TAMAN NASIONAL DANAU
SETARUM
Geographical location : 111°56-112°25 E ; 0°39-1°00 N
Administrative location : Provinsi Kalimantan Barat (Kabupaten Kapuas
Hulu)
Area : 132,000 hectares
Temperature : 26° - 30° C
Rainfall : 1,200 - 1,500 mm/year
Altitude : 37 - 40 masl
(Danau Sentarum National Park) represents Lake Wetland, freshwater
swamp forest, and tropical rain forest ecosystems.
Danau (Lake) Sentarum, a seasonal lake, is located in part of the
Kapuas River Basin, about 700 km from the estuary that flows into South China
Sea. Surrounded by hills and highland, Danau Sentarum forms an important water
catchment area, and at the same time regulates water flow through Sungai Kapuas
watershed. All areas downstream are therefore highly dependent on the fluctuating
water level of the lake.
Like other areas of West Kalimantan, some peculiar and endemic species
of plant are here, including tengkawang (Shorea beccariana), lowland forest
plants like jelutung (Dyera costulata), ramin (Gonystylus bancanus), meranti
(Shorea spp.), keruing (Dipterocarpus spp.), and kayu ulin (Eusideroxylon
zwageri).
It is Home of variety of fish species - estimated that there are about
120 species. Among them are the Asian bony tongue (Scleropages formosus),
belida (Notopterus chitala), toman (Channa micropeltes), betutu (Oxyeleotris
marmorata), jelawat (Leptobarbus hoeveni), ketutung (Balantiocheilos
melanopterus), and the beautiful clown loach (Botia macracanthus).
Other animals like proboscis monkey (Nasalis larvatus), orangutan (Pongo
satyrus), estuarine crocodile (Crocodylus porosus), false gavial (Tomistoma
schlegelii), siamese crocodile (Crocodylus siamensis), clouded leopard
(Neofelis nebulosa), great argus (Argusianus argus grayi), and wooly-necked
stork (Ciconia episcopus stormi) also inhabit the Park.
The drainage system from this freshwater lake and flooded forest makes
Danau Sentarum quite distinct from other lakes. Its reddish-black water is a
result of the tannin from the surrounding peat swamp forest. In the rainy season,
its depth may reach 6-8 metres, flooding the surrounding areas and forest.
During dry season, when the level of the Kapuas river gradually drops, water
from Danau Sentarum flows into Sungai Kapuas to restore the water deficit and
keep the water level of the river relatively stable. Eventually, when the dry
season reaches its climax, Danau Sentarum and the surrounding areas become a
vast stretch of dry land, the fish from the lake inhabiting small scattered
ponds.
It was declared as International Wetland Site under the Ramsar
Convention in 1992.
Local people around the park belong are Dayak tribes like the Iban,
Sebaruk, Sontas, Punan and they still live in a very traditional way. The
characteristic longhouses (betang) vary in size according to the number of
people occupying them. This could be between 5 to 30 families. A typical
longhouse occupied by 15 to 30 families would have an average length of 186
metres and a width of 6 metres. The local ways of life is fascinating for
tourists. The atmosphere of the betang is harmonious, simple, and friendly, and
visitors will usually be treated to a traditional Dayak dance during their
visit.