Exploring and Experiencing the Unique Ecotourism of Kalimantan's National Parks
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| A piece of the beauty and charm of Kayan Mentarang National Park: A global treasure, not just for locals. Photo credit: Heppy Ramat. |
Kalimantan isn't just a source of natural resources, but also a source of its people who deeply understand that forests are part of life.
This is one of the glimpses of the authenticity and sustainability of nature in Borneo, the lungs of the world.
There are 8 National Parks in Kalimantan, the 3rd largest island in the world with an area of 544,150 square kilometers.
8 National Parks in Kalimantan
Have you ever been there? If not, here's a brief overview of the National Parks that serve as the "lungs of the world".
- Taman Nasional Gunung Palung is situated in West Kalimantan Province, covering an area of 90,000 hectares, consisting of mangrove forests, swamp forests, freshwater swamp forests, and mountain forests. Its flora includes meranti, ironwood, keruing, and ramin, while its fauna comprises orangutans, deer, and jungle fowl.
- Tanjung Puting National Park is located in the southern part of Central Kalimantan Province, covering 173,330 hectares of lowland tropical rainforest, dryland forests, freshwater swamp forests, mangrove forests, coastal forests, and secondary forests. Its flora consists of jelutung, ramin, meranti, and ironwood, while its fauna includes orangutans, sun bears, clouded leopards, and estuarine crocodiles.
- Bukit Baka-Bukit Raya National Park is situated on the Swener and Muller mountains, bordering West Kalimantan and Central Kalimantan Provinces. It spans 181,090 hectares, comprising tropical rainforests and mountain forests. Its flora includes jelutung, ramin, meranti, ironwood, orchids, rattan, and palms, while its fauna consists of deer, proboscis monkeys, sun bears, jungle fowl, deer, and Sumatran rhinoceroses.
- Betung Karimun National Park is located in West Kalimantan, covering 800,000 hectares of lowland and highland forests. Its flora includes jelutung, pandanus, mountain pine, and agarwood, while its fauna comprises orangutans, deer, and hornbills.
- Kayan Mentarang National Park is situated in North Kalimantan Province, covering 1,360,900 hectares of lowland and mountain forests shrouded in thick fog. Its flora includes jelutung, meranti, ironwood, and agarwood, while its fauna consists of orangutans, proboscis monkeys, deer, Kalimantan elephants, clouded leopards, and jungle fowl.
- Danau Sentarum National Park is located in West Kalimantan Province, covering 102,000 hectares around Lake Sentarum from Sanggau district to the Sarawak, Malaysia border. Its flora includes jelutung, ferns, and swamp plants, while its fauna comprises arowanas, muntjacs, and various bird species.
- Kutai National Park is situated in Kutai district, East Kalimantan Province, covering 198,629 hectares across Kutai Timur, Kutai Kartanegara, and Bontang, comprising lowland to highland tropical forests. Its flora includes mangroves, mangroves, jelutung, agarwood, and ironwood, while its fauna consists of orangutans, proboscis monkeys, sun bears, clouded leopards, golden deer, Irrawaddy dolphins, and estuarine crocodiles.
- Sebangau National Park is located in Central Kalimantan, covering 568,700 hectares across Katingan, Palang Pisau, and Palangkaraya districts. Its flora includes ramin, meranti, jelutung, dragon's blood, and various orchids, while its fauna comprises orangutans, hornbills, proboscis monkeys, sun bears, clouded leopards, gibbons, long-tailed monkeys, and estuarine crocodiles.
The National Parks in Kalimantan serve as the lungs of the world, playing a crucial role in maintaining global environmental balance.
These protected areas are not just invaluable assets for the local communities of Kalimantan and Indonesia; they hold significance on a global scale.
The National Parks in Kalimantan are not just local treasures
The lush rainforests and diverse ecosystems within these parks act as vital carbon sinks, absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and releasing oxygen, thus contributing significantly to mitigating climate change.
As the world grapples with environmental challenges, preserving these biodiverse havens becomes increasingly essential for the health of our planet.
These national parks in Kalimantan are home to numerous endemic species found nowhere else on Earth.
By safeguarding these habitats, we not only protect the rich biodiversity of Kalimantan but also safeguard the genetic diversity crucial for the resilience of global ecosystems.
These parks serve as living laboratories for scientific research, offering insights into evolutionary processes and providing valuable data for conservation efforts worldwide.
The cultural and spiritual significance
The cultural and spiritual significance of these parks is profound. They hold deep cultural and traditional values for the indigenous communities of Kalimantan, serving as sources of sustenance, medicine, and spiritual connection. Preserving these areas not only protects biodiversity but also respects and honors the heritage and rights of indigenous peoples.
The National Parks in Kalimantan are not just local treasures. They are global assets that demand our collective stewardship and protection.
Recognizing their importance transcends borders, calling for concerted efforts from governments, conservation organizations, and individuals worldwide to ensure their preservation for future generations.
Therefore, many eyes are focused on Kalimantan as a source and reserve of the "breath" of the inhabitants of the planet Earth, whose forest reserves are increasingly threatened day by day.
-- Rangkaya Bada
