MKS

The Malaysian Karst Society (MKS) is a non-profit, non-government organisation formed to conserve the karst outcrops in Malaysia. Karst is landscape underlain by limestone which has been eroded by water through dissolution, producing various formations, these include the limestone hills and caves.

MKS regularly organises trekking, climbing, caving and other karst related activities to generate interest and awareness in karst. Here you will find the photos and updates on our past and future trips. If you have an interest in exploring the dark recesses of caves, or simply feel that beautiful Malaysian karst outcrops need to be conserved, click here to contact us or click HERE for a copy of the Application form.

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KARST NEWS LATEST ISSUE - OCT 2010 (Vol. 7, Issue 2)

MKS has many activities planned for 2010. We just had our trip to Gua Kandu successfully conducted with over 20 participants. Most were new members which helped to increase membership numbers. More will be planned.

The first Friends of Kinta Valley Limestone (FKVL) was held in January 2010. To date, this loose coalition of NGOs is 7 strong and increasing. The NGOs agreeing to be part of FKVL includes WWF Malaysia and Sahabat Alam Malaysia. We hope to have a joint public statement prepared and published soon. A Facebook page has been created to garner support too. Search for Malaysian Karst Society at Facebook.com

Discussions were held with two prominent partners from Government to join us in establishing the Cave and Karst Database. With their support and assistance, we hope to see this project move towards implementation in the near future. Much work still needs to be done.

MKS has also engaged with the Perak State Government on the preservation and proper management of two of the states most neglected heritage sites. These are the Tambun Rock Art and the Gua Naga Mas Fossil. The reaction from the state has been very encouraging and we hope to move forward in this project towards an acceptable solution. Our hope is these sites are secured and managed for future generations.

The projects that MKS has been embarking on and the organizing of trips all needs to help of volunteers. That is why MKS is in need of more members who not only want to show support but we hope some would come forward to contribute their time. At the moment MKS is relying on a very small group of members to function. Therefore, please spread the word around and encourage friends and relatives to be members of MKS and be as active as possible. MKS needs your help. I hope to see you at our next function or activity.

Thank you.

 Hymeir Kamarudin,
President

Located at the eastern frontier of Kedah bordering the Thai province of Yala, this 160,000ha lowland dipterocarp forest is home to most of Malaysia's large mammals. It is home to all 10 Hornbill species found in Malaysia including the very rare and globally threatened Plain-pouched Hornbill.
Some of the activities you can experience include visits to salt licks, overnight at a wildlife hide, swimming and frolicking in cold forest streams, visit to a newly discovered limestone hill and its mysterious caves and watching birds and other wildlife. You can also just laze around the lodge grounds listening to nature's jungle music and being awakened by the haunting call of the White-handed Gibbons.
Earth Lodge is a new ecolodge that constantly strive to be sustainable with low environmental footprint and practice ecotourism principles. It is also the base for the Ulu Muda Field Research Center. Our aim is to help raise awareness of the significance of this important forest landscape and to promote research.

There are 10 rooms and 4 dorms available for guests. All with balcony and bathroom ensuite.
Trips are organized every month. For more information or for bookings please email earthlodgemalaysia@gmail.com or call +6019 442 8926.
Also visit us at www.earthlodgemalaysia.webs.com or  www.facebook.com/earthlodgemalaysia.

The Malaysian Karst Society office has now moved to a new location. It is now at :

3rd Floor, No. 85, Jalan Sultan Abdul Jalil, 30300, Ipoh Perak.

If you need to contact the society, please call any of the  executive committee as listed on the left of this page.

The MKS has received infomation that Bukit Jabak Puyuh in Pahang is to be quarried for limestone. We are very concerned about this development and have sent a letter to the company in question expressing our misgivings and requesting a dialogue with them.

Here is an excerpt of the letter. Click HERE to download the full letter.   

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The MKS is looking for a volunteer to help with the Cave and Karst Database Project. This volunteer must be familiar and have experience in Linux and have basic programing skills. He/she will be working with and assisting MKS to maintain and develop a database software. This is a volunteer job although it may be converted into a paying position in the future depending on funding. Please contact Hymeir at 019-4428926 for more information.