Berbak National Park

Berbak National Park

The Berbak National Park in Sumatra island, Jambi province of Indonesia, forms part of the largest undisturbed swamp forest in southeastern Asia, and the peat swamp forest with the greatest number of palm species. Protected since 1935 under Dutch colonial law and later declared a national park, it has been also recognised as a wetland of international importance.
Plant species in the park include Shorea genus rainforest trees and 23 species of palm tree. Of these a number are categorized as endangered, including Johannesteijsmannia altifrons, and a newly found species Lepidonia kingii.
Berbak National Park provides habitat for a rich fauna, which includes the endangered Sumatran Tiger and Malayan Tapir. Small remnant populations of the critically threatened Sumatran Rhinoceros may still exist in some areas of the park, although not sighted in recent years. The more than 250 bird species include the Chinese Egret, Lesser Adjutant Stork, many species of Kingfisher and White-winged Wood Duck. Reptiles include the Malaysian Giant Turtle, Batagur Turtle and Saltwater Crocodile.
The park has degraded since 1990, mainly due to illegal logging and fires. Major fires occurred in 1994, and again in 1997, destroying about 12,000ha in the central area of the Park along the Air Hitam Laut River, and about 4,000ha along the Simpang Melaka River. It is estimated that at least 25% of the Park has been affected by illegal logging and subsequent fires. Hunting and capturing of animals and some illegal huts also exist within the reserve.

Related Sites for Berbak National Park

• Berbak National Park Tourism read Berbak National Park
• Guiding To Indonesia: Berbak National Park read Berbak National Park
• National Parks in Indonesia: Berbak read Berbak National Park
• Berbak National Park read Berbak National Park