Kayan Mentarang National Park

Kayan Mentarang National Park, with a total area of 1,360,500 hectares, forms the largest single area of primary and old secondary forest not only in Kalimantan but in the whole of southeast Asia.

This Park has an astonishing diversity of plant and animal species, many of which are either endangered or protected, a huge diversity of ecosystem types, from lowland rain forest to moss-covered forest in the high mountains.

Some plants that have already been recorded in the Park include pulai (Alstonia scholaris), jelutung (Dyera costulata), ramin (Gonystylus bancanus), damar (Agathis borneensis), kayu ulin (Eusideroxylon zwageri), rengas (Gluta wallichii), gaharu (Aquilaria malacensis), various orchid species, palm trees and pitcher plants. There are still several plants that have not yet been identified as they are all new plant species in Indonesia.

There are about 100 species of mammal (15 of them are endemic species), eight species of primate and more than 310 species of bird, of which 28 are endemic to Kalimantan and have been registered by the ICBP (International Committee for Bird Protection) as endangered species.

There are several rare species of mammal, like the clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa), sun bear (Helarctos malayanus euryspilus), Hoss leaf monkey (Presbytis hosei canicrus), white-fronted leaf monkey (P. frontata frontata),pig-tailed macaque (Macaca nemestrina nemestrina), and banteng (Bos javanicus lowi).

Kayan Mentarang National Park and Betung Kerihun National Park both directly border upon Sarawak, Malaysia.

Rivers such as the Bahau, Kayan and Mentarang are used as transport routes into the Park. Along the journey, visitors can not only catch glimpses of various animals around the river, they also experience at first-hand the agility of a longboat in navigating the rapids or struggling against swift currents.

The 20,000-25,000 people living around the Park area, representing various Dayak tribes, e.g the Kenyah, Punan, Lun Daye and Lun Bawang, have a vast store of wisdom that is very much in line with the principles of conservation. Since it plays an important part in their daily lives, the local people are skilled at conserving the biodiversity that surrounds them. Several varieties of rice, for instance, are cultivated and harvested in ways that can support the needs of the community.

Archaeological remains in the form of ancient graves and stone tools are found in many parts of the Park, indicating that the area has been inhabited for at least the last 350 years. It is considered to be one of the most important archaeological sites in Kalimantan.

This high biodiversity and the pristine condition of the area poses a challenge for researchers to discover new species and develop the benefits that can be derived from them. For adventurers and tourists, there is the challenge of discovering for themselves the natural beauty of the forest, with its rivers and steep cliffs, and learning more about the fascinating Dayak culture.

Best time of year to visit: September to December.

How to reach the Park: from Samarinda to Tarakan by plane, about 1 hour; then from Tarakan to the Park by speedboat along the Mentarang river. This takes from 6 hours to one day.

Office: Jl. MT Haryono Samarinda, East Kalimantan
Tel./Fax. : +62-541-743556
E-mail: bksdakaltim@yahoo.com

Designated : Minister of Forestry, SK No .631/Kpts-II/96,
a total area of 1,360,500 hectares
Location : Regency of Bulungan (Province of East Kalimantan)

Temperature 16° - 30° C
Rainfall 3,100 mm/annual (on average)
Altitude 200 - 2,558 m asl.
Geographical location 114°49' - 116°16' E; 1°59' - 4°24' N

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Kutai National Park

Kutai National Park represents a number of principal vegetation types, including coastal/mangrove forest, freshwater swamp forest, kerangas forest, lowland flooding forest, ulin/meranti/kapur forest, and mixed Dipterocarpaceae forest. This Park is also part of the largest relatively pristine ulin forest in Indonesia.

Among the plants that grow in this Park are mangrove (Bruguiera sp.), cemara laut (Casuarina equisetifolia), simpur (Dillenia sp.), meranti (Shorea sp.), benuang (Octomeles sumatrana), ulin (Eusideroxylon zwageri), kapur (Dryobalanops sp.), 3 species of rafflesia, and various orchid species.

An ulin tree in Sangkimah has a height without branches of 45 m, a diameter of 225 cm or a circle of 706 cm, and a volume of 150 m3. It is the highest and largest plant recorded in Indonesia.
As well as a variety of plants, this Park also has a high animal diversity. Primate groups like orangutan (Pongo satyrus), Mueller's Bornean grey gibbon (Hylobates muelleri), proboscis monkey (Nasalis larvatus), long-tailed macaque (Macaca fascicularis fascicularis), maroon leaf monkey (Presbytis rubicunda rubicunda), white-fronted leaf monkey (P. frontata frontata), pig-tailed macaque (Macaca nemestrina nemestrina), and slow loris (Nycticebus coucang borneanus) can be found in Teluk Kaba, Prevab-Mentoko and Sangkimah. Ungulate groups like banteng (Bos javanicus lowi), sambar deer (Cervus unicolor brokei), barking deer (Muntiacus muntjak pleiharicus), and lesser Malay mouse deer (Tragulus javanicus klossi) can be found throughout the Park area.

Carnivore groups such as sun bear (Helarctos malayanus euryspilus) and flat-headed cat (Pardofelis planiceps) can be found in Teluk Kaba, Prevab-Mentoko and along the Bontang-Sangatta road.

Fowl groups that can be seen include the lesser adjutant stork (Leptoptilos javanicus), white-bellied sea eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster), green imperial pigeon (Ducula aenea), junglefowl (Gallus sp.), hill myna (Gracula religiosa), and oriental darter (Anhinga melanogaster melanogaster).

Teluk Kaba in Kutai National Park is the location of the nation's third orangutan rehabilitation centre.

Black Orchid

Black Orchid

Kutai National Park collaborates with "Friends of Kutai" like PT. Kaltim Prima Coal, PT. Pupuk Kaltim, PT. Badak LNG, Pertamina, some of the surrounding forest concessionaires (HPH), and others, who not only provide financial assistance but are also actively involved in nature conservation and the management of the Park.

Interesting locations/attractions:

Kaba Bay and Muara Sangkimah: marine tourism and observing animals, especially orangutans, proboscis monkeys, sambar deer, lesser mouse deer, sun bears, and birds.
Lombok Bay and Muara Sungai Sangatta: marine tours and observation of original mangrove forest.
Prevab-Mentoko: research; watching animals such as sun bears, orangutans, lesser mouse deer , and wild pigs.
Goa Lobang Angin: caving.

One of the cultural attractions outside the Park area is the Erau Festival, held in September in Tenggarong.

Best time of year to visit: April to October.

How to reach the Park: Balikpapan-Samarinda by car, 2.5 hours, then Samarinda-Bontang by car, 3 hours, and Bontang-Teluk Kaba by speedboat, about 30 minutes. The main Bontang-Sangatta road passes through the Park area.

Declared Minister of Agriculture, SK No. 736/Mentan /X/82,
a total area of 200,000 hectares
Designated Minister of Forestry, SK. No. 325/Kpts-II/95,
a total area of 198,629 hectares
Location Regency of Kutai (Province of East Kalimantan)

Temperature 27° - 33° C
Rainfall 1,543 mm/annual (on average)
Altitude 0 - 397 m asl.
Geographical location 116°58' - 117°36' E; 0°08' - 0°34' N



Office: Jl. Awang Long, Tromol Pos 1 Bontang 75311, East Kalimantan
Tel. : +62-548-27218
Fax. : +62-548- 22946
E-mail: btnkutai@plasa.com
Web site: http://www.tn.kutai.or.id

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Tanjung Puting National Park

Tanjung Puting National Park has several ecosystem types: lowland tropical rain forest, dryland forest, freshwater swamp forest, mangrove forest, coastal forest, and secondary forest.

The Park is dominated by lowland forest plants like jelutung (Dyera costulata), ramin (Gonystylus bancanus), meranti (Shorea sp.), keruing (Dipterocarpus sp.), and rattans.

Endangered and protected species of animal inhabiting the Park include the orangutan (Pongo satyrus), proboscis monkey (Nasalis larvatus), maroon leaf monkey (Presbytis rubicunda rubida), sun bear (Helarctos malayanus euryspilus), lesser Malay mouse deer (Tragulus javanicus klossii), clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa), and leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis borneoensis).

This Park was the first place in Indonesia to become a rehabilitation centre for orangutans. There are now three orangutan rehabilitation locations, Tanjung Harapan, Pondok Tanggui, and Camp Leakey.

The orangutan of Kalimantan has dark reddish fur and no tail. As they get older, the adult males cheeks flesh out, resembling cushions. The older they get, the bigger these cheek flanges grow, giving them a fierce look.

UNESCO has declared Tanjung Puting National Park as a Biosphere Reserve, and it is also a Sister Park to Taman Negara Malaysia under a cooperation agreement between Indonesia and Malaysia.

Anak Orangutan

Interesting locations/attractions:

Tanjung Harapan: this is the first station in the orangutan rehabilitation process. Situated in the midst of secondary forest and swamp forest, it has a guesthouse, an information centre, and trails.
Pondok Tanggui: orangutans that have passed the semi-wild phase are moved to Pondok Tanggui. There, they are closely monitored from a distance, and human contact is avoided.
Camp Leakey: founded in 1971 in the middle of primary forest, this is the location for semi-wild and wild orangutans, and for younger orangutans from birth until three years of age.
Natai Lengkuas: bekantan research station, and watching other animals along the river.
Buluh River and Danau Burung (Bird Lake): watching birds, in particular migrant species.

Among the cultural attractions outside the Park is a traditional rowing contest held in Pangkalan Bun in May.

Best time of year to visit: June to September.

How to reach the Park: Jakarta-Semarang-Pangkalan Bun by plane, or from Semarang to Pangkalan Bun by ship. Pangkalan Bun-Kumai by car (8 km). Then, Kumai-Tanjung Harapan by motorized longboat, 1.5-2 hours; or Kumai-Natai Lengkuas, 4-5 hours; Kumai-Tanjung Harapan by fast motor boat, 0.5-1 hour; Kumai-Camp Leakey, 1.5-2 hours; or from Kumai-Natai Lengkuas, 1.5-2 hours.



Office: Jl. HM Rafii Km 2
Pangkalan Bun, Kotawaringan Central Kalimantan
Tel./Fax. : +62-532-23832
Orangutan di Camp Leakey

Declared Minister of Agriculture, in 1982,
a total area of 300,000 hectares
Designated Minister of Forestry SK No. 587/Kpts-II/96,
a total area of 415,040 hectares
Location Regency of Kotawaringin (Province of Central Kalimantan)

Temperature 22° - 33° C
Rainfall 2,400 mm/annual (on average)
Altitude 0 - 100 m asl.
Geographical location 111°42' - 112°14' E; 2°33' - 3°32' S

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Baka-Bukit Raya National Park

The forest areas of Bukit Baka-Bukit Raya National Park are dominated by the peaks of the Schwaner range. This forms a mountainous tropical rain forest ecosystem with a relatively high humidity (86%).

Eight hundred and seventeen species of plant have been recorded, belonging to 139 families including Dipterocarpaceae, Myrtaceae, Sapotaceae, Euphorbiaceae and Ericadeae. Also to be found are medicinal plants and plants used for handicrafts, tools and construction materials, and consumption, and various species of forest orchid. There is also the rafflesia (Rafflesia sp.), a giant flower parasite which is assumed to be similar to those growing on Mt. Kinabalu, Malaysia. Among the endemic species are Symplocos rayae, Gluta sabahana, Dillenia beccariana, Lithocarpus coopertus, Sellaginnela magnifica, and Tetracera glaberrima.

The mammals that inhabit this Park include clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa), orangutan (Pongo satyrus), sun bear (Helarctos malayanus euryspilus), maroon leaf monkey (Presbytis rubicunda rubicunda), slow loris (Nyticebus coucang borneanus), deer (Cervus unicolor brookei), spotted giant flying squirrel (Petaurista elegants banksi), and spotted civet (Visvessa tangalunga).

Among the bird species are the helmeted hornbill (Rhinoplax vigil), rhinoceros hornbill (Buceros rhinoceros borneoensis), black hornbill (Anthracoceros malayanus), emerald dove (Chalcophaps indica), little cuckoo dove (Macropygia ruficeps), great argus (Argusianus argus grayi), and the Bornean peacock pheasant (Polyplectron schleiermacheri). This is both one of the most elusive pheasants in the world and among the most threatened by human activities.

Rare and unique species of mammal and reptile in the Park include the horned frog (Megophyrs nasuta), green monitor lizard (Varanus prasinus), and bengkarung (Mabouya sp.).

The indigenous people living around the National Park are mostly descended from Dayak tribes like the Limbai, Ransa, Kenyilu, Ot Danum, Malahui, Kahoi, and Kahayan. Of great cultural interest are ancient statues made of belian wood, artworks and other items made of rattan, bamboo and pandan, and ritual ceremonies.

Interesting locations/attractions:

Bukit Baka (Baka Hill): climbing, kayaking/canoeing and observing animals and plants. This hill has an altitude of 1,620 m asl. The peak, with an average temperature of 15°- 20° C, is often shrouded in mist. The peak of Bukit Baka can be reached within seven hours from village of Nanga Juoi in Manukung sub-district.
Bukit Raya: climbing, kayaking/canoeing, observing animals and plants, and cultural tourism. Bukit Raya has an altitude of 2,278 m asl. with a temperature of 7°-10° C at the peak. From the villages of Nanga Jelundung, Rumokoy, Mihipit, Hulu Labang or Birang Merabai, the peak of Bukit Raya can be reached within 3-4 days.
Senamang River, Sepan Apui: rafting, thermal springs, observing animals and plants.
Ella River: waterfalls.

Outside the Park area:

Kaburai: Forestry Training and Research Centre.
Tumbang Gagu: traditional Dayak longhouses (betang).

Best time of year to visit: June to September.

How to reach the Park: Pontianak-Sintang-Nanga Pinoh by four wheel drive, 9 hours (460 km); then proceed to Nanga Nuak by speedboat, 2.5 hours. The journey from Nanga Nuak to the Park can be covered within 2 hours by four wheel drive. Alternatively, Palangkaraya-Kasongan by four wheel drive, then to Tumbang Samba by speedboat, 3 hours; from Tumbang Samba by speedboat to Tumbang Hiran, 3 hours, then another 4 hours to the Park.

Designated Minister of Forestry, SK No. 281/Kpts-II/92,
a total area of 181,090 hectares
Location Regency of Sintang (Province of West Kalimantan),
and Regency of Kotawaringin Timur (Province of Central Kalimantan)

Temperature 7° - 32° C
Rainfall 3,400 mm/year (on average)
Altitude 150 - 2,278 m asl.
Geographical location 112°15' - 112°60' E; 0°30' - 0°65' S

Office: Jl. Dr. Wahidin 75
Sintang 78611, West Kalimantan
Tel. /Fax. : +62-565-23521
E-mail: tnbbbr@plasa.com

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Betung Kerihun National Park

Topographically, Betung Kerihun National Park is hilly. The Muller range which connects Mt. Betung and Mt. Kerihun also forms the border between Indonesia and Serawak, Malaysia.

Small streams flow from the foothills of the Muller mountains to form the Kapuas, Sibau, Mendalam, Bungan and Embaloh Watersheds. The Park can only be reached via these rivers.

The Park has eight types of forest ecosystem such as lowland forest, old secondary forest, Dipterocarpus, sub-montane and montane forest, with a high value plant diversity of 1,216 species consisting of 418 genera and 110 families (75% endemic to Kalimantan). Fourteen species are "new records" in Indonesia, like Musa lawitiensis, Neouvaria acuminatissima, Castanopsis inermis, Lithocarpus philippinensis, Chisocheton cauliflorus, Syzygium spicata, and Shorea peltata; and 13 species of palm which are "new records" in Kalimantan, such as Pinanga bifidovariegata and Ixora sp.

There are some 48 species of mammal, including seven primate species such as the maroon leaf monkey (Presbytis rubicunda rubicunda), orangutan (Pongo satyrus), Mueller's Bornean grey gibbon (Hylobates muelleri), white-fronted leaf monkey (Presbytis frontata frontata), and banded leaf monkey (P. femoralis chrysomelas); 301 species of bird, 51 species of amphibian, 52 species of reptile, 170 species of insect, and 112 species of fish.

The dominant and most commonly seen animals are orangutan (Pongo satyrus), sambar deer (Cervus unicolor brookei), western tarsier (Tarsius bancanus borneanus), Mueller's Bornean grey gibbon (Hylobates muelleri), maroon leaf monkey (Presbytis rubicunda rubicunda), sun bear (Helarctos malayanus euryspilus), hairy-nosed otter (Lutra sumatrana), and larger Malay mouse deer (Tragulus napu borneanus).

The most distinct species of bird in this Park are the wreathed hornbill (Aceros undulatus) and the helmeted hornbill (Rhinoplax vigil) which is the mascot of West Kalimantan.

The Park has been proposed as a Trans-Border Reserve together with Lantjak Entimau Wildlife Reserve in Serawak.

The potentially vast biodiversity riches of the Park pose a challenge to researchers to reveal them. But the Park also has several other attractions such as beautiful vistas over the forest crown which seems to go on forever; crystal-clear water flowing from waterfalls on the hilltops; birdcalls and the screeches and cries of various animals.
As with other inland people throughout much of Kalimantan, most of the people living around the Park are Dayak. Here, they belong to the Dayak Iban, Dayak Taman, and Dayak Bukat tribes. Many people are still adorned with tattoos in typical and very distinctive patterns.

Interesting locations/attractions:

The Muller Range: this forms part of the national border. Mt. Kerihun and Mt. Betung are good places for climbing.
Tekelan, Sibau, Mendalam, Embaloh, Kanyau rivers: kayaking/canoeing, observing animals and plants, and cultural tourism.
Riam Lapan and Riam Matahari: hardy souls can test their whitewater rafting skills on numerous rapids, rated at class III-IV in difficulty, climaxing at class V in Riam Matahari.
Sedik, Batang Pilung and Jaan rivers: waterfalls, observing animals and plants, and cultural tourism.
Tanjung Lokang: located in the western part of the Park, there are steep slopes and limestone caves suitable for caving. Also sites of cultural interest.

Best time of year to visit: September to December.

How to reach the Park: Pontianak-Putussibau by four wheel drive, about 18 hours; or by small plane (Cessna), about 2.5 hours. Then, from Putussibau along the Kapuas, Sibau and Mendalam rivers by semi-longboat, about 5 hours, or alternatively, from Putussibau up the Kapuas and Embaloh Hulu rivers by speed boat, about 3 hours; and then up the Embaloh Hulu river by semi-longboat, about 9 hours.

Office: Jl. Kom. Yos Sudarso 100
Putussibau 78711, West Kalimantan
Tel./Fax. : +62-567-21935
E-mail: tnbk@ptk.centrin.net.id

Designated : Minister of Forestry, SK.No.467/Kpts-II/95,
a total area of 800,000 hectares
Location : Regency of Kapuas Hulu (Province of West Kalimantan)

Temperature 21° - 28° C
Rainfall 2,800 - 5,500 mm/year
Altitude 150 - 2,000 m asl.
Geographical location 112°18' - 114°12' E; 0°35' - 1°34' N

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The Borneo Orangutan

Native to Indonesia and Malaysia, orangutans are currently found only in rainforests on the islands of Borneo and Sumatra, though fossils have been found in Java, Vietnam and China. Their name derives from the Malay and Indonesian phrase orang hutan, meaning "person of the forest".

Tanjung Puting National Park is one of the few remaining habitats for this endangered animal. Lots of tour operator of orangutan wildlife tour offers to visit this place. Tanjung Puting National Park is a 400,000 hectare conservation area of global importance. Within its borders are a variety of ecosystems, including tropical heath forest, peat swamp forest, and mangrove forest, and it is also the habitat of over 200 bird species, 17 reptile species and 29 mammal species. Nine of Borneo's primate species are found in the park, including about 2000 orangutans.

Adult male orangutan

And God bless the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation (BOS) for their continued good work to save the orangutan from extinction. BOS is responsible for numerous bold and forward-thinking initiatives. One such scheme has been the development of the 1,600-hectare Samboja Lestari Project. Since 2001, BOS Indonesia has been purchasing land for the reserve near the Wanariset Quarantine Station, a forestry research area, located 38 kilometers from Balikpapan, the capital of East Kalimantan. The aim of this reserve is to provide a safe haven for rehabilitated orangutans while at the same time providing a source of income for local people.

Much of the Samboja Lestari Project area has been devasted by logging and is now being re-vegetated with an estimated 1,000,000 trees already planted or needing to be planted. During this initial growth phase, local people are allowed to grow their own fruit crops among the newly planted trees. The crops also ensure the new trees are kept weed-free, until the trees are tall enough to cope with the irritating alang-alang grass. When this happens, this area will be left alone forever and the land will become a permanent wildlife nature reserve for free roaming 2,000 orangutans.

Samboja Lestari is a true win-win project where three parties, the sponsors in the West, the local people and of course, nature benefit. “In this way the people are given an alternative and so they do not need to destroy the forest any more. This means you can show the world that nature and people can live together and do not need to exclude one another” according to BOS founder Dr. Smits.

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Kakaban Lake Jellyfish

Kakaban Lake is located on the uninhabited island of Kakaban, which is part of the Derawan Island group in the Sulawesi sea. The lake was originally the lagoon of an atoll, formed by corals over a period of two million years. As a result of movements in the earth's crust the coral reef was raised above the sea level, trapping 5 km2 of seawater within a 50 meter high ridge, effectively creating a landlocked marine lake.

Where is Kakaban?

Lake Kakaban is located on the uninhabited island of Kakaban, which is part of the Derawan Island group in the Sulawesi sea. The lake was originally the lagoon of an atoll, formed by corals over a period of two million years. As a result of movements in the earth's crust the coral reef was raised above the sea level, trapping 5 km2 of seawater within a 50 meter high ridge, effectively creating a landlocked marine lake.

The lake is surrounded by a narrow mangrove belt and the entire island is covered with dense tropical vegetation. The coastline of Kakaban Island is encircled by a steeply sloping coral reef.

Why is Kakaban Lake unique?

The organisms found in the lake are originally seawater species such as marine algae, sea anemones, jellyfish, sponges, sea cucumbers, crabs, and several small fish species. Seawater, which seems to enter the lake through small cracks and crevices in the surrounding reef rock, is diluted with rain water, to produce a brackish water environment. Over thousands of years the inhabitants of the lake have adapted to their unusual environment. No large channels or connecting caves have been discovered, so no larger animals have been able to enter or leave the lake for thousands of years. Marine scientists are still trying to solve the mystery of how the isolated and fragile lake ecosystem supports the requirements of its plant and animal communities. Only one other similar lake ecosystem is known; it is found on Palau in Micronesia, about 1000 km east of the Philippines.

The plant and animal species of Kakaban Lake

About three species of the calcium carbonate-producing green alga, Halimeda, cover the bottom of the shallow areas of the lake. The roots of the surrounding mangrove belt provide a habitat for tunicates, sponges, tube worms, bivalves, crustaceans, sea anemones, sea cucumbers, several species of sea snakes, cardinal fish, and at least five known species of gobies. Four species of jellyfish (Cassiopeia ornata, Mastigias papua, Aurelia aurita and Tripedalia cystophora) are also found in Kakaban. Cassiopeia or the "Upside-down" jellyfish can be found lying on its back in shallow parts of the lake. This behavior exposes the jellyfish's symbiotic algae to the sunlight, and thus enable it to produce its food. A jellyfish-eating sea anemone is another interesting inhabitant of Kakaban Lake. This anemone has lost its symbiotic green algae, or zooxanthellae, so it appears white in color.

The benefits of eco-tourism

Kakaban Lake is a unique phenomenon and it attracts its share of eco-tourism. However, its tourism potential is relatively under-developed when compared with the situation in Palau. The 'Jellyfish Lakes' of Palau are visited by more than 30,000 people each year (this is double the population of the Palau islands). If Kakaban Lake could attract even 10 percent of this number of visitors, the revenue potential would be considerable. A visitor's fee of US$ 7.00 per person would bring in US$ 21,000 or 172 Million Rupiah per year. Transport, accommodation and other services would bring additional revenues.

Threats from tourism

While tourism offers opportunities for development in this remote area of Indonesia precautions must be taken to safeguard Kakaban Lake's unique environment. The dangers of unrestricted tourism are many: pollution, increased sedimentation and physical damage caused by the feet and hands of snorklers, habitat disturbances as a result of the use of outboard engines on the lake. An uncontrolled increase in visitor numbers without a code of conduct for sustainable tourism and without a zonation scheme for different lake areas is likely to result in physical damage, particularly in the shallow areas of the lake. Experiences in Palau show how fast such a negative impact can take place; excessive damage there led to a law forbidding the use of snorkeling fins in the lake. Recent tourism-related activities on Kakaban already provide several examples of such negative impacts:
Wood for planned cottages and 147 m of wooden walkways has apparently been cut in the Kakaban forest close to the lake.
Two boats, which will supposedly be powered by outboard engines, are being built on the island in order to take the tourists around the lake and to facilitate water supply of the resort.
According to unconfirmed reports up to 70 Hawksbill turtles have been released into the lake. They are no natural part of the lake ecosystem and may cause another threat for the fragile balance among the living organisms in the lake and to tourism, since the turtles feed on sponges and other invertebrates, which live attached to the mangrove roots and represent one of the major attractions for underwater photographers and snorklers.
The first signs of waste and litter can be found close to the walkway and in the "developed" area of the lake. The sewage and waste treatment of a proposed tourism facility would deserve special attention in order to avoid additional pollution of the lake.
An uncontrolled increase in visitor numbers without a sustainable code of conduct for sustainable tourism and without a zonation scheme for different lake areas will lead to a fast increase of physical damage to the unique animal and plant communities living in the shallow areas around the lake. Experiences made in Palau showed how fast such a negative impact can take place and led for example to a law against the use of snorkeling fins in the lake to decrease damage.

Solutions

With increasing tourist numbers, the potential negative impact on the lake ecosystem will become a major concern for the local government. In order to ensure sustainable use and long term profit, a well-implemented management plan for this national asset is of prior importance. If new tourism facilities are to be developed, an environmental impact assessment or "AMDAL" is of prior importance in order to determine likely impacts of resort development and construction.
Questions, such as carrying capacity, visitor quotas or zonation schemes may be addressed, before negative impacts become apparent.
A zoning plan would be an appropriate method to differentiate among areas, which may be allocated for tourism and tourism infrastructure, sustainable use by local communities, research and conservation.
The success of any management plan depends critically on the involvement of the local coastal communities, local NGOs, the private sector and scientists of Universitas Mulawarman in Samarinda in a multistakeholder planning process. The careful establishment of tourism facilities on the surrounding islands instead of on Kakaban and the development of a quota system for visitor numbers could ensure long term benefits to all stakeholders on regional, provincial, national and international levels

Kakaban lake Jellyfish

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Excotix Kakaban lake

Map of the northern part of Borneo (Sabah, Sarawak, East-Kalimantan)

Justly celebrated as a biological paradise, Kakaban Island (Pulau Kakaban) is a truly awe-inspiring place. Part of the Kepulauan Sangalaki Marine Wildlife Reserve off the coast of East Kalimantan, Kakaban is a coral atoll that was uplifted by geological forces thousands of years ago, turning the lagoon into a land-locked lake. The five-square-kilometer body of water, surrounded of the interior of the island. In the local dialect Kakaban means "hug" as the island hugs the lake from the surrounding sea-water.

Map of the dive islands of Sangalaki, Derawan, Nabucco, Manatua and Kakaban in the Berau Archipelago (East-Kalimantan, Borneo, Indonesia)

From the surface, Kakaban Lake (Danau Kakaban) looks like a typical freshwater lake, but below there is an abundance of colorful marine life. In fact, the lake is considered the world’s largest and most diverse jellyfish lake and includes at least four species of sting-less jellyfish. The mystery of how the lake’s plant and animal life were able to survive in this isolated system is a subject that marine scientists and geologist still argue about. The sea surrounding Kakaban Island is also home to large shoals of Barracuda as well as blue fined tunas and big sharks. You can do a drift dive but a grab line has been permanently secured at 24 m across a relatively flat area on the upcurrent side of the point. Currents can be fierce with down currents.

Blue light cave is for experienced divers since the exit is quite deep. The cave starts at a hole accessible at low tide on the top of the wall at 2 meters and descends through a narrow chimney. At about 21 meters the chimney opens into a large cavern with the bottom at 30 meters. Swimming along the ceiling of the cave for about 120m is also possible and as you approach the exit of the cave, the blue light of the sea can be seen. The exit is a long vertical crack in the wall and about 2 meters wide which lies at 44 meters, there is also another exit at 64 meters. The dive is finished on the wall.

The island is uninhabited except for fishermen who use the island as transit stop. However, Indonesia’s Ministry of marine & Fisheries is keen to encourage tourism development in the area; diving tourism being the most obvious segment to promote.

How to get there
To reach Kakaban island, you first take a plane from Balikpapan to Tg.Redep, the capital of Berau district, East Kalimantan. You can then take a speedboat to reach Kakaban island through Derawan and Sangkali islands in 20 to 30 minutes. Best months are April to December.

Island for let
A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity exists to invest in your own slice of paradise in the most culturally and ecologically diverse country in the world. Indonesia launched a pilot project to encourage investment involving 100 islands, including Kakaban, in the archipelago for lease periods of up to 85 years. Already 68 of the 100 islands have been catalogues, with the Ministry in the process of developing a price index, which includes accessibility to other countries, accessibility of the island itself, such as ports or landing strips, and then infrastructure, including availability of water. Investment in these small islands can take the following forms; mariculture, tourism, fishing, fresh water procurement, agriculture, animal husbandry, plantations and energy and mineral resources.

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