West Bali National
Park and Reserve
Much of Bali's natural landscape has been altered by the hand
of man. Dense tropical forests that once covered the island have
mostly now been cleared; and the land molded into spectacular
rice terraces and sprawling village settlements. But on the westernmost
tip of the island, extensive Montana forests, coastal swamps and
marine waters have barely been disturbed by human presence. Today
these areas comprise the Bali Barat (West Bali) National Park,
officially gazette in 1984 as one of ten national parks in Indonesia.
Several distinct environments are to be found within the park's
76,312 hectares. Forested mountains ranging up to 1500 m stand
in the park's central and eastern sectors. Their southern slopes
are forested with tropical vegetation that is green year round.
The north is much drier than the south, hosting deciduous forests.
Palm savannahs and mangrove swamps are found in the coastal areas.
Four nearby islands surrounded by coral reefs are rich in sea
and bird life.
The park is home to two rare species wildlife. The Bali Starling
(Leucopsar rothschildi), found only in Bali, is a small white
bird with black wingtips and a brilliant aqua blue streak around
its eyes. A hundred or so individuals still live in the wild here,
mainly on Menjangan Island, and the park is sponsoring a project
to train birds donated from zoos around the world for re-release
to their natural habitat. The project's training center is located
at Tegal Bunder Research Station
Another rare species is the wild Javan buffalo (Bos javanicus)
only 30 to 40 deep inside the park grounds. Other mammals here
include rusa deer, barking deer mouse deer, leopard, civets, macaques
and several species of monkeys.
The National Park's stated goal is to balance conservation with
human needs, now and in the future. Portions of it will be preserved
as a wilderness resource. Other areas bordering on existing human
settlement, e have been designated "buffer zones" and
continue to provide these communities with needed forest resources.
Several coconut and eucalyptus plantations will be reconverted
to natural habitats. Still other areas are being exploited for
timber. The park is also intend for controlled recreational use
by Indonesian and foreigners alike.
Within the park's boundaries are two well known tourist sites.
The Banyu Wedang hot springs are considered to have medicinal
properties by those who believe and bathe in them. Also found
here is the holy grave of Jayaprana, a nobleman sent on a fatal
mission so the king he served might wed his new bride
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