Rainforest Field Studies Centre Kuala Belalong

The FSC is located near Kuala Belalong, within the Batu Apoi Forest Reserve. It is a joint venture project between Brunei Shell Petroleum and University Brunei Darussalam (UBD). Brunei Shell donated the funds to build seven timber houses,including accommodation, a laboratory and a dining room. 

The centre is a focal point for teaching, training and research into the lowland tropical forests of Brunei. It can also provide facilities for fieldwork at both university and secondary school level, which are available to schools, higher education institutes, government departments and bona-fide overseas scientists. The centre can accommodate up to 24 people. 

The trip there is not easy, and can take up to two and a half hours of pushing and pulling a longboat over a series of 23 rapids. But the site is a natural wonder of international importance. For example, one entomologist doing research there found over 400 species of beetle in a single tree. Applications for overnight visits must be made through the UBD.