Challenges Aplenty Ahead

Lots of challenges ahead
BY ROYCE CHEAH

PETALING JAYA: Any expedition in search of the lost city that is reportedly located in Johor can expect to meet a variety of challenges, some of which might include predators, booby traps and thick forests that have reclaimed the land.

According to Prof Datuk Abdul Latiff Mohamad of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), an abandoned settlement located in the jungle could be reclaimed by forest in just 80 years.

“Weeds would creep in first, then pioneer tree species would come in leading to a secondary forest in about 80 to 100 years.

“In just 300 years, a primary forest would have emerged, totally covering the area,” he said.

Prof Abdul Latiff added that the lighter shade of trees that seemingly denote walls or areas on the ground in aerial pictures of the reported lost city could mean the lighter shaded trees are younger than those surrounding it.

“Tropical-type trees can grow on top of the rocks as there would be many cracks and crevices for its roots that would have been created by erosion throughout the years.

“It’s also a possibility that the lighter shade of trees are heath forests – trees of shorter stature that give the appearance of a lighter shade of green from above,” said the UKM Science and Technology Faculty dean and botany professor.

For archaeologist Prof Datuk Dr Nik Hassan Suhaimi Nik Abdul Rahman, an expedition to the Kenderung Mountains – that had a similar forest environment – had him using forestry officers and orang asli as his guides.

“They helped us clear the undergrowth of the forest as they knew the forest best. We did not have to cut down any trees to get to the site.

“At the same time, we needed to be wary of tigers and leopards in some parts of the forest.

“Furthermore, the area the ‘lost city’ is reportedly in was a ‘black area’ during the Emergency. There have to be military personnel along to make sure the way is free from mines and traps,” he said.

Prof Abdul Latiff said it would be difficult to imagine how the past 1,000 years of forest growth would affect the journey to, and the state of, the lost city in Johor.