Nature Park

The Kuala Selangor Nature Park, also known as Taman Alam, is a large nature sanctuary, being established since 1987 and consisting of 200 hectares of mangroves and secondary coastal forest. The park is one of the main attractions of Kuala Selangor, located at the base of Bukit Melawati. It was originally part of a greater tract of primary coastal forest, but land reclamation works have claimed all but this piece of land, now the park.

A 25-acre brackish lake, held in place by a man made embankments, sits in the center of the park, providing a rich Visitors and tourists can navigate through a short and narrow road to reach the park office, run by the Malaysia Nature Society, pay RM4 for their tickets and then explore the area to their contentment. Several trails run across the park, namely Egret (550 m), Pangolin (1 km), Costal Bund (1.7 km) and Langur (1.1 km) trails. These jungle paths cross into mud flats, estuaries and coastal forests, with observatory bridges and platforms built at strategic locations.habitat for crabs, crustaceans, fish and other wildlife. A trail for visitors winds around the wetlands of this lake system with several bird watching hides, sheds and a watch tower built along the pathways.

As many as 150 species of birds can be found in the park, and most of the wading varieties can be glimpsed or observed around the lake, foraging for food in the muddy waters.From September till March, the Nature Park attracts a host of migratory birds, some from as far as China and Russia, who come to feed and roost in the lake before flying over to Australia. Storks, herons, king fishers, kites, eagles and shrikes are some of the birds that thrive in this mangrove ecosystem. Hence, bird watchers and photographers will find this park to be an oasis. Visitors should not just stare at the sky, but look to the ground to view the rich mud flats. The muddy beds of the mangroves, at low tide, reveal countless holes in the ground, made by colourful crabs than can be seen scurrying around.

Mud skippers of many different sizes playfully skip around in the miniature pools created by the ebbing of tide. Insects such as butterflies are also found abundantly in the park, along with snakes, skinks, monitor lizards, monkeys and otters. The ferns, figs and trees, comprising over 13 species, provide shade and refuge among the mangroves.

Visitors should note that mosquitoes are rampant in the park, day or night, so cover yourselves well, but not to the extent of cooking yourself in the daylight sun. Having a pair of shades will also help you to look at things, as it does get pretty bright in the afternoon. If you have bug spray that you can spray on your skin, use it generously.

Previously, the park used to host a breeding programme for the endangered Milky stork, but it has since been abandoned. The aviary that used to house these creatures can still be seen in the park. The nature park also has accommodation facilities, in the shape of several chalets near the park entrance. It is fortunate that Kuala Selangor still has this treasure (before it was turned into a sanctuary, plans were made to build a golf course here!) that future generations can appreciate.