Manusela National Park
Manusela National Park in Maluku is made up of coastal forest,
swamp forest, lowland rain forest, and montane rain forest ecosystem
types, with a range of associated vegetation types including
mangrove, riparian, and sub-alpine.
Among the plants that grow in this Park are tancang (Bruguiera
sexangula), mangrove (Rhizophora acuminata), api-api (Avicennia
sp.), lime (Dryobalanops sp.), pulai (Alstonia scholaris), ketapang
(Terminalia catappa), pandan (Pandanus sp.), meranti (Shorea
selanica), benuang (Octomeles sumatrana), matoa/kasai (Pometia
pinnata), cajuput (Melaleuca leucadendron), and various species of
orchid.
There are about 117 species of bird, 14 of them endemic, like the
eclectus parrot (Eclectus roratus roratus), purple-naped lory (Lorius
domicella), salmon-crested cockatoo (Cacatua moluccensis), lazuli
kingfisher (Halcyon lazuli), sacred kingfisher (H. sancta), Seram
friarbird (Philemon subcorniculatus), and Moluccan king parrot (Alisterus
amboinensis). The population of the endemic salmon-crested cockatoo
is now gravely threatened due to hunting and the destruction of its
habitat.
Other animals include the Timor deer (Cervus timorensis moluccensis),
common cuscus (Phalanger orientalis orientalis), water-hagedis
dragon (Hydrosaurus amboinensis), wild pig (Sus celebensis), marbled
cat (Pardofelis marmorata), giant skink (Tiliqua gigas gigas),
dugong (Dugong dugon), common green turtle (Chelonia mydas), and
various species of butterfly.
Steep, fast-flowing rivers traverse the Park. Mount Binaya, at "
3,027 m asl, is the highest of the Park's six mountains.
Four villages-Manusela, Ilena Maraina, Selumena and Kanike-form an
enclave in the Park. The local people
who live there believe that the mountains within the Park area give
them their spirit and protect them from harm. This belief implies
that the local people take care to protect and conserve the balance
of nature that surrounds them.
Interesting locations/attractions:
Tepi Merkele, Tepi Kabipoto, Wae Kawa: exploring the forest,
climbing and observing animals and plants.
Pasahari: observing deer and birds.
Wai Isal: camping, exploring the forest, observing animals and
plants.
Pilana: observing butterflies and exploring the forest.
Mt. Binaya: climbing, waterfalls, and exploring the forest.
Cultural attractions outside the Park: the Masohi Festival in
November, kora-kora (rowing) races in April, and the Darwin Ambon
International Yacht race in July, in Ambon.
Best time of year to visit: May to October.
How to reach the Park: The Park can be reached either by the north
coast (Sawai and Wahai), or the south coast (Tehoru and Moso). The
route from Moso is preferred by those like climbing, since it has a
slope of about 30%. From Ambon to Saka by bus and ferry (daily),
about 8 hours, then proceed to Wahai by speedboat, about 2 hours.
Alternatively, from Ambon to Wahai by ship, about 24 hours (3 times
a week). There is a flight from Ambon to Wahai once a week. Or, from
Ambon to Tehoru by motor boat (about 9 hours), then to Moso and
Saunulu village.
Designated : Minister of Forestry SK.No.281/Kpts-VI/97,
a total area of 189,000 hectares
Location : Regency of Maluku (Province of Maluku)
Temperature 25° - 35° C
Rainfall 1,500 - 2,000 mm/year
Altitude 0 - 3,027 m asl.
Geographical location 129°06' - 129°46' E; 2°48' - 3°18' S
Park Office : Jl. Christina Martha Tiahahu Nr. 2
PO Box 09, Masohi, Maluku
Tel. : +62-914- 22164
Fax. : +62-914- 22165
Related resources
National park in Maluku and Papua:
- National Parks in Indonesia
- Wasur National Park - Merauke, West Papua
- Teluk Cendrawasih National Park - Manokwari, West Papua
-
Lorentz National Park - Jayapura, Papua
