Baluran National Park
Baluran National Park has some of the few dryland ecosystem types
in Java, consisting of savanna. It also has mangrove forest, monsoon
forest, coastal forest, swamp forest, and evergreen forest.
About 40% of the Park area is dominated by savanna type vegetation.
There are 444 species of plant growing in this Park, including
curious and indigenous species like widoro bukol (Ziziphus
rotundifolia), mimba (Azadirachta indica), and pilang (Acacia
leucophloea). These three species are able to adapt to very arid
conditions, remaining green while the plants around them wither.
Other plants in the Park include tamarind (Tamarindus indica),
gadung (Dioscorea hispida), kemiri (Aleurites moluccana), gebang (Corypha
utan), api-api (Avicennia sp.), kendal (Cordia obliqua), manting (Syzygium
polyanthum), and kepuh (Sterculia foetida).
The 26 species of mammal include the banteng (Bos javanicus
javanicus), Asian wild dog (Cuon alpinus javanicus), barking deer (Muntiacus
muntjak muntjak), Timor deer (Cervus timorensis russa), panther (Panthera
pardus), lesser Malay mouse deer (Tragulus javanicus pelandoc),
fishing cat (Prionailurus viverrinus); and ebony leaf monkey (Trachypithecus
auratus auratus). The banteng is the mascot of Baluran National
Park.
In addition, there are about 155 species of bird, some of them
endangered species like the green peafowl (Pavo muticus), red
junglefowl (Gallus gallus), malabar hornbill (Anthracoceros
coronatus conversus), rhinoceros hornbill (Buceros rhinoceros
silvestris), barn swallow (Hirundo rustica), koel (Eudynamys
scolopacea), and lesser adjutant stork (Leptoptilos javanicus).
At Km. 80 on the Batangan-Bekol road there is an old well which has
become a legend amongst the surrounding community. Legend has it
that long ago, people from the towns of Banyuwangi, Bali and Balura
were simultaneously digging wells in their respective cities.
Whichever well was first to gush forth water meant that the city
would become a centre of trade and culture.
Interesting locations/attractions:
Batangan: historical site in the form of a Japanese cave. This
place is a witness to Indonesia s fierce struggle for independence
against the Japanese. A good place to observe animals, particularly
the peacock dance in the mating season between October and November,
and go camping. Bekol, Semiang: watching animals such as the barking
deer, banteng, red junglefowl and green peafowl. Bama, Balanan,
Bilik: marine tours, fishing, swimming, diving/snorkelling, and
watching great herds of deer. During July and August, stags can be
seen fighting each other. At low tide, troops of ebony leaf monkeys
can be seen fishing for crabs using their tails at high tide.Manting,
Air Kacip: a year-round water source, birdwatching in the early
morning and afternoon.
Popongan, Sejile, Sirontoh and Kalitopo: rowing on the calm sea
while watching shoals of ornamental fish, watching migrant birds.
Candi Bang, Labuan Merak and Kramat: sites of historical/cultural
interest.
Best time of year to visit: March to August.
How to reach the Park: Banyuwangi-Batangan, 35 km; then proceed to
Bekol, 45 minutes (12 km); or Situbondo-Batangan, 60 km by car.
Declared Minister of Agriculture, in 1980
Designated Minister of Forestry, SK.No.279/Kpts-VI/97,
a total area of 25,000 hectares
Location Regency of Situbondo (Province of East Java)
Temperature 27° - 34° C
Rainfall 900 - 1,600 mm/year
Altitude 0 - 1,247 m asl.
Geographical location 114°17' - 114°28' E; 7°29' - 7°55' S
Park Office: Jl. KH Agus Salim 132
Banyuwangi 68425, East Java
Tel. : +62-333-424119
Fax.: +62-333-412680
Related resources
National park in Java:
- National Parks in Indonesia
- Kepulauan Seribu National Park - Jakarta
- Gunung Halimun National Park - Suka Bumi, West Java
- Gunung Gede Pangrango National Park - Cianjur, West Java
- Karimunjawa National Park - Centre Java
- Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park - East Java
- Meru Betiri National Park - Jember, East Java
- Ujung Kulon National Park - Labuan Pandeglang
-
Alas Purwo National Park - Banyuwangi, East Java
