Sultan Adam Grand Forest Park
(Indonesian: Taman Hutan Raya Sultan Adam or abbreviated as “Tahura”) or
also known as Tahura Sultan Adam is one of forest area located in South
Kalimantan, Indonesia. A forest measuring 112,000 hectares and located in two
districts, Banjar and Tanah Laut, has been set as the Grand Forest Park of
Indonesia under a Presidential Decree No. 52 of 1989. Tahura Sultan Adam
consists of several areas, including the Riam Kanan Protected Forest covering an area of 55,000 hectares, the Kinain Buak covering an area of 13,000
hectares, the Pelaihari Wildlife Reserve in Martapura covering an area of 36,400 hectares, and the Educational Forest of Lambung
Mangkurat University (UNLAM) covering an area of 2,000
hectares.
Since 1990, Tahura Sultan Adam that
was established in order to preserve rare animals and plants, a place of
research, as well as tourism object, has been managed by an institution
centered in Mandiangin, Banjar. On this location, we can find an inscription of
the establishment of Tahura Sultan Adam signed by President Suharto. To serve
as one of the tourism objects in South Kalimantan, Tahura Sultan Adam offers
various attractions which suitable to be used as a place of relaxing, including
the Lake Riam Kanan measuring 8,000 hectares. In the middle of the lake is
found an island of pine trees measuring 3 hectares and an island of Bukit
Batas. Tahura Sultan Adam area also offers various other attractions, including
the Surian waterfall, Batu Kumbang waterfall, Mandin Sawa waterfall, and
Bagugur waterfall located in the Tabatan upstream. The area also provides an
area of 6 hectares campsite located in Bangkal
Awang, Karang Intan, Banjar district.
Sultan Adam Grand Forest has many
tourism options. There visitors are able to see the protected endangered
animals, such as Lampung elephant, deer, and alligators, which are centered on
the Pelaihari Wildlife Refuge in Martapura. In addition to this wildlife
refuge, the Educational Forest of the Lambung Mangkurat University (UNLAM) has
now been developed into arboretum, breeding animals, safari park, bird park, so
visitors can see a variety of endangered animals. This area is suitable for
research, and used as campaign for students because it has been provided an
ample campaign ground.
Visitors who are the adventurers have
a great chance to explore the area of Kahung Valley in Aranio, Banjar. This
area is included as part of Meratus Mountains and as one of the Primary
forests, which is rarely touched by people, stores hundreds to thousands of
typical species of flora and fauna. The flora includes meranti wood (Shorea
spp.), ulin (Eusideroxylon zwageri), kahingai (Santiria tomentosa),
damar(Dipterocarpus spp.), pampahi (Ilexsimosa spp.), kuminjah
laki (Memecylon leavigatum), keruing (Dipterocarpus grandiflorus),
mawai (Caethocarpus grandiflorus), jambukan (Mesia sp.), kasai(Arthocarpus
kemando) and more. In fact, this area is also considered to have the famous
orchid of South Kalimantan, which is the black orchid and the cane orchid. The
fauna includes proboscis monkey (Nasalis larvatus), gibbon (Hylobates
muelleri), Javan Lutung (Trachypithecus auratus), sun bear (Helarctos
malayanus), Sambar deer (Cervus unicolor), Muntjacs (Muntiacus
muntjak), Bornean yellow muntjac (Muntiacus atherodes), Java mouse deer
(Tragulus javanicus), and more.
Another special adventure can be
enjoyed in Kahung Valley is the journey to the site. There are only two
alternatives to get to the location, including using a raft of bamboo and using
buffalo to cross the river. In addition, you also have to walk down to the
dense forests, vast prairie weeds, as well as through the hilly streets. It is
also quite often visitors must pass through a challenging terrain, such as
walking through swift currents with the sleek natural rocks.
For those who love water attraction,
Lake Riam Kanan and Lake Bukit Batas are the right choice. Here visitors can do
some sport activities while enjoying panoramic views of beautiful lakes and
green forest of Pinus Merkussi. Visitors can also enjoy the charm of the
waterfalls located in several places in the Tahura Sultan Adam area. The
management and information center of Tahura Sultan Adam is located in
Mandiangin village, Karangan Intan, Banjar, South Kalimantan province,
Indonesia.
Access
Sultan Adam Grand
Forest Park is located approximately 55 km from the city of Banjarmasin, or
about 15 kilometers from the city of Banjar Baru, the capital of Banjar. The
site can be accessed by using two-wheelers and four-wheel vehicles.
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