Ujung Kulon National Park is UNESCO world heritage. It's a home of hundreds species, a tropical rainforest ecosystem and amazingly beautiful tourism destination. Located in Pandeglang Regency, Banten Province, Indonesia, the park promise you never ending adventures and a lot of experiences.
Ujung Kulon means the western tip and, yes, it's located in the most western peninsula of Java Island. Taman Nasional Ujung Kulon (Ujung Kulon National Park) is the official name of the 122.956 ha area of the biggest lowland tropical rainforest ecosystem in Banten Province, Indonesia. It's the first Indonesian park declared by UNESCO as world heritage in 1992. The park is a conservation for many plants or animals species. The most iconic species of Ujung Kulon National Park is badak jawa/ javan rhinoceros (Rhinoceros Sondaicus) which is nearly extinct concerning its population number.
Brief History
In 1846, a German-Dutch botanist, Frans Wilhelm Junghuhn, introduces Ujung Kulon for the first time in his work. The great eruption of Krakatau in 1883 followed with the great tsunami wiped out the animals and vegetation of the area and caused the death of 36.000 people as well. Everything grows and breeds since the great disaster are what remained today.
The first declaration of Ujung Kulon as a conservation area was initiated by The Netherlands Indies Society for The Protection of Nature in 1921. The conservation area included Ujung Kulon peninsula and Panaitan island. Later, in 1937, Peucang Island registered as part of the conservatory area. From 1958 to 1992, Indonesian Government listed other areas like Mount Honje and sea water area measured from the shores as additional part to Ujung Kulon National Park. UNESCO stated the national park as world heritage in 1992.
The Species
Ujung Kulon National Park is a home for 35 types of mammals, 5 primates, 59 reptiles, 22 types of amphibian species, 240 kinds of bird, 72 insects, 142 fishes, 33 corals, and 700 types of plants. To preserve the population, Ujung Kulon is famous as an ideal conservatory habitat for the critically endangered Javan rhino. The estimated population of the species is only 37 to 44. For that reasons, JRSCA (Javan Rhino Study and Conservation Area) is established in Ujung Kulon to support the life of Javan rhino.
The Islands
Besides conservational purpose, Ujung Kulon National Park offer great islands to visit; Peucang island, Panaitan Island and Handeuleum Islets. Peucang island is the most famous and it's called the 'dream island'. The island is a perfect place for diving and snorkeling. Panaitan island is famous for its surfing spot, the 'one palm point'. In Handeuluem islets, you can explore the mangrove ecosystem. Canoeing between the islets and Cigenter river are great experiences.
Herding field, the sacred Sanghyangsirah cave, beaches around the peninsula, Cibiuk hot water spring and Cikacang waterfals are some of other great attractions of Ujung Kulon.
(the picture is taken from id.wikipedia.org)
Insan
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