Tasik Bera or Lake Bera

Located in southwest Pahang, Tasik Bera is the largest natural freshwater lake in Peninsula Malaysia. It is situated in the saddle of the main and eastern mountain ranges of the Peninsula and is approximately 35km long and 20km wide. Tasik Bera has remained a unique and remote wetland wilderness, which is surrounded by a patchwork of dry lowland forests.

Like Tasik Chini, the second largest natural lake in the Peninsula, an aboriginal tribe also inhabits Bera. The Semelai aborigines reside in the areas surrounding Tasik Bera and they continue to acquire food in traditional ways. Rich in wildlife and vegetation, Bera is therefore an ecosystem, which not only supports a diversity of animal and plant life but also sustains the livelihood of the Semelai people.

Tasik Bera plays an important role in flood control, water flow regulation and purification and it also provides many natural resources for the local community. Hence, it is protected under an international treaty, RAMSAR CONVENTION, which was declared in November 1994. The Pahang State Government has also undertaken plans to formulate a nature based tourism development plan, which includes the establishment of a visitor or field study center, the training of site personnel, and the integration of the local community into the overall development.

Bera Lake is a sanctuary for 328 species of flora, 200 bird species, 50 mammals, and more than 95 species of fishes. Although very difficult to discover, the extended wetland area and its surrounding forests still support tigers, tapirs, elephants, and other endangered species. The clouded leopard, wild boars, monkeys, flying squirrels, and flying lemurs are other wildlife known to exist in Bera. The lake also contains a large number of the country’s freshwater fish species, including both popular aquarium and sport fishes.

For nature enthusiasts, Bera is an ideal place for many recreational and adventurous activities. Visitors can choose to jungle trek, participate in river safaris, or go fishing, especially after heavy rains. The relatively isolated and tranquil surroundings of the open water are also perfect for boating or kayaking. Visitors can cruise river channels and inlets in search of vegetation and wildlife.

There are distinct wet and dry seasons in Tasik Bera. The wet months are from April to May and September to January. On the other hand, dry periods are from February to April and June to August.

To ensure safety, visitors are encouraged to hire a guide for all activities on the lake and surrounding forests. The Semelai’s knowledge of both the forest and lake’s habitats make them a popular choice as guides.

There is only one resort in Tasik Bera but visitors are permitted to camp on the north end of the lake at Sudin’s Jetty, as well as the grounds near the resort. Bera is accessible by road. Alternatively, visitors can also take the train from both Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, which stops at Triang and Mentakab respectively. From there, taxis are available to the Bera jetty. There are no local car rental facilities; they must therefore be hired in Kuala Lumpur or Kuantan.

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Lakes of the Great Rift Valley in Africa

Along the eastern part of the Great Rift Valley in Africa is a series of lakes that are tainted with sodium carbonates. These chemicals have leached down from volcanic catchment areas or have entered the lakes through subterranean volcanic activity. Some lakes, such as Lake Turkana in northern Kenya, have a slight alkalinity. Surrounded by thousands of square miles of lonely desert bush, Lake Turkana sometimes takes on a beautiful jade-green color and is home to the largest crocodile population in the world. Lakes such as Lake Magadi of Kenya and Lake Natron in Tanzania are so saturated with salts that they form almost solid deposits of encrusted white soda. The cause? The absence of an outlet that would otherwise carry away the salts. Most of the water escapes through evaporation, leaving behind a high concentration of minerals. Few animals are able to survive in and around the bitter waters of the Rift Valley soda lakes. Notable exceptions, however, are the delicate pink flamingos that move from one soda lake to another, feeding on the microscopic algae that thrive in the caustic waters. Here flamingos congregate by the millions, forming a living sea of pink.

Another inhabitant that thrives in these otherwise deadly waters is a tiny fish called tilapia grahami. This alkaline-resistant fish is often found near underwater steam vents, where the water is so hot that it is uncomfortable to touch with the hand. Yet, there this tiny fish survives, feeding on the lake’s algae.

Only a few of the eastern rift lakes have fresh water. Lake Naivasha, in Kenya, is one. It sits 6,135 feet [1,870 m] above sea level, and its crystal waters provide shelter for varieties of fish as well as basking herds of hippos. All along the shores are lush green beds of papyrus and aquatic plant life, which accommodate over 400 different species of colorful birds. Set against the backdrop of yellow acacia trees and the surrounding mountain ranges, Lake Naivasha is most beautiful to behold.

Amid the rift-valley system lies the second-largest body of fresh water in the world, Lake Victoria. Its waters lap the shores of Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, and it is one of the sources of the Nile River. Farther south, the waters of Lake Tanganyika plunge to a depth of 4,710 feet [1,440 m]. This is the second-deepest lake in the world.

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