NEGERI SEMBILAN
Negeri Sembilan
Negeri Sembilan simply means ‘Land of Nine States’ because it once comprised nine separate districts, each ruled by a Malay Chieftain. Seremban, its capital is easily accessible by road and rail from Kuala Lumpur, about 50 kilometres away. Among the main attractions of the town are the Cultural Handicraft complex, the State Museum, the State Mosque and the Lake Gardens. Negeri Sembilan lies on the western coast of Peninsular Malaysia. The total area of the state is 6,686 square kilometres.
Contact Info
- Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM)
- feedback@frim.gov.my
- www.frim.gov.my
Negeri Sembilan is a perfect example of a modern state embraced by rich customs and traditions. Retaining the tradition and culture in the state means you will find pleasant rural landscape with paddy fields and village near the forest and reputed to be a good place to live. These are the most likely places for birdwatching.
In terms of its bird life, the state has a list of 432 bird species and attracts birders and photographers due to its proximity to the Kuala Lumpur International Airport and the Klang Valley (Kuala Lumpur and Selangor).
Pasoh Forest Reserve
No. of species: > 300
Pasoh Forest Reserve is a nature reserve located about 8 kilometres from Simpang Pertang, Malaysia and around 70 kilometres southeast of Kuala Lumpur. It consists of an area covering 2,450 hectares of lush tropical rainforest. It is one of the research sites of the Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM). With over 300 species of birds recorded, their list includes 9 species of raptors, 26 species of babblers, 14 species woodpecker, 13 species of bulbul, 6 species of hornbills and 4 species of pitta.
High on the start studded list of birds, birdwatchers will have a chance to record the Crestless Fireback, the elusive Malay Peacock Pheasant, White-fronted Scops-owl, Cinnamon-rumped Trogon, White-crowned Hornbill, Green Broadbill, Malay Banded Pitta and the rare Malay Honeyguide, Large Frogmouth, Gould’s Frogmouth and the Blyth’s Frogmouth as well as 8 species of owls.
Permission is required to enter the Pasoh Forest Reserve. This can be obtained from the Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM). Arrangements for accommodation at this forest reserve need to be done at least one week in advance. This is one of the best sites where research and ecotourism has succeeded.
Gunung Telapa Buruk
No. of species: 246
The state of Negeri Sembilan is blessed to have a variety of habitats for birds and wildlife. Gunung Telapa Buruk is one such location that offers a chance for birdwatchers to record hill forest birds. With an elevation of 1,193m asl, this site is merely a 40-minute drive from the city of Seremban. This forest reserve covers an area of (around 50,000 hectares) in the middle of Negeri Sembilan.
There are about 246 species recorded to date in the area. Included in the list are gems such as the Banded Broadbill, Silverbreasted Broadbill, Dusky Broadbill, Great Iora, Wreathed Hornbill, Rufous-bellied Eagle, Sooty Barbet, Rufous-winged Philentoma, Black-bellied Malkoha, Crow-billed Drongo, Chestnut-rumped Babbler, Rufous Piculet, Tiger Shrike.
Another point of interest at Gunung Telapa Buruk would be the wreckage of the World War 2 B-24 Liberator bomber which crashed in August, 1945. The B-24 was a four-engine heavy bomber built mainly for the US Air Force, that crashed on the then remote slopes of Gunung Telapa Buruk. Today, you can trek to the crash site of the plane, using either the Pantai trail (around four hours), or the shorter trail (1.5-2 hours) from the summit. Engaging a local guide is strongly encouraged though to have an enjoyable hike and to record those beautiful birds.
This site can be only accessed by car and you can also stop by a famous waterfalls, called Jeram Toi Waterfalls which is at the foothills.
