Tasik Bera is an important and beautiful lake of Malaysia. There are two major natural lakes in Malaysia of which Tasik Bera is one which c overs 24,000 hectares of an area.
This natural and freshwater lake is credited to be the biggest freshwater swampland in Peninsula Malaysia
In this wetland reserve you can find various kinds of foliages and vegetations. From pandunas leaves, ferns, orchids to rattan; you have countless varieties of distinctive flora to explore.
In fact, pitcher plants in green and red colors and palms abounding in the dry areas add glory to the flora family of Tasik Bera.
Tasik Bera is a home to diverse plants and animals. It shelters 200 bird species, 50 mammals and as many as 90 fish species.
You can view some of the exotic species of birds, mammals and fishes which include hawks, herons, water-birds, tigers, tapirs, elephants, leopard, wild boars, monkeys, mouse-deer, squirrels, lemur, harlequins, tiger barbs and catfish.
Besides, you can also indulge in other activities such as boating, kayaking, trekking and fishing here.
To add further, in dry and wet seasons you can enjoy its beautiful landscapes to the best. However, some of the forest tracks around this lake prohibit entry on its wet months.
Tasik Bera is of great importance not only because of the rich biodiversity but also from a scientific, recreational, educational and economic point of view.
This alluvial peat swamp supports a biological community that is unique to Malaysia.
Almost 100 species of freshwater fish, 200 species of birds and 68 species of mammals thrive here.
Endangered and vulnerable species include the Asian elephant, tiger, clouded leopard, tapir, Asian Arowana and the Malayan false gharial crocodile.
The Purple Water Trumpet or keladi paya survives only in Tasik Bera.
There are two distinct wet and dry seasons here with the wet months from April to May and September to January.
The water level rises and falls with the seasons, fluctuating from a depth of 1-metre during the dry season, from February to April and June to August, to 7-metre during the monsoon periods.
Leaving Just before entering into the river valley we see beautiful white water lily and pink lotus gardens.
Reed beds spread out from the forested areas so thick and compact that if we were to step off the boat onto the reeds we would seem to be standing in the middle of a prairie.
Although the lake is shallow, between 2 and 5metres during the dry season (February to April, June to August), The water-level can rise another 3metres during the Monsoons (April, May and September through to January).
The depth of the lake wasn't the worry- not knowing what lurks beneath the surface was a little more unnerving.
The Malayan False Gharial, various blind snakes, pipe snakes, water snakes and vipers are quite often seen in such swamps.
The Malayan Giant frog is a resident of the lake, often tipping the scales at 1 to 2kg. Closer to the plantations live the large reticulated pythons that can grow to a length of between 4m and 5m.
Worldtravel4indians.com offers interesting information on Tasik Bera Lake and many more around Malaysia.
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