Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park

Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park forms part of the Bukit Barisan mountain chain and comprises mangrove forest, coastal forest, lowland tropical forest, and montane forest.

Among the plant species that can be found in the Park are pidada (Sonneratia sp.), nipah (Nypa fruticans), cemara laut (Casuarina equisetifolia), pandan (Pandanus sp.), cempaka (Michelia champaka), meranti (Shorea sp.), mersawa (Anisoptera curtisii), ramin (Gonystylus bancanus), keruing (Dipterocarpus sp.), damar (Agathis sp.), rattan (Calamus sp.), and rafflesia flower (Rafflesia arnorldi).

Characteristic of the Park are tall carrion flower (Amorphophallus decus-silvae), which can reach a height of more than 2 metres, giant carrion flower (A. titanum), and giant orchid/sugarcane (Grammatophylum speciosum).

Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park is a natural habitat for sun bear (Helarctos malayanus malayanus), Sumatran rhinoceros (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis sumatrensis), Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae), Asian elephant (Elephas maximus sumatranus), Malayan tapir (Tapirus indicus), black-handed gibbon (Hylobates agilis), siamang (H. syndactylus syndactylus), mitred leaf monkey (Presbytis melalophos fuscamurina), lesser Malay mouse deer (Tragulus javanicus kanchil), and hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata).

Menjukut Lake, looking like a vast pool close to the shore, actually borders on the Indian Ocean.
Interesting locations/attractions:

Tampang, Blubuk, Menjukut Lake, Way Sleman, Blimbing: exploring the forest, marine tours, swimming, boating, observing plants (rafflesia, carrion flower), camping, and kayaking/canoeing.
Sukaraja Atas: exploring the forest, camping, observing plants and animals (especially the tall carrion flower).
Suwoh: boating, swimming, enjoying thermal springs, exploring the forest and camping.
Kubu Perahu: exploring the forest, waterfalls, observing plants and animals, and camping.

Cultural attractions outside the Park include the Krakatau Festival in July in Bandar Lampung and the Lake Ranau Festival in December in Oku, South Sumatra.

Best time of year to visit: January to August.

How to reach the Park: Teluk Betung-Tanjung Karang-Kota Agung-Tampang by motor boat, Kota Agung-Tampang by motor boat, about 6 hours; Kota Agung-Banjarnegoro-Sukaraja Atas/Suwoh, about 4 hours by bus; and Kota Agung-Kubu Perahu, about 7 hours by car.


Office: Jl. Ir. H. Juanda 19, Tanggamus
Kota Agung, Lampung 35751
Tel. : +62-722- 21064

Declared : Minister of Agriculture, in 1982,
a total area of 365,000 hectares
Designated : Minister of Forestry, SK No. 416/Kpts-II/1999,
a total area of 365,000 hectares
Location : Regencies; Tanggamus, West Lampung (Province of Lampung)
Regency of South Bengkulu (Province of Bengkulu)

Temperature 20° - 28° C
Rainfall 1,000 - 4,000 mm/year
Altitude 0 - 1,964 m asl.
Geographical location 103°23' - 104°43' E; 4°33' - 5°57' S