YAN: Standing tall in the depths of Gunung Jerai’s lush forest, a centuries-old Mengkundor tree has now been recognised as the largest and oldest of its kind on the mountain and is set to take its place as Kedah’s newest eco-tourism attraction.
The towering giant, scientifically known as Tetrameles nudiflora, rises as high as a 10-storey building, its base stretching nearly 25 metres across with sprawling buttress roots that span the length of 20 adults linking hands.
Located along the Puteri Mandi trail, about 2km from Titi Hayun, the tree sits within the Gunung Jerai forest reserve, an area rich with biodiversity.
The trek to reach it takes between 30 minutes and an hour, offering visitors a glimpse of the surrounding birdlife, flora and fauna along the way.
Kedah state Tourism Committee chairman Datuk Salleh Saidin said the site’s natural allure would make it a magnet for eco-tourists.
“This tree is not only a natural wonder to photograph and admire, but the trail itself is alive with diverse species that nature lovers will appreciate. We are confident it will become a key attraction,” he said during a site visit yesterday.
He added that the state government, together with the Yan District Council, the Forestry Department and other agencies, would work on a phased plan to carefully develop the area while preserving its environment. Discussions with the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry are also on the cards.
At present, the site is not fully open to the public, and visitors must obtain a permit from the Forestry Department before accessing the trail.
Yan Forestry Department officer Nor Shahrini Nordin Ahmad, who accompanied the visit, described the Mengkundor tree as a natural marvel, noting its immense roots and size as a rare sight in the region – NST
