TAMAN NASIONAL BETUNG
KERIHUN
Geographical location : 112°18-114°12 E ; 0°35-1°34 N
Administrative location : Provinsi Kalimantan Barat (Kabupaten Kapuas
Hulu)
Area : 800,000 hectares
Temperature : 21° - 28° C
Rainfall : 2,800 - 5,500 mm/year
Altitude : 150 - 2,000 masl
Best time to visit : September - December.
Topographically, Betung Kerihun National Park is hilly. Pegunungan
Muller which connects Gunung Betung and Gunung Kerihun also forms the border
between Indonesia and Malaysia (Serawak). Small streams flow from the foothills
of Pegunungan Muller forms Kapuas, Sibau, Mendalam, Bungan and Embaloh
Watersheds as the park can only be reached by these rivers.
It is Home of eight types of forest ecosystem such as lowland forest,
old secondary forest, Dipterocarpus,
sub-montane and montane forest, with a high value plant diversity of 1,216
species consisting of 418 genera and 110 families (75endemic to Kalimantan).
Fourteen species are newly recorded in Indonesia, like Musa lawitiensis,
Neouvaria acuminatissima, Castanopsis inermis, Lithocarpus philippinensis,
Chisocheton cauliflorus, Syzygium spicata, and Shorea peltata; and 13 species
of palm which are newly recorded in Kalimantan including Pinanga
bifidovariegata and Ixora sp.
Interior : there are 48 species of mammal, including seven primate
species such as the maroon leaf monkey (Presbytis rubicunda rubicunda),
orangutan (Pongo satyrus), Mueller's Bornean grey gibbon (Hylobates muelleri),
white-fronted leaf monkey (Presbytis frontata frontata), and banded leaf monkey
(P. femoralis chrysomelas); 301 species of bird, 51 species of amphibian, 52
species of reptile, 170 species of insect, and 112 species of fish.
The dominant and most commonly seen animals are orangutan (Pongo
satyrus), sambar deer (Cervus unicolor brookei), western tarsier (Tarsius
bancanus borneanus), Mueller's Bornean grey gibbon (Hylobates muelleri), maroon
leaf monkey (Presbytis rubicunda rubicunda), sun bear (Helarctos malayanus
euryspilus), hairy-nosed otter (Lutra sumatrana), and larger Malay mouse deer
(Tragulus napu borneanus). But most distinct species of bird in this Park are
the wreathed hornbill (Aceros undulatus) and the helmeted hornbill (Rhinoplax
vigil) which is the mascot of Kalimantan Barat.
The Park has been proposed as a Trans-Border Reserve together with
Lantjak Entimau Wildlife Reserve in Serawak (Malaysia).
The potentially vast biodiversity riches of the Park pose a challenge
to researchers to reveal them. But It also has several other attractions such
as beautiful vistas over the forest crown which seems to go on forever;
crystal-clear water flowing from waterfalls on the hilltops; birdcalls and the
screeches and sings of various animals.
As with other inland people throughout much of Kalimantan, most of the
people living around the Park are Dayak. Here, they are Dayak Iban, Dayak
Taman, and Dayak Bukat tribes. Many people are still adorned with tattoos in
typical and very distinctive patterns.
Interesting locations/attractions:
Gunung Betung, Gunung Kerihun and most part of Pegunungan Muller : Mountain
climbing.
Sungai Tekelan, Sungai Sibau, Sungai Mendalam, Sungai Embaloh and
Sungai Kanyau : kayaking/canoeing, observing animals and plants, and cultural
tourism.
Riam Lapan and Riam Matahari : hardy souls can test their whitewater
rafting skills on numerous rapids, rated at class III-IV in difficulty, at the
most class V in Riam Matahari.
Sungai Sedik, Batang Pilung and Sungai Jaan : waterfalls, observing
animals and plants, and cultural tourism.
Tanjung Lokang (located in the western part of the park) : There are
steep slopes and limestone caves suitable for caving.