Tasek Bera (Pahang)
Located
in south-west Pahang, Tasek Bera is a natural freshwater lake system
extending 35 km long and 20 km wide and drains into the Pahang River
via the Bera River. As the largest freshwater lake in Malaysia, Bera
remains a unique and remote wetland wilderness. Surrounded bypatches of dry lowland dipterocarp forests, the lake environment
stretches its tentacles into islands of peat swamp forests. Rich in
wildlife and vegetation, Tasek Bera is an ecosystem which supports a
diversity of plant and animal life as well as the native Semelai
tribe inhabiting the wetlands.
The
lake is now the focus of scientific study and is accorded protection
under government and international conventions. The state government
has implemented a 3-year programme, with financial assistance from
the Danish government as well as technical assistance from Wetlands
International Asia Pacific.
Tasek
Bera has distinct wet and dry seasons which may determine the best
time to visit. It is advisable to visit after the wet season as the
lake is good fishing ground after heavy rains. The dry season are
February to April and June to August. The lake itself is
characterised bya watery landscape dominated bylarge grass–like
blades of pandanus leaves which line the narrow channels leading
into the lake. A variety of ferns, orchids and epiphytes can be seen
attached to tree trunks and branches, while strands of thorny rattan
weave through the undergrowth. Among the high reed and rows of dense
foliage in the open water, dozens of pitcher plants hang in shades
of green and red. In the drier areas, lowland rainforest trees and
palms add to the diversity of the wetland reserve.
The
lake and the surrounding areas itself is a sanctuary for more than
200 species of birds, 50 mammals and 90 species of fish. The
biologically rich lowland forest, with its diversity of flora and
fauna, offer ample opportunities for jungle trekking excursions and
nature observation.
Tasek Cini (Pahang)
Tasek
Cini, 100 km from Kuantan off the Kuantan-Segamat road, is actually
a conglomerate of 12 interconnecting lakes. The lake is large and
from June to September is covered bya brilliant carpet of red and
white lotuses, which contrast sharply with the surrounding green
hills. The Jakun tribe lives along the shores of this lake. Besides
hunting and gathering jungle produce, they also collect lotus seeds
when the flowers on the lake wilt. When ripe the cream-colored
seeds, slightly smaller than quails’ eggs, taste distinctly nutty
and are a good source of protein.
The
lake is never dull. Even the origin of the lake itself is mystifying
with the story of how an old woman turned into large black log.
Frightened hunters plunged their spears into the log which began to
sprout blood that formed a hole in the ground. Water started pouring
out from the hole, ultimately creating Lake Cini. Other folklore
talk of Loch Ness type monsters swimming in the lake and of a close
friendship between an old woman and the lake monsters. Another tale
tells of a lost city beneath Cini’s waters and archeological
examination proved that the site was once home to a Khmer
settlement.
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