TAMAN NASIONAL BALI
BARAT
Geographical location : 114°25' - 114°34' E; 8°05' - 8°15' S
Administrative : Kabupaten Jembrana and Kabupaten Buleleng
Area : 19,002.89 hectares
Temperature : 33° C (on average)
Rainfall : 972 - 1,550 mm/year
Altitude : 0 - 1,414 m asl.
Best time to visit : August - December.
(West Bali National Park) comprises mangrove forest, coastal forest,
monsoon forest, lowland rain forest, savanna and sea grass vegetation types,
coral reefs, sandy beaches, and both shallow and deep sea waters.
This Park has 175 species of plant, 14 of which are endangered species
like Bayur (Pterospermum javanicum), Ketangi (Lagerstroemia speciosa), Burahol
(Stelechocarpus burahol), Cendana, or Sandalwood (Santalum album), and Sonokeling
(Dalbergia latifolia).
As well as the Bali starling (Leucopsar rothschildi), an endangered
and endemic species, the park also has other birds such as the black-winged
starling (Sturnus melanopterus), yellow-vented bulbul (Pycnonotus goiavier),
and black-headed Ibis (Threskiornis melanocephalus).
Among the animals to be found here are Banteng (Bos javanicus
javanicus), barking deer (Muntiacus muntjak nainggolani), marbled cat
(Pardofelis marmorata), pangolin (Manis javanica), Southeast Asian porcupine
(Hystrix brachyura brachyura), and lesser Malay mouse deer (Tragulus javanicus
javanicus).
Sea biota inhabiting the waters around Menjangan Island and Tanjung
Gelap comprise some 45 species of coral including Halimeda macroloba, Chromis
spp., Balistes spp., Zebrasoma spp., and Ypsiscarus ovifrons; 32 species of
fish including pinnate batfish (Platax pinnatus), rabbitfish (Siganus sp.), and
barracuda (Sphyraena sp.); and nine species of sea mollusc such as the southern
giant clam (Tridacna derasa), trumpet triton (Charonia tritonis), and large
claw mussel (Tridacna gigas).
Bali starling is the mascot of the Park, loves clean habitat and has a
short flying range. Being easy to catch, this species needs special care and
protection against decreasing population.
Located on the most western tips of Bali island or about 3 hours
driving from Denpasar city center, this park is the largest conservation area on
the island which cover total of 19,002.89 hectares.
Interesting locations/attractions :
Diving and snorkeling. A shipwreck forms a haven
for several coral species, one of which is Acrophora sp. which has a diameter
of 75 cm.
Menjangan Island, Pos Satu, Pos Dua and Tanjung
Gelap: diving and snorkeling.
Krepyak and Sumberrejo: animal observation.
Lintas Laut Monument and Makam Jayaprana: sites
of cultural interest.
Cultural attractions outside the Park include
Mekepung, Kendang Mebarung and Jegog which are held in kota Negara during September
and October.