by Yovita Siswati on 26/01/11 at 1:11 am
Like Sumatra and Java, Kalimantan Island is rich in natural resources. Located in the centre of Indonesian archipelago, the island comprises of very diverse ecosystem. Several national parks established on the island provide protection for various species of endangered animal.
Kayan Mentarang National Park
Located on “Apau Kayan” mountain trails plateau at the border between Indonesia and Malaysia, Kayan Mentarang National Park is the largest untouched rainforest on Kalimantan Island. With a total area of 1.6 million hectares, the park mainly consists of lowland rainforest. This park is the home of some protected species of mammal and bird including Bornean Gibbon, Proboscis Monkey, Clouded Leopard and Rhinoceros Hornbill. Thousands of people of the local tribes of Dayak and Punam often make their settlement inside the park. They live from shifting cultivation and hunting wildlife. Visitors may sometimes stay in their settlement.
Tanjung Putting National Park
Tanjung Putting National Park is the natural habitat of the famous endangered species of orangutan, a species of ape that bears close genetic relation with human. For the rehabilitation of orangutan, four research centers have been established in the park. 29 species of mammal, 200 species of bird and 17 species of reptile endemic to the island of Kalimantan such as gibbons, leopard, hornbills, monitor lizard and pythons also make their home within this national park.
Totaling more than 400 thousand hectares, the park forms the largest protected swamp forest in South East Asia. The ecosystems consist of dry land, swamp, heath, mangrove and coastal forest. In 1977, the park is declared as UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Today, illegal mining, illegal logging and land conversion have damaged 40% of the total area of the park.
Kutai National Park
Located on “Apau Kayan” mountain trails plateau at the border between Indonesia and Malaysia, Kayan Mentarang National Park is the largest untouched rainforest on Kalimantan Island. With a total area of 1.6 million hectares, the park mainly consists of lowland rainforest. This park is the home of some protected species of mammal and bird including Bornean Gibbon, Proboscis Monkey, Clouded Leopard and Rhinoceros Hornbill. Thousands of people of the local tribes of Dayak and Punam often make their settlement inside the park. They live from shifting cultivation and hunting wildlife. Visitors may sometimes stay in their settlement.
Tanjung Putting National Park
Tanjung Putting National Park is the natural habitat of the famous endangered species of orangutan, a species of ape that bears close genetic relation with human. For the rehabilitation of orangutan, four research centers have been established in the park. 29 species of mammal, 200 species of bird and 17 species of reptile endemic to the island of Kalimantan such as gibbons, leopard, hornbills, monitor lizard and pythons also make their home within this national park.
Totaling more than 400 thousand hectares, the park forms the largest protected swamp forest in South East Asia. The ecosystems consist of dry land, swamp, heath, mangrove and coastal forest. In 1977, the park is declared as UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Today, illegal mining, illegal logging and land conversion have damaged 40% of the total area of the park.
Kutai National Park
