Authorities in Malaysia are introducing new rules for hikers, following a spike in search and rescue operations linked to social media trends.
The measures include the mandatory use of guides at 189 high-risk locations around the country, as well as pre-climb screening procedures for hikers, state media agency Bernama reported Wednesday.
Hiking is increasing in popularity in Malaysia despite the fact that around half of the country’s total land area is carpeted in tropical forest, in which high temperatures and humidity are common. In addition, thick vegetation means it is easy for hikers to get lost if they stray from marked trails.
Popular treks include summit Mount Kinabalu, a 4,095-meter (13,435-foot) mountain in Borneo, or week-long treks in the jungles of Gunung Tahan, home to the highest point in pensinular Malaysia, the 2,187-meter (7,175-foot) Mount Tahan.
But there are also hikes for those that don’t want to leave the city, such as Penang Hill in George Town, or the KL Forest Eco Park in Kuala Lumpur.
