Manupeu Tanah Daru National Park
Manupeu-Tanah Daru National Park covers some of the last
remaining lowland monsoon forest in Sumba. Most of the forest areas
of this Park are on steep slopes which rise from sea level up to a
height of 600 metres.
This Park has a high species diversity, with some 118 species of
plant including suren (Toona sureni), taduk (Sterculia foetida),
kesambi (Schleichera oleosa), pulai (Alstonia scholaris), tamarind (Tamarindus
indica), kemiri (Aleurites moluccana), jambu hutan (Syzygium sp.),
cemara gunung (Casuarina sp.), and lantana (Lantana camara).
There are 87 species of bird, including seven endemic species like
the yellow-crested cockatoo (Cacatua sulphurea citrinocristata),
Sumba hornbill (Rhyticeros everetti), Sumba green pigeon (Treron
teysmannii), Sumba flycatcher (Ficedula harterti), Sumba cicada bird
(Coracina dohertyi), and apricot-breasted sunbird (Nectarinia
buettikoferi). The Sumba hornbill and the yellow-crested cockatoo
are the rarest and are threatened almost to the point of extinction.
In addition, there are about 57 species of butterfly, including
seven endemic species like Papilio neumoegenii, Ideopsis oberthurii,
Delias fasciata, Junonia adulatrix, Athyma karita, Sumalia chilo,
and Elimnias amoena.
Manupeu-Tanah Daru has only recently been declared as a National
Park, and as such has limited facilities for visitors. The only
available facility is still in the form of a homestay which is
managed by the local community. Most visitors to the Park come for
recreation after touring the cultural attractions on the island of
Sumba.
Interesting locations/attractions:
Matayangu waterfall: 40 metres high, this waterfall is located in
Waimanu Village and attracts a lot for visitors.
Cultural attractions in Sumba include the following:Waikabubak:
located close to the Park, this area has many ancient carved graves.
The graves are a symbol of the social status and health of the local
community (Kadung Tana, Watu Karagata, and Bulu Peka Mila). Lemboya,
Kodi-Gaura and Wanukaka: the religious attraction of Pasola is both
fascinating and nail-biting to watch: several people riding
colorfully decorated horses, trying to unseat each other at high
speed. The attraction is held in Lamboya and Kodi in February, and
in March in Gaura and Wanukaka.
Best time of year to visit: March to June, and October to December.
How to reach the Park: Kupang-Waingapu, about one hour by plane, and
then Waingapu-Lewa-Waikabubak by car, about two hours; then proceed
to the Park
(Langgaliru, Katiku Loku and Watumbelar Villages).
Designated : Minister of Forestry, SK.No. 576/Kpts-II/98,
a total area of 87,984.09 hectares
Location : Regencies; West Sumba and East Sumba (Province of East
Nusa Tenggara)
Temperature 25° - 32°C
Rainfall 2,000 mm/year (on average)
Altitude 0 - 600 m asl.
Geographical location 119°29' - 119°53' E; 9°35' - 9°53' S
Park Office: Jl. Perintis Kemerdekaan, PO Box 1014
Kupang 85228, East Nusa Tenggara
Tel. : +62-380-832211
Related resources
National park in Bali and Nusa Tenggara:
- National Parks in Indonesia
- Bali Barat National Park - Cekik, Gilimanuk
- Gunung Rinjani National Park - Lombok Island
- Komodo National Park - Flores Island
- Laiwangi Wanggameti National Park - Sumba Island
- Kelimutu National Park - Flores
