Spread out between the Katingan and the Sebangau Rivers, just at the outskirt of Palangkaraya,, the Sebangau National Park
in Central Kalimantan is one of the last remaining peat swamp forests
in Borneo. The vast national park covering approximately
568,700-hectare is home to over 6,000 orangutans, forming one of the
world’s largest populations in the wild. Aside from its rich
biodiversity, the forest is also known for its special ecosystem: that
of the black water ecosystem. This particular
ecosystem was created from decomposing organic matter living in these
peat swamps, resulting in the blackened water and the unique variety of
organisms.
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The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Indonesia
campaigned to establish the park, which was gazetted in 2004, and the
organizaton remains at the forefront at involving nearby residents in
low-impact logging, home industry, reforestation and ecotourism. Thus,
providing balance harmony between the preservation of Orangutan and the
community.
Latest developments based on genetic research by Zhang (2001) and Taxonomy by Groves (1999) revealed that the Borneo Orangutan, Pongo pygmaeus, is of a different species from the Sumatran Pongo abelli.
The Borneo orangutan has a distinctive body shape with very long arms
that may reach up to two meters in length. They have a coarse, shaggy
reddish coat and grasping hands and feet. They are highly sexually
dimorphic, with adult males being distinguished by their large size,
throat pouch and flanges on either side of the face, known as cheek
pads. The Borneo orangutan travels on the ground more than its Sumatran
counterpart. It is theorized this may be partly because herethere is no
need to avoid large predators as found in Sumatra including he Sumatran
Tigers.
Aside from being the home of huge
communities of orangutans, the park is also habitat to 35 species of
mammals, 116 species of Borneo typical birds, 36 species of fish, and
about 166 species of flora. Some of the particular animals that roam
freely in these forests include: orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus), Southern pig-tailed macaques (Macaca nemestrina), kelasi (Presbytis rubicunda), proboscis monkeys (Nasalis larvatus) , Sun Bears (Helarctos malayanus), Forest cats (Felis bangalensis), Chipmunks (Exilisciurus axilis), hornbills or enggang gunung (A. undulatus), enggang gading (Buceros vigil), enggang badak (Buceros rhinoceros), Swamp Heron (Ciconia stormi), pecuk ular (Anhinga melanogaster), cangak merah (Ardea purpurea), cangak laut (Ardea sumatrana), Black Eagle (Ictinaetus malayensis), Catfish (Clarias sp.), papuyu (Anabas testudineus), kakapar (Belontia hesselti), and sambaling (Betta sp). Among some of the flora found in the park are: jelutung (Dyera lowii), belangeran (Shorea belangeran), pulai (Alstonia angustifolia), ulin wood, Deer Horn orchids and black orchids.
Amidst the peat swamp forests, the National Park also offers beautiful scenery of pristine hills. From the top of Bukit Batu
or Rock Hill, one overlooks the Sebangau National Park and all its
fascinating scenery. The hill is also the perfect spot for bird
watching since white Herons, swallows, Green Cucaks, Keruang, Kepodang, and Bald Eagles are among some of the exotic birds that nest here on the hills. A long and challenging trek is available at Bukit Bulan or the Moon Hill. As trekkers make their way up the hill, they will be presented with refreshing trails along the Sungai Bulan,
or Moon River. A unique ecosystem of peat swamp and granite rocks is
observable at Bukit Kaki or Foot Hill. The granite rockz cause a dry
environment, and thus the trees are different from those in the
surrounding environment.
In the Sebangau National park are also
crystal clear, refreshing, fresh water lakes. These lakes are also
habitat to various species of fish and other distinct flora and fauna,
and are the best place to watch nature‘s process at its finest. These
magnificent lakes are known as Bulat Lake (Round Lake), Punggualas Lake, Jalan Pangen Lake, and Panjang Lake (Long Lake).
Along with Tanjung Puting,
the Sebangau National Park is a perfect representation of the pristine
tropical forests of Central Kalimantan. Guarded by endless preservation
efforts and the ancient local wisdom of the Dayak, these tropical
forests form an important part of the world’s environment, supplyig
vital oxygen for the entire planet.
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