A Day in the Jungle

Here are a few facts that keep us jumping for more:

Did you know that the bamboo is the fastest growing plant in the world? 

Did you know the cicada lives in the ground for up to 17 years as larvae before emerging as adults to mate within 2 weeks?

Most wouldn’t, but those were the things that we learnt from on our field trip to the Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM), organised by the Nilam Subunit of the School Resource Centre. 

After a light breakfast, we set off on an hour-long journey there by bus. Buzzed up by excitement, we got off on a fresh start, breathing in the fresh morning air whilst we waited for our guides.

As our guides arrived, we were split up into two groups. Our guide told us the history of FRIM. It was actually an abandoned tin mine which was turned into a plantation forest by British scientists in 1920 for research. It’s a far cry from the days before the British set foot on Malaysia, when this forest spanned from FRIM all the way to Damansara, but now it is an invaluable gem in ecological research.

For the next hour, we learnt a lot about ecology and nature. From measuring the circumference of a tree planted 60 years ago, to gawping at a termite highway: the hike through the forest was breath-taking and eye-opening. 

We even held a leech in our hands, watching as the poor thing probed for a place to bite! 

We learnt about the various research projects undertaken, like ‘graveyard testing’ where various types of wood are subjected to the elements to determine how long it will last without damage.

In the middle of the trip, we encountered a place where the canopy seemed to fit like a jigsaw puzzle. The reason for this is uncertain, but it might be due to the trees trying to get as much sunlight as possible for every leaf. 

Also, we learnt about the production of camphor and gaharu as a by-product of a tree’s defence mechanism, as well as almost crossing paths with a monkey.

As the trip drew to a close, we cooled off at a near-by waterfall, and simply relaxed as we snapped away photographs as memories of this memorable trip.

Well, not before we jumped for joy!

Pictures by Yeoh Zi Qing and Diana Rodzi

P.S. This article was also published in School Times, an educational pull-out in the New Straits Times. If you don't believe me, I've got a picture to prove it :P