TAMAN NASIONAL MERU
BETIRI
Geographical location : 113°37-113°58 E ; 8°21-8°34 S
Administrative Location : Provinsi Jawa Timur (Kabupaten Jember and
Kabupaten Banyuwangi)
Area : 58,000 hectares
Temperature : 22° - 31° C
Rainfall : 2,300 mm/year (average)
Altitude : 0 - 1,223 masl
Best time to visit: February -
July
(Meru Betiri National Park) represents mangrove forest, swamp forest,
and lowland rain forest ecosystems.
This Park is a natural habitat of the rafflesia flower (Rafflesia
zollingeriana), and various other plants such as mangrove (Rhizophora sp.),
api-api (Avicennia sp.), waru (Hibiscus tiliaceus), nyamplung (Calophyllum
inophyllum), rengas (Gluta renghas), bungur (Lagerstroemia speciosa), pulai
(Alstonia scholaris), bendo (Artocarpus elasticus) and several medicinal
plants.
Home to several protected animals, including 29 species of mammal and
180 species of bird. Among them are the banteng (Bos javanicus javanicus),
panther (Panthera pardus), wild pig (Sus scrofa), long-tailed macaque (Macaca
fascicularis), Asian wild dog (Cuon alpinus javanicus), red-tailed flying
squirrel (Iomys horsfieldii), leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis
javanensis), barking deer (Muntiacus muntjak muntjak), Timor deer (Cervus
timorensis russa), green peafowl (Pavo muticus), leatherback turtle
(Dermochelys coriacea), hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), common green
turtle (Chelonia mydas), and Pacific ridley turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea).
Meru Betiri National Park is known as the last habitat of the Javan
tiger (Panthera tigris sondaica) which is now a highly endangered and protected
species. However, no traces of this tiger have been found for many years and it
is feared to be extinct
This park has other distinct characteristics. Sukamade Beach is a
habitat of the leatherback turtle, the hawksbill turtle, the common green
turtle, and the Pacific ridley turtle. Several simple breeding facilities have
been constructed at this beach to ensure that the turtles (too) do not become
extinct.
Interesting locations/attractions :
Pantai Rajegwesi : marine tours, swimming, animal or plant observation
and cultural visits (traditional fishing communities).
Sumbersari : a grazing area (192 hectares), where visitors can watch
animal like the sambar deer and barking deer. There is also a nature laboratory
for research.
Teluk Hijau and Teluk Meru : exploring the forest, marine tours and
swimming.
Pantai Sukamade : turtles can be seen laying their eggs. Camping, wind
surfing, plant and animal observation are also available here.
Gunung Betiri (1,192 masl) : Jungle trekking and mountain
climbing.