Bukit Tabur

Bukit Tabur is a magnificent limestone ridge at Taman Melawati in Kuala Lumpur. It may possibly be longest crystal quartz outcrop in the world, a priceless geological wonder that is yet unrecognised. The ridge supports a type of heath forest, characterised by dry vegetation and plants that have adapted to growing on steep and harsh terrain. Climbing up the hill, visitors can see 250 species of small coniferous-like trees, shrubs, creepers, orchids and moss, including five endemic species of plants. Also, beautiful crystal quartz formations may be glimpsed, but many have been chipped away at the frequented trails by climbers, for souvenirs.

Running in a semi-circle at more than 14 km long and 200 meters wide, its most prominent section is the middle 5 km span that lies behind Taman Melawati all the way to the National Zoo. This section consists of several peaks that can easily be traversed via a few trails, including the most popular path running from from the Klang Gates Dam. The sheer size of the ridge provides a dramatic backdrop to Kuala Lumpur City and an accessible destination for limestone hill exploration. Other than plants, the ridge is also home to many different types of mammals (including the rare mountain serow), birds, insects and other wildlife. While trekking here, dusky langurs can often be spotted making a ruckus among the trees while wild boars frequently dart away at the sound of footsteps.

Scorpions and snakes will occassionally cross your path on a lucky day. The diversity of wildlife here is simply amazing for such a harsh rocky environment, making it all the more valuable as a conservation area. On the peak of Bukit Tabur, you get an amazing vista of the Klang Gates Dam and surrounding mountains; look the other way and the city of Kuala Lumpur greets you in the far distance, along with the ugly views of soil erosion and construction sites enroaching on the immediate slopes. Despite the enormous eco-tourism potential and geological value of Bukit Tabur, little protection has been accorded till today for this piece of natural heritage. Development continues to climb up the slopes of this quartz ridge, until one day, Bukit Tabur becomes a barren rock fit for human urbanisation.