TAMAN NASIONAL GUNUNG
GEDE-PANGRANGO
Geographical location : 106°50-107°02 E ; 6°41-6°51 S
Administrative Location : Provinsi Jawa Barat (Kabupaten Bogor,
Kabupaten Cianjur and Kabupaten Sukabumi)
Area : 15,000 hectares
Temperature : 5° - 28° C
Rainfall : 3,600 mm/year (on average)
Altitude : 1,000 - 3,000 masl
Best time visit : June - September
(Gunung Gede-Pangrango National Park) designated in 1980, is one of
the first five national parks in Indonesia. However, its unique characteristics
have made it a natural laboratory for researchers since long time before it was
designated - proved by a record that ; in 1819, C.G.C Reinwardt was officially recorded
as the first person to climb Gunung Gede, then following big expeditions after
that.
This park represents a distinct diversity of ecosystems : sub-montana
ecosystem, montana ecosystem, sub-alpine ecosystem, lake ecosystem, marshland
ecosystem and savanna ecosystem.
Sub-montane ecosystem is characterized by many large, tall trees like
jamuju (Dacrycarpus imbricatus) and puspa (Schima wallichii). Sub-alpine
ecosystem, meanwhile, is characterized by grassy meadows of Isachne
pangerangensis, edelweiss flower (Anaphalis javanica), violet (Viola pilosa),
and sentigi (Vaccinium varingiaefolium).
Among the endangered animal species that live interior are primate
species which are now threatened with extinction such as the Javan gibbon
(Hylobates moloch), Javan leaf monkey (Presbytis comata comata), ebony leaf
monkey (Trachypithecus auratus auratus), panther (Panthera pardus), leopard cat
(Prionailurus bengalensis javanensis), barking deer (Muntiacus muntjak
muntjak), lesser Malay mouse deer (Tragulus javanicus javanicus), Asian wild
dog (Cuon alpinus javanicus), southeast Asian porcupine (Hystrix brachyura
brachyura), stink badger (Mydaus javanensis) and yellow-throated marten (Martes
flavigula).
It is also widely known for its wealth of bird species: 251 out of 450
species in Java inhabit this Park. Among these are endangered species like the
Javan hawk eagle (Spizaetus bartelsi), and the owl (Otus angelinae).
UNESCO declared Gunung Gede-Pangrango National Park as a Biosphere
Reserve in 1977, and it is a Sister Park to Taman Negara Malaysia, under a
cooperation signed in 1995 between Indonesia and Malaysia.
Interesting locations/attractions :
Biru Lake : a small lake, covering about five hectares, situated at
1,575 masl. It is located 1.5 km from Cibodas entrance gate. Its blue colour
(and name) comes from a covering of blue algae.
Cibeureum Waterfall : 50 meters in vertical is located 2.8 km from
Cibodas and attracts a lot of visitors. Around the waterfall, it is possible to
see a kind of red moss which is endemic to West Java.
Thermal springs : 5.3 km or a two-hour walk from Cibodas.
Kandang Batu and Kandang Badak: camping, and plant and animal
observation at altitude of 2,220 masl, this site is 7.8 km or three-to-five
hour trekking from Cibodas.
Summit and crater of Gunung Gede is a perfect spot to watch sunrise or
sunset, towns of Cianjur, Sukabumi, and Bogor can be clearly seen, as well as
unusual plants around the crater from geological point of views. Three active
craters - Lanang, Ratu and Wadon - are united in a single complex, at an
altitude of 2,958 masl.
Alun-alun Suryakencana (Suryakencana Meadow) is a 50-hectare plain
covered with edelweiss flowers, situated at an altitude of 2,750 m asl.
Gunung Pangrango and Gunung Putri : has challenging trek to be
experienced.