What sort of plants should I cultivate?

Tanarimba is unique to me because of its undisturbed natural surroundings. It's not "man-made". To maintain its uniqueness, we ask ourselves - what sort of plants should I put into the ground in my home here in Tanarimba?.

To me, the headline answer is simple - plants that would fit right in with the natural setting of Tanarimba. Plants that would not disturb the natural balance in the ecology and biodiversity of the place and better still, plants that will add to the biodiversity. Conversely, I think we should try to avoid plants that would disturb that balance.

Such plants would be those that are introduced or those that are not indigenous (not occurring naturally in our rainforest), the so-called foreign species. Worst still are those foreign species that are invasive or have the propensity to takeover and push out the naturally occuring species.

Unfortunately, some of these plants are hugely popular because they are commonly found in nurseries and thus inadvertently assumed to be "local". Like the beautiful hellaconia, the ubiquitous bougainvillea and even the delicious mango tree. Some of these plants, like the hellaconia can spread quickly and will push out naturally occurring local species.

Yes, the earlier phase of Tanarimba already has foreign pine trees growing magnificently, giving the place a highland feel. So what's wrong with that?- you may ask. Well, what's done is done, but for the remaining area, don't you think it will be nicer to retain the existing tropical rainforest setting?

Of Figs and key stone species

The Fig tree (genus, ficus) is considered a key stone species. What this means is that this type of tree is an integral part of the ecology where it is naturally found. If it goes, then the eco-system will be at risk and the balance will inevitably be affected. The Ficus group comprises several species and the most spectacular one would be the strangling fig. You'll easily spot a few in Tanarimba. One of which sits comfortably in the workshop compound along the main road into Tanarimba, about 2.5 km from the visitors centre.

The strangling fig normally begins life on other trees. Spread by birds and, squirrels or monkeys that eat the figs and drop them on the branches, they will eventually grow roots that 'crawl' downwards, interlacing its way down and practically strangle the host tree. Eventually, the host tree will die and rot away, leaving a cavity with only the inter-laced roots of the fig which would now have become a tree of its own with some interesting trunk designs (see pic).

The hornbills love the figs and the health of a forest is often represented by the number of fig tress found in the forest. Besides the hornbills, many other mammals and insects depend on the figs, hence it being a keystone species.

By the way, humans are NOT a key stone species.

How do you keep the wild boars out?

Just recently, I heard this question indirectly and not the first of the sort too. I was told also that some new residents have asked about the snakes, the monkeys, the bird shit that stains the windows and other wildlife hazards that one would encounter staying here in Tanarimba. How do we keep them out?!

The answer is quite simply you can't and shouldn't. Just live with them. You can't have the view and everything else that Tanarimba represents without those 'hazards'. They are part of the package. Take one out and we'll have an adverse end-of-the-world type chain reaction and there goes Tanarimba.

It is not so bad really because that's what staying here means. We are the guests and the 'hazards' are welcoming us, hence we should be like any courteous guest and not shoo off the hosts.

The general rule is they won't bother us if we give them their space and not bother them too much. Yes, they may come by, mess up your windows, disturb your dogs, might even swallow a pet chicken or two, but hey, let us not forget that we are after all in the rainforest!

I think in the end, it is a matter of appreciating the surroundings, the animals, insects and the occasional nuisance with humour and humility. It should work... otherwise I can recommend an alternative, more 'suitable' place to move out to - Damansara Heights.

True Effort

Was at Tanarimba last weekend and stopped by the lovely Balinese house somewhere along the main road that is being painstakingly built - you won't miss it - the majestic roof structures are great first impressions. And towards the back is that naturally occuring wall of green. Matured trees, some fruiting, greets the line of sight. The stream somewhere below lends a pleasant soundtrack to an already calm view. Leaf birds and black-capped bulbuls danced around the branches. I didn't have to crank my neck nor use my binoculars. Yes they were that close. The owner had said that he tried to maintain all the trees on the land and indeed he has done a good job at that.

To cap it off, 2 rhinoceros hornbills flew past overhead. At the same time, the screeching call of a gliding cresent serpent eagle resonated in the air. The two landed on a tree across the road for a couple of minutes before setting off again.

Ahh.... the spirit renewed once again.

To share your thoughts, just send me an email. Would appreciate if you can indicate your lot number, your name and a pseudonym if you so wish and i will just add you onto the next posting.

Keeping the natural undergrowth

For a start, i think the undergrowth as a vital component of the whole eco-system should be maintained in its natural state as much as possible... Without the natural undergrowth, Tanarimba will just be another Lake Gardens, just a garden. The undergrowth sustains life at the lower levels of the rainforest, which then feeds the needs of life higher up the food chain, the birds like the hornbills and the raptors, until the primates like the gibbons and the dusky leaf monkeys. Of course along with those lovable creatures, we have the less lovable ones (depending on who we ask) like snakes, mosquitoes and leeches. These creatures and insects are naturally part of the jungle. They come as a package and they should be accepted as such. There are ways of course to distance ourselves from them without having to wipe them and their ecosystem out..
And if you have any experience in this area, let's share...

Setting up Home

Tanarimba is our escape to paradise. Leaving behind the city trappings which are so wasteful to the soul, Tanarimba will be our true home. Therefore, the most important thing about Tanarimba to us is that the place must be set up right. No so much our house which has yet to be built, but the surroundings which makes Tanarimba special. I'm sure you, our present and future neighbours, feel the same way too. That spell that was cast upon us the first time we strolled into Tanarimba we hope will remain with us for a very long time. That spell to me would be the verdant surroundings, the thick rainforest, the sounds of the gibbons in the morning, the rhythmic sounds of the insects, the occasional bite of a leech. That whole ecosystem which is so well represented in Tanarimba.

So how do we keep Tanarimba as natural as possible? Let's share