Selangor Hiking Areas To Reopen 1 February; Guides Will Be Compulsory

Selangor closed its recreational forests due to the monsoon.

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The Selangor State Forestry Department (JPNS) has announced the reopening of Taman Eko Rimba and climbing activities in the state starting 1 February.

JPNS said the re-opening includes six Eco Forest Parks and hiking trails in Hulu Selangor Forest, Central Selangor Forest and Klang Beach Forest.

Please get a permit at the nearest forest district office which is Hulu Selangor Forest Office, Central Selangor Forest Office and Klang Beach Forest Office.
JPNS on the requirement for hikers.

Hiking Permit

PNS also informed that it is compulsory to use the service of guides starting on the same date.

The use of guides is compulsory in 18 hiking areas, and climbers must also have a permit to climb.

For more information on guides, the public can contact the Hulu Selangor Guide Association at 019-9194471 or the Selangor Forestry Mountain Guide Association at 018-9741651 for guide services.

In December last year, JPNS issued a notice to close all picnic spots, campsites and recreational forests following instruction by the state government.

The move came in the wake of the Batang Kali landslide on 16 December last year, which claimed the lives of 31 out of the 92 people involved.

Menteri Dalam Negeri arahkan semua tapak perkhemahan & tempat rekreasi air di Batang Kali, Selangor ditutup serta merta.

Bukan di Batang Kali shj, periksa semua tempat perkhemahan/rekreasi dll jg. Tak selamat/ragu2 tutup sj. pic.twitter.com/0M9kL0OY7l
— Rhys Flor Del Cielo (@ellmartt8888) December 16, 2022

Meanwhile, it is noted that the list covered mountains located in Pahang, near the border with Selangor, such as Gunung Ulu Kali and Bukit Cin Cin.

The mountains are believed to involve private land, and hikers are advised to check so they would not trespass into the land of others.

A case example is the situation in Gohtong Jaya near Genting Highlands.

According to locals, many irresponsible parties make money by offering hiking services, claiming to have permits when they do not.

A typical advertisement in social media offering hiking services. (Pix: Facebook)

Transparency And Efficiency

Meanwhile, the public has not received the announcement on making permits and guides compulsory.

Many feel it is troublesome as the permit can only be applied manually at the forestry offices some days before the hike.

https://twitter.com/norachikot/status/1615258063635873792

Some disputed the need for guides on certain tracks, which they said are easy to hike.

Naturalist, bird guide, and ecotourism advocate Andrew Sebastian said the authorities must ensure that guides are trained and well-prepared for the job.

Hiring an experienced guide will save time and ensure hikers find the best spots.

Sebastian, who heads the Ecotourism & Conservation Society Malaysia (ECOMY), said hikers are encouraged to give feedback to their authorities now that the service is compulsory.

It is important to have a guide who can educate and engage and are authorities on their destinations. They are also trained to read and mitigate risky situations.
Naturalist, bird guide, and ecotourism advocate Andrew Sebastian to TRP on the importance of guides.

At the same time, he reminded hikers not to litter the outdoors and keep it clean.