TN Kutai protects 6 key species in East Kalimantan rainforest

Kutai National Park in East Kalimantan is strengthening protection for six important plant species to sustain the tropical rainforest in the 193.753,42-hectare area. The six include pasak bumi, ulin, bendang, meranti, anggrek hitam, and the mangrove ecosystem along the Makassar Strait coast. TN Kutai Head Syaiful Bahri said management priorities include protecting natural habitat, curbing illegal logging, and rehabilitating forest areas. Special attention is being given to ulin, whose population has declined because of past exploitation, and meranti, which is threatened by land conversion. Managers are also promoting cultivation of pasak bumi, deploying patrols for anggrek hitam, and protecting mangrove from pollution because it is important for preventing erosion and serving as a spawning area for marine life.