On the Ground in Ujung Kulon: the area
Ujung kulon is an enclave of wilderness
The boat chugging along the north, and then west coast of the Ujung Kulon peninsula is no technology marvel. But it does give the visitor the opportunity to take in the scenery at a leisurely pace: Densely packed forests overhanging the sea, estuaries, swamps… and the occasional raptor in the sky. Entering Ujung Kulon National Park is tantamount to entering a secluded green enclave, barely connected to the island of Java by a thin strip of land.
Under pressure
Java is home to over 100 million people, making it one of the most densely populated areas on our planet. Not surprisingly, many of the island’s forests have been destroyed, with a few remaining blocks on steep mountain slopes and infertile areas.
In Ujung Kulon, where WWF has made an important contribution to protect the Park over the last 40 years, efforts continue to avoid that the area follows the fate of other forests on the island.
In and around the buffer zone of the Park…
Honje mountain, enclosed by the National Park to the East, is important for the water it provides to surrounding villages, which covers the local community's needs for rice cultivation, fish ponds, and drinking water. More than 40,000 people live in and around the 19 villages in the area.
The majority of the local villagers are farmers and fishermen, and approximately 70 % of the first do not own land for farming. Instead, they work as labourers for the landowners. Although some villagers close to Ujung Kulon are aware of the importance of the Park, people still enter the park to cut down the forest for agriculture.
A kaleidoscope of landscapes, species and ecological roles
The Park is approximately 120,500 hectares in size, of which more than half is covered by land. The terrain is hilly, with the highest point - Gunung Tilu, part of Honje mountain range - peaking at 620 meters, while the peninsula is surrounded by warm tropical waters.
Tidal waves from the nearby Krakatau volcano and agricultural activities in the past have altered the vegetation through time. Today, one can find lowland rainforests (many fig species, palms, lianas and rattan), primary forest (large trees with high canopy, sparse undergrowth), secondary forest (often impenetrable, jungle-like vegetation) and coastal forest (pandanus, coconut palms, mangrove forests).
In the south lie long, sandy beaches. The shores of the west coast are lined with reef, rocky promontories and cliffs. To the North is located Panaitan Island: a pilgrimage for surfers, Hinduists (a Shiva statue, remnant of a shrine, is found there at mount Raksa), and a haven for those lured by shiny white beaches. Yet, floating litter in Panaitan Bay is a grim reminder of the not too distant urbanization.
Ujung Kulon through modern times
Ujung Kulon’s importance was recognized at the beginning of last century, at a time when hunting was rampant. First a Nature Reserve, then a Game Sanctuary, the area was eventually granted National Park and UNESCO World Heritage Site status in 1992. Today, it is managed by the Department of Forestry.
A vast array of wildlife is found in Ujung Kulon, with the javan rhinoceros as the Park’s flagship species.
Find out about:
- Indonesian javan rhinoceros
- Banteng
- Fishing cat
- Javan leaf-monkey
- Javan gibbon
- Javan slow loris
- Asiatic rock python
- Rhinoceros hornbill
- White-bellied sea eagle
- Manta ray
- Green turtle
- Leatherback turtle
Other species include deer and macaques, and fish such as groupers and sweet lips.
