What interesting thing you can do at Paya Indah Wetlands?

Paya Indah Wetlands is located at Kuala Langat, Selangor which is 30 km from KL and 15 km from KLIA. The total area of the park is 3100 hectares. Paya Indah Wetlands has been officiated by Tun Mahathir, former Prime Minister in 2001.

Paya Indah Wetlands was initially an abandoned land which had been heavily degraded by tin mining and sand dredging activities started since 1983. The tin mining activity stopped in 1997 as the dredger was broken down which resulted in forming of 14 man-made lakes. Nevertheless, these man-made lakes were polluted with the usage of the chemical during the tin mining activity. The level of heavy metal, mercury and etc was detected high during that time. Hence, the Prime Minister's department decided to take measure to conserve and restore the various biodiversity at Paya Indah Wetlands.

The restoration began with the plantation of Salvinia molesta, an aquatic plant from Salviniaceae family. Salvinia has short roots and is able to float at the surface of the lake. Due to fast growth rate, the plant dominated almost all the lakes compared with other aquatic plants. As it blocks the sunlight and oxygen from getting to the bottom of the lake,it causes the growth of the aquatic plant, insects, microorganisms and fish died. The plant is not suitable as food for wildlife and fish. With the cleaning work of Salvinia, it gives chances for other useful plants to grow around Paya Indah Wetlands.

About 220 species of trees were suggested to plant in this area. Not only to beautify the place, but the re-plantation also intended to attract the wildlife which stayed there once upon a time. The increasing number of aquatic plants also works as filtration which the dregs and dirt are filtered before getting into the lake. The plants are also crucial in serving as shelter, food and materials to make nests.

The entrance to Paya Indah Wetlands is free. One of the highlights in the park is the hippo feeding at 10am every morning. We spotted two that day.

The dark-skinned hippos originated from Botswana. They graze and eat grass only.

Crocodiles are also one of the protected wildlife in the park. It looks like floating wood from afar.

 

When the Perhilitan staff threw the dead chicken into the water, the crocodiles swam swiftly toward their meal. Without any hesitance, they grabbed and swallowed within a few seconds.

While most of the crocs stay in the water, there is one lying on the grass silently and watching us from afar.

The crocs feeding time starts at 11am. However, there was no crowd when we were there.

Recreation activities that you can do at the park:

Photography

Feeding fish, crocodiles and hippos

Bicycling

Exploring the lake by boat

Paddleboat

Kayaking

Fishing

Guided Nature Walk

Cultural activities at Malay House

Night Herping

Camping

Bird watching

Jungle trekking

The wild mushroom grows at the side of the pond.

 

The types of birds which have been spotted here are:

- purple swamp hen
- white-breasted water hen

- olive-backed sunbird

- brown shrike

- red-wattled lapwing

- Swinhoe's snipe

- yellow vented bulbul

- peacock

The black and white fur ducks beside the lotus pond. They are just too shy and ran away when I tried to approach them. A lot more things to discover in Paya Indah Wetlands but due to time limitations, we had not explored them yet. I hope to come here again with family especially kids as it is a great place for leisure and educating them.

Paya Indah Wetlands,
Jabatan Perlindungan Hidupan Liar dan Taman Negara (PERHILITAN)
KM4, Jalan Dengkil-Banting,
43800 Dengkil, Selangor 

Operation hour: 7.30am - 7pm
Fishing time: Close on Friday

Tel: 03-8768 7616 / 03-8768 8726
Faks: 03-8768 8424
Email: piw@wildlife.gov.my