Berbak National Park

Berbak National Park forms a nature conservation area for the largest unexploited swamp forest in southeastern Asia. The uniqueness of the Park lies in its attractive combination of peat swamp forest and freshwater swamp forest which stretches along the east coast of Sumatra.

Plant species in the Park include meranti (Shorea sp.) and various species of palm. The Park in fact boasts the largest number of ornamental palm species in Indonesia. Of these, a number are categorized as endangered, including daun payung (Johanesteijmannia altifrons), and a newly found species, Lepidonia kingii (Lorantaceae family) which has a large, red/violet flower.

Berbak National Park is also a habitat for the Sumatran rhinoceros (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis sumatrensis), Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae), Malayan tapir (Tapirus indicus), lesser Malay mouse deer (Tragulus javanicus kanchil), 300 bird species including Chinese egret (Egretta eulophotes), lesser adjutant stork (Leptoptilos javanicus), all species of kingfisher (Alcedinidae spp.), white-winged wood duck (Cairina scutulata), Malayan giant turtle (Orlitia borneensis), and batagur turtle (Batagur baska).

Hundreds, even thousands of migrant birds can be seen in this Park, making an amazing sight when they are flying through the air in a flock.

The western entrance gate of the Park can be reached from the Air Hitam Dalam (deep black water) river, so-called because of the water's coffee-like colour. At low tide, animal faeces, fallen leaves and so on from within the mangrove forests are carried by this river into the Batanghari river that eventually flows into the sea.

Berbak National Park is not only protected at a national level but has also been declared an International Wetland Site under the Ramsar Convention in 1992.

Interesting locations/attractions:

Air Hitam Dalam: observing plant and animal life from the river. The Air Hitam Dalam river forms a habitat for Sumatran tigers.
Simpang Kubu: conducting research or exploring the forest, and observing plants and animals.
Air Hitam Laut: conducting research or exploring the forest, and observing plants and animals.

Cultural attractions outside the Park include the Culture Parade on the Batanghari river at Muara Bulian, Jambi, each April.

Best time of year to visit: March to November.

How to reach the Park: from Jambi, by speed boat along the Batanghari river, then turn right along the Air Hitam Dalam river, about 2.5-3 hrs, or directly to Nipah Panjang, about 4'5 hours. From Nipah Panjang, head for Air Hitam Laut village, 5'8 hours via the South China Sea (the journey time depends on wave conditions).





Office: Jl. Arif Rahman Hakim 10C
2nd Floor, Jambi 36124
Tel./Fax. : +62-741-667983
E-mail: berbak@ja.mweb.co.id

Designated Minister of Forestry, SK No. 285/Kpts-II/1992,
a total area of 162,700 hectares
Location Regency of Tanjung Jabung (Province of Jambi)

Temperature 25° - 28° C
Rainfall 2,300 mm/year (on average)
Altitude 0 - 20 m asl.
Geographical location 104°05' - 104°26' E; 1°08' - 1°43' S

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Bukit Dua Belas National Park

Bukit Duabelas National Park is representative of lowland tropical rain forests in the province of Jambi. In the past, the forest area functioned as a permanent production forest, limited production forest and other forest land uses which were later merged to become the National Park. The remaining natural forest is situated in the northern part of the park, while the rest comprises secondary forest.

Plant species in the Park include bulian (Eusideroxylon zwageri), meranti (Shorea sp.), menggiris/kempas (Koompassia excelsa), jelutung (Dyera costulata), damar (Agathis sp.), jernang (Daemonorops draco), and rattan (Calamus sp.). There are about 120 species of plant, including fungi, which could be developed as medicinal plants.

This Park forms a habitat for endangered and protected animals like siamang (Hylobates syndactylus syndactylus), clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa diardi), lesser Malay mouse deer (Tragulus javanicus kanchil), sun bear (Helarctos malayanus malayanus), barking deer (Muntiacus muntjak montanus), leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis sumatrana), hairy-nosed otter (Lutra sumatrana), Asian wild dog (Cuon alpinus sumatrensis), Sumatran rabbit (Nesolagus netscheri), crested serpent eagle (Spilornis cheela malayensis), etc.

Owing to the existence of so many rivers and tributaries (appearing on the map like root fibres) which drain from within the Park area, Bukit Duabelas National Park is an important water catchment area for the Batanghari watershed.

The topography of the Park varies from flat to slightly hilly with a few higher hills like Suban, Punai (" 164 m asl.), Panggang (" 328 m asl.), and Kuran (" 438 m asl.).

The indigenous people of the Anak Dalam tribe (Orang Rimba) have been dwelling in the forest area of the Park for many years. They use the forest as a place to roam where they can interact with the nature, maintaining a symbiotic relationship with the forest. To meet their daily needs, the indigenous people hunt pigs, fish, collect honey, and tap the sap from rubber trees for sale.

As for modern conveniences, most of the Anak Dalam use only wristwatches and battery-operated radios. Other than that, their simple way of life remains more or less intact. At night, they use resin torches as a source of light. The Anak Dalam community needs to be empowered so that they can benefit from improved knowledge and welfare, but this should not be at the cost of contaminating their culture.

The Bukit Duabelas area has only recently been declared by the Minister of Forestry and Estate Crops as a National Park, and as such has relatively few facilities for visitors.

Best time of year to visit: June to October.

How to reach the Park: Jambi-Pauh via Muara Bulian, about 3 hours by bus; Pauh-Lubuk Jering and Pematang Kabau, about 2 hours by chartered car.

Designated : Minister of Forestry and Estate Crops,
SK.No. 258/Kpts-II/2000, a total area of 60,500 hectares
Location : Regencies; Sarolangun Bangko, Bungo Tebo, and Batanghari (Province of Jambi)

Temperature 28° - 36° C
Rainfall 1,500 mm/year (on average)
Altitude 50 - 400 m asl.
Geographical location 102°29' - 102°49' E; 1°44' - 1°58' S


Office: Jl. Arif Rachman Hakim 10, Jambi 36124
Tel. : +62-741-667983

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Bukit Tiga Puluh National Park

Bukit Tigapuluh National Park forms part of a mountain chain that has a potential diversity of endemic plants and animal species of high value.

Ecosystem types within the forest area of the Park include lowland and highland forest types with flora such as jelutung (Dyera costulata), getah merah (Palaquium spp.), pulai (Alstonia scholaris), kempas (Koompassia excelsa), rumbai (Shorea spp.), cendawan muka rimau (Rafflesia hasseltii), jernang or palem darah naga (Daemonorops draco) and various kinds of rattan.

Bukit Tigapuluh National Park has 59 species of mammal, 6 species of primate, 151 species of bird, 18 species of bat and various species of butterfly.

Not only it is a habitat of Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae), Malayan tapir (Tapirus indicus), agile gibbon (Hylobates agilis), sun bear (Helarctos malayanus malayanus), crested fireback (Lophura ignita), orange-bellied flowerpecker (Dicaeum trigonostigma), great argus pheasant (Argusianus argus argus), etc., the Park also protects the hydrology of the Kuantan Indragiri watershed.

Initially, the Park area consisted of protected forest and limited production forest. In spite of this, the Park's forest areas are still in a relatively natural condition.

The communities living around the Park comprise several tribes with relatively intact traditions and cultures, namely the Anak Dalam and Talang Mamak. The Talang Mamak community, in particular, believes that the hills and plants in this area wield a magical power over their lives. Such a perception implies that they are actively participating in guarding and protecting the hills and plants of this Park.

Interesting locations/attractions:
Puputan Keling : beautiful views, and good for observing animals and plants.
Pintu Tujuh: caving.
Tembelung Berasap: waterfalls, bathing, and observing plants.
Batu Belipat and Batu Gatal: cultural interest. Rafting is possible along the Gangsal, Menggatai and Sipang rivers.
Kemantan: the ritual ceremonies of the Talang Mamak tribe.

Cultural attractions outside the Park include Siak Bermandah in June and Pacu Jalur in August, both held in Riau.

Best time of year to visit: March to July.
How to reach the Park: Pakanbaru-Siberida, about 4 hours by car (285 km), followed by walking along HPH (forest concession) roads.
Hutan Taman Nasional Bukit Tigapuluh
Office: Jl. Raya Rengat 70, Pematang Reba
Rengat Indragiri Hulu, Riau
Tel. : +62-769-341279
Fax. : +62-769-341148
Designated : Minister of Forestry, SK No. 6407/Kpts-II/2002,
a total area of 144,223 hectares
Location : Regencies; Indragiri Hulu and Indragiri Hilir (Province of Riau)
Regencies ; Bungo Tebo and Tanjung Jabung (Province of Jambi)

Temperature 28° - 37° C
Rainfall 1,600 mm/year (on average)
Altitude 60 - 734 m asl.
Geographical location 102°13' - 102°45' E; 0°40' - 1°30' S

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