‘Use of travel agent services to Mossy Forest temporary’

THE use of travel agent services to the Mossy Forest in Cameron Highlands is only a temporary measure, says the Pahang Forestry Department.

The department said since the opening of all ecotourism areas with permanent forest reserve status in Pahang from March 7, visitors wanting to go to Mossy Forest must obtain the services of a travel agent in the Cameron Highlands district.

In justifying its action, the department said this was because of a landslide at the entrance to the Gunung Brinchang VHF station, which is also the access road to the Mossy Forest.

The incident, which happened during the monsoon in December last year, had caused the road to become dangerous for ordinary vehicles and drivers who were not used to the road, said the department in a statement.

It added that the access road, including the area affected by the landslide, was not suitable for ordinary vehicles, and for the safety and comfort of visitors, only four-wheel drive vehicles could be used to get to the Mossy Forest.

The department was responding to a news report on the compulsory use of transportation by select tour operators in order to visit the Mossy Forest.

“Parking at Mossy Forest is also very limited. For traffic control purposes in the area, the department recommends that visitors obtain the services of travel agents in the form of a car pool.

“The use of travel agents will ensure visitors’ safety, especially when passing through high-risk areas of landslides and damaged roads,” it said.

The department said packages offered by travel agents to Mossy Forest were based on market prices and current demand.

“This is a temporary measure until the access road is repaired by the Public Works Department and is safe to use,” it said.