.5 km trek to see emergent trees were frequently cited as the most memorable part of the trip, emphasizing the sheer scale of the old-growth forest.
● Areas for Improvement: Clean sheets and new beddings were provided. However, issues with
cleanliness of accommodations, from lizard droppings to cockroach odour, were raised. Safety of
multiple long ladder-bridges could be enhanced. Requirements to cross these bridges can be
informed in the programme to caution elderly/ faint-hearted people before signing up. Programme
details can be attached in the MNS Members’ Portal for information.
● Day 1 highlights: The 2-hour **Night Walk was an addition to the program requested by a participant
where most people joined. Yao T.L. was very kind to accommodate and accompany the participants
after a long and tiring day of guiding. Everyone who went for it was excited, prepared with headlamps
to be immersed in a whole new world, despite having walked through the same route during the day.
● Day 2 highlights: Walking through a VIRGIN RAINFOREST! Yao T.L. again guided with expertise,
assisted by En. Asmiezal aka Yoyo, as “sweeper” to make sure none of us left behind in the dense
forest! Among the many plants we encountered on were keruing mempelas, chengal, keruing
gombang, hempedu beruang, semangkuk bulat, mempisang, setambun tahi, orange cup-fungus,
jelutung, and many more (see Appendix A).
6. Reflection
The guided Nature Walk in Pasoh Forest was exceptionally fulfilling for all participating nature lovers. The activity has offered participants a very exclusive educational and physical experience in one of the last surviving patches of primary lowland dipterocarp forest on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia. The combination of academic briefings and field exploration provided the participants a well-rounded appreciation for tropical forest research.
Click here to read the Illustrated Field Notes (Appendix B, pages 5-10, or the full Members' Report).
