IPOH, Oct 18 — All hiking trails and recreational activities within permanent forest reserves (HSK) in Perak will be closed to the public from November 2 to January 17 next year due to the monsoon season.

Perak Forestry director Datuk Mohd Basri Abdul Manaf said the directive took into account current risk assessments and the weather outlook report issued by the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia).

“All hiking trails and recreational activities within Perak’s HSK, including jungle trekking, four-wheel driving and cycling, are prohibited during this period,” he said in a notice posted on the Perak Forestry Department’s official website.

He said the directive had also been circulated to all district forestry offices, ranger offices, police stations, penghulu (village head) offices and relevant agencies for public information and reference.

However, the department’s Hiking Trail Conservation Programme is exempted from the closure. The programme will be held in the HSK areas of Kuala Kangsar, Larut, Matang and Selama, Kinta, Manjung and Perak Selatan from Nov 21 to Dec 26. — Bernama