THE Selangor Forestry Department is in the midst of setting up a boardwalk trail in Sungai Karang Forest Reserve to provide a safe alternative for nature lovers to explore the forest without damaging it.

The 1.24km trail will be an easy walk for visitors and includes a small bridge instead of them having to wade across the stream as was done in the past.

Selangor State Forestry Department director Dr Mohd Puat Dahalan said the Sungai Karang Forest Reserve (Compartment 188) was the perfect location for adventure activities.

“We hope to have it ready by the third quarter of the year.

“The forest itself is great for water sports and recreational activities such as jungle trekking, kayaking or just a boat ride,” he added.

He said the trail could also be used as an educational tool to help tourists and visitors understand peatland forests and their uniqueness.

He said they would mark all the trees and plants with their contribution to nature as well as a form of education.

The trail will begin near Kampung Sungai Sireh, one of the major tourist spots in the area thanks to the numerous homestays the residents have set up.

“The surrounding areas here are popular agrotourism spots, with ample rice fields as paddy is the main crop for residents here apart from vegetable farms,” he added.

The Sungai Sireh Homestay Agrotourism Information Centre has been the centre of operations for the homestays that were set up on April 5, 1995.

The centre introduces the local lifestyle and culture to visitors and enable them to stay with participating farmers and their families.

The homestay centre is now being coordinated by Abu Bakar Moin. There are 60 homestay options in five different villages.

The participating villages are Kampung Sungai Sireh, Kampung Ampangan, Kampung Parit 2 Sungai Burung, Kampung Seri Gambut and Kampung Sawah Sempadan.