A visitor passes by the lookout tower in the park, which is no longer accessible.
One of the huts provided for visitors to take shelter during rainy days.
The main entrance of Bukit Lima Nature Reserve.
These dead trees are remnants of the bush fire that razed the forest in July 2014.
Trees provide shade for visitors in the park.
SIBU: The Bukit Lima Nature Reserve here is worth visiting by both locals and non-locals.
According to Rata Sumping — a visitor to the peat swamp forest park located about 6km from town — the site offers great experience.
“For nature lovers, I am sure they would want to return to this park to enjoy the sights and sound of nature.
“This place should be promoted as a tourism spot, apart from for recreation,” said the 38-year-old, who went to the park with her children on Saturday.
Rata said the relevant authority should put up a proper signboard to assist visitors in locating the park.
She also suggested that Sarawak Forestry Corporation would indicate the names of plants there.
The park was opened in July 2001 as the ‘Green Lung’ of this town. At present, it is considered the largest peat swamp forest park in the state.
It is known to have several species of birds like hornbills and kingfishers, as well as mammals such as long-tailed macaques, shrews and Hose’s pigmy squirrels.
Many plant species including swamp trees like the ‘Alan’ (Shorea albida) and ‘Nyatoh’ (Palaquium/Payena spp) can be found there as well.
The ‘Alan’ is among the timber species that contributed to Sarawak’s economy from the 1950s till the 1990s.
To enjoy the view in the park, visitors can walk on two plankwalks spanning 5.7km.
The park was forced to close after 70 acres of the area, including a section of the plank walks, was burned during a bush fire in July 2014.
Repair works on the plankwalks were undertaken in September that same year, during which 600 Kelampayan saplings were also planted.
Meanwhile during a recent function here, former deputy tourism minister Datuk Dr James Dawos said the park had the potential to be developed as a botanical garden.
The park is open daily from 6.30am to 6.30pm.