Luagan Lalak

Luagan Lalak Forest Recreation Park is a 270-hectare freshwater swamp in Kampong Sungai Petai, Mukim Labi, Belait District, nearly 100 km from Bandar Seri Begawan. It lies within the Labi Hills forest reserve and was established in 1980^[1].

Mammals recorded include the Sunda pangolin, maroon leaf monkey, colugo and Horsfield's tarsier. Birds include the garnet pitta, argus pheasant, Storm's stork, Bornean bristlehead and rhinoceros hornbill^[1].

The swamp is an alluvial freshwater swamp (empran) with dark water and large fields of the sedge Lepironia articulata (purun). In dry months the water level drops and sedges cover the valley^[1].

The swamp is alluvial, formed on sediments deposited by water^[1].

The water level changes with the seasons, dropping significantly in dry months^[1].

Visitor records show 4,164 visitors in 1996, and more than 81,000 had come by May 2018 counting from the 2001 opening^[1].

The park was established in 1980, with groundwork in 1993, and developed by the Forestry Department in 1998 under the 6th National Development Plan. It was officially reopened in 2012 for World Forestry Day^[1].

A 200-metre wooden bridge crosses the swamp, with walkways, three gazebos, benches and a barbecue pit^[1].

There is no public transport, so a private vehicle is needed: about an hour's drive to Kampong Sungai Liang via the Telisai-Lumut Highway, then 25 km along Jalan Labi. Parking is free and restrooms are across the road from the entrance^[1].

The Forestry Department protects the park as a recreational forest and wetland conservation area, a natural wetland rather than disturbed or plantation forest^[1].