 Over the years, it has become customary for every semester's new student intake, the Faculty of Art and Design, UiTM will organise activity for the fresh first semester Undergraduate students to participate in "Nature Walk' initiative as part of their orientation activity.
With a total of almost 700 students and faculty members at the Park that day, the only place that could accommodate such a big population can only be the the nearby Bukit Cahaya Seri Alam AgroPark in Shah Alam. The Nature Walk is intended as a social activity and to generate awareness amongst students about the beauty and conservation of their Natural environment.
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Tents were erected at a nearby Golf shooting range situated besides the AgroPark where everyone is treated with a light refreshments for breakfast.
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The early morning activity begins of with a warming up excercise for all to loosen up all stiff muscles and limbs before embarking on the 4 km trekking journey.
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The Faculty Dean, Dr.Baha briefing the crowd about the aims and objective of the Nature Walk
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Everyone doing the stretching and breathing excercise.
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A more rigorous warming up excercise to pump up the heart rate prior to the trekking.
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Greeted with colourful pink leaves at the begining of the Nature Walk
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Even the size of the forest ants was humongous as it crawls along the pavement
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The beginning route was on a well constructed pavement, before ascending on tarmac road up the hill.
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The second section of the route means desccending amongst the undergrowth along slippery jungle track
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At some point, the track do narrow down as we seek for firm footing along the steep downhill path
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And it is only natural for us to encounter the Pig-tail Macaque (Macaca nemestrina) standing on guard and staring at the the crowd of students as we all invaded their territory
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Beautiful mushroms blooming on the decaying woods on the forest floor.
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The thorny palm of the Nipah
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Even the palm leaf is filled with thorny spikes.
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The downwardly pointed sharp thorns of the Nipah tree prevents any animals from climbing up.
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More close-up of the spikes of the rattan palm vines can be seen,used to anchor itself to the tree branches as it climbs up to the top of the forest canopy for sulinght.
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Beautiful flowering shoots
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The entrance to the wasp nest.
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Carefully descending the slippery downhill slopes
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Preparing to cross muddy streams at the base of the slope before ascending yet to another hill further yonder
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The visible fresh footprint of the wild boar become embedded into the soft mud.
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What remains of the tree top after being struck down by strong lightning bolt.
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A species of the Didymocarpus platypus (Gesneriaceae), a perennial herb which grows on the forest floor, used by Malays as a decoction of the roots for treating coughs.
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The rest of the journey is quite relaxing and peaceful.
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The trek route was considered a very easy one and everyone completed the whole journey without any undue mishaps.
Overall, the mission's objective of cultivating friendship and team spirit was successfully achieved. This is reflected in everyone's faces as they enjoyed this relaxing break from the university's stressful campus life.
The nature walk itself closes up with a surprised, an impromptu group participation activity, spearheaded none other than by Prof.Tamyez who is known for his unique talent in capturing the crowds attention and ensuring a total participation.
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A small portion of the 700 students who participated in the Nature Walk, taking a long rest at the end of the journey.
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Prof. Dr. Tamyez giving some motivational talks to all the students.
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Engaging the students with some participatory activity
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And, last but not least, is the lunch treat awaiting back at the camp tent, after such a appetite enhancing activity.
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A hefty meal of Nasi Ayam awaiting at the base camp.
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Students queing for their meal.
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The sweaty nature walk did stir up a strong apetite amongst all.
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Truely savouring the taste of the food as they continue chatting to each other.
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For sure after this events, there will be many things to talk about for many weeks to come amongst all participants.
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