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Nature Reserves
in East Java
 If one is fortunate
to fly over East Java on a clear day it will be possilble to
appreciate the abundance of natural forest and wild, mountainous
terrain still in existence. The province now possesses eight
official National Parks, protected areas for native flora and
fauna.
ARJUNO-LALIJIWO RESERVE
Situated between Surabaya and Malang, the reserve is dominated
by the volcanic peaks of Mt. Arjuna (dormant) and the semiactive
Mt Welirang, both towering more than 3,000 metres above sea level.
The peak of Welirang is a source of sulphur and collectors travel
a well worn path daily to the summit area of the mountain from
the resort of Tretes. Wildlife includes deer and wild pig; forests
are of hardy casuarina trees.
BROMO-SEMERU RESERVE
The Bromo-Semeru massif covers some 800 square kilometres in
the centre of the province, to the east of Malang. It is the
largest volcanic region in East Java and contains the island's
highest mountain, Semeru, rising 3,676 m above sealevel. The
10 kilometre wide 'sand sea' of Bromo has become East Java's
most famous attraction. The reserve is home to quite a number
of rare and protected plants; lake areas are frequented by a
variety of waterfowl and wildlife includes deer and a few leopards.
.NUSA BARUNG RESERVE
Nusa Barung is an uninhabited island off the south coast of East
Java and has been a nature reserve since 1920. The cliffs and
shore are a haven for sea birds and edible birds nests built
by swifts are also found here.
HYANG PLATEAU RESERVE
The Hyang Plateau Reserve covers about 40,000 Hectares, including
the summit of Mt Argopura (3,088 m). The area once contained
an enormous population of deer, but their numbers have been reduced
drastically in the past fifty years, Other types of wildlife
include wild cats, pigs and jungle fowl.
MERU BETIRI RESERVE
Meru Betiri, on East Java's south coast is best known for being
the last place on the island where the Javanese tiger is still
believed to exist. The last official report revealed that there
were between three and five left. The extinction of this species,
then, appears to be inevitable. Conservation efforts at Meru
Betiri are concentrated for the most part on the turtle nesting
beaches, particularly at Sukamade, where the turtles are monitored
closely and their eggs protected Meru Betiri contains some truly
magnificent natural rain forest.
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