After the cutting

View of Zone E , looking south

Zone F, looking west

 The grass cutting operation is regularly done to help change the perception that an oil palm plantation need not look like an uninhabited place, unkempt, dangerous to walk around and of no beauty.  The proceeds from sales of the ffb (fresh fruit bunches) have been instrumental in providing the means to undertake grass cutting works at the park.  This is because the grasses here are never applied with weedicide since day one.  Based on the Kambatik landscape design philosophy and aesthetics, it is indeed a pleasure to work and walk around the park.  After about ten years of development, the natural environment is flourishing well as evidenced by the return of wildlife to the park, chiefly the birds, butterflies and bees.   Here are some photos showing areas of the park taken just after the grass cutting operation at Zone C, E and F.

View of Zone C, near Butterfly Garden, looking east.

View of Zone E, looking north

View of Zone F, looking south

View of Zone E, looking north

View of Zone E, looking west.

View of Zone E, looking south

Sequence 5 - grass cutting along feeder paths

Feeder paths leading to Zone I

Feeder paths at Botanic Island One

 Feeder paths are an extension of access from the main road to nearby oil palm trees that cannot be reach by pick-up vehicles.  From feeder paths, fresh fruit bunches are collected and placed along the main road for loading and transportation, usually by wheelbarrow.
Some of the feeder paths pass through jungle areas, slopes and valleys.  This is because in the design and planning of the park, the original topography was retained as much as possible to enable the preservation of habitats that can sustain wildlife.

Feeder path through Botanic Island One

Feeder paths through Botanic Island Two

Feeder path connecting Zone I to Zone E

Sequence 4 - grass cutting on plains and open spaces

Plains and open spaces areas on both sides of the stream at it meanders through Zone F

Zone F

 Retaining much of the original topography, the park is well served by a stream that meanders through the land for about 500 meters long.  The plains and open spaces on both sides of the stream needs to be regularly cut for many reasons and can be done once a month.  Once the grasses are neatly trimmed, the areas afford a 'park-like' view of the landscape making walking in the park and along the stream a pleasant experience.
Below are more pictures at various zones showing the plains and open spaces areas.

Zone F

Zone F

Zone F

Zone F

Zone E

Zone B

Sequence 3 - grass cutting between trees

Zone E - some areas are undulating, others relatively flat

Zone A

 An important area to do grass cutting are those spaces in between trees.  Some areas are easy to work on especially those at low lying and flat areas.  However, areas on undulating slopes and hills are  quite problematic especially after the rains making the areas wet and slippery.  In such circumstances, after every heavy rains it would be more advisable to undertake grass cutting on relatively flat areas for safety purpose and ease of working.  In areas where the trees are mature and tall (about 6-8 years) grass cutting can be done once a month as the areas are under heavy shade and grasses tend to re-grow slowly under such conditions.  Below are more pictures of the areas that are regularly cut once a month to make the park look neat, clean and beautiful.

Zone B

Zone E

Zone E

Sequence 2 - main road grass cutting

Zone G

Bush cutter for grass cutting

 Sequence 2 of the grass cutting operation involves the main road that runs around the park in a circuit.  The planning of the park envisaged earlier for easy harvesting and transporting  of the oil palm fruit bunches necessitate the building of a main circuitous road to enable the loading and transportation of fruit bunches within 30 minutes duration covering the park area of about 10 acres.  The main road starts from the entrance of the park and covers all zones.  The top picture shows part of the road along Zone G and below a section of the road running through Zone B.

Zone B

Zone E

Zone E

Zone D

Making the park 'lived'

Sequence one - grass cutting around the Butterfly Garden
Location : Zone C

 It has been about a fortnight since I have not done any grass cutting maintenance to the park largely because of too much time taken for the Hari Raya holidays.  The holiday season is over and now its gardening time.  The sequence of grass cutting operation is firstly the areas around the chalet, to be followed by access areas for harvesting such as main road, feeder road and footpath on slopes. Today I focus on the front areas of the chalet especially the Butterfly garden area.  I look forward to grass cutting the garden for the exercise it brings, the smell of green green grass of home and a clean view to sooth the soul.  To have one's garden regularly maintained means that the place is 'lived' and many species of wildlife will be attracted to the garden as a result.  This is because many birds are social birds that tend to slowly adjust to human existence by relying on humans for the abundance of food they can get easily in mutual co-existence.  Such birds are like the Magpie-robin, Tree Sparrow, Bulbuls and White-breasted Waterhen which prey on worms, grass seeds, rice grains and tiny  insects that are more readily available after each grass cutting operation.

Grass cutting with a bush cutter at the Butterfly Garden area, in front of chalet.
Location : Zone C

View of garden space in front of chalet.
Location : Zone C