Nature and the environment (page 2)
National parks, volcanoes, wildlife, earthquakes and conservation.
Alert Raised for Possible Eruption of Mount Kelud: Kediri, East Java
An alert has been raised for Mount Kelud in East Java , to its highest since the last eruption in 1990, amid signs that it may erupt .
Eco-Friendly Radio: Yogyakarta, Central Java
The two-by-three-meter room is cramped with electronic gadgets, computers, chairs and tables -- but it is the nerve center of farming life , as well as every other activity in Terong village, Dlinggo…
Book Review: Playing with Fire - Adventures in Indonesia
There are literally hundreds of books on the market about people’s travels around the archipelago of Indonesia . Some are good and some even better than the norm.
Fortifying Bali
The government of Bali has come up with an ingenious plan to ward off the effects of global warming and rising sea levels: fortification.
The Tengger Farmers: East Java
The Tengger villagers are skilled horticulturalists who work the acute slopes by hand.
Sebangau National Park: Central Kalimantan
Once a concession zone, exploited without planning by local and national companies, Sebangau National Park in Central Kalimantan was declared a protected public forest on Oct.
Mount Bromo: East Java
Visiting Mount Bromo , East Java's premier tourist attraction, is soon to get a little easier and more comfortable -- though only because a banker found facilities a disgrace.
Climbing Gunung Gede in a Day: West Java
Last week, I celebrated Independence Day by coming to a fuller appreciation of the virtue that lay in patience, resilience and managing one's limitations. Waking up at 3:30 a.m.
Cubadak Island: West Sumatra
I have been here many times, but frankly I'm never too bored to stay here for a couple of days. It's really a nice quiet island.
Cubudak Island - How to Get There
Paradiso Village is situated in Cubadak , 40 kilometers from Padang and five miles from Carocok Village .
Gunung Halimun National Park: West Java
Gunung Halimun National Park (GHNP) is one of the few places on Java that still embraces original forest life, functions as a natural reserve, and provides an excellent field for scientific research…
Tana Toraja: South Sulawesi
The straps of my backpack cut into my shoulders and my legs ached as I struggled up the last steep rise through the pine trees.
Togean Islanders Sustain Marine Life: Central Sulawesi
Set like emeralds in the turquoise waters off the coast of Central Sulawesi , the Togean Islands are home to over 500 types of coral, 600 reef fish species and an estimated 500 mollusk.
Neglected Balinese Dogs Cared For: Ubud, Bali
When Linda Buller walks into her dog shelter in Ubud , Bali , dozens of animals run to her, barking and howling for her attention. Their wagging tails show how they feel.
Mount Rinjani Up for World Heritage: Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara
Lombok Island 's Mount Rinjani National Park may well join UNESCO's World Heritage List next year because of the incredible symmetry the park provides between nature and local culture.
Tengger Kasada Ritual: Mt Bromo, East Java
The Tengger people`s traditional thanksgiving ritual , the Yadnya Kasada , will take place at Mount Bromo , Probolinggo district, on August 26-27 or 10 days earlier than last year when it was held…
Petungsewu Wildlife Education Center: Malang, East Java
A simple slogan on a wooden sign greets anyone coming to Petungsewu Wildlife Education Center in Malang regency, East Java .
Riverboarding on the Citarum: Bandung, West Java
Robert Carlson, a Californian surfer, once said, "Anyone who jumps into the water and grabs a log is riverboarding.
Camping in Java
If you are looking to escape the oppressive, urban squalor of Jakarta and wander through lush forests and mountains then I've always maintained that it's not necessary to jet hundreds of miles to…
Lake Toba: Samosir, North Sumatra
Looking out over Lake Toba , it is evident that is a basin of superlatives. With a surface area of 1,130 square kilometers and possessing a maximum depth of 529 meters, it is the world's largest and…
Tombs and Megaliths: Samosir, North Sumatra
The main road in Samosir presents the traveler with two options. To the southeast lies the village of Tomok , while in the opposite direction are Ambarita and Simanindo .
Mass Tourism Threatens Coasts: Bali
Mass tourism on the island of Bali over the last three decades has caused considerable environmental damage to its beaches and coastal areas, an environmentalist said.
Government Warns on High Waves and Eruptions
The government warned of the possibility that natural disasters could strike in several of the country's regions in the coming weeks.
Thousands Still Flee Volcano: Halmahera, North Maluku
Nearly 8,500 people have fled the slopes of a volcano in Halmahera , North Maluku , after it spewed ash, smoke and debris, officials said, as the volcanology office raised its warning to the highest…
Knockdown Houses: South Sumatra
The quality and renown of "knockdown houses" built in the village of Tanjung Batu Seberang in Tanjung Batu subdistrict, Ogan Ilir regency, South Sumatra , has long been widely known.
Burning Alive: Kalimantan
There was a comment recently on this site by Inez who has asked me to make aware the plight of the orangutans in Kalimantan .
Adam Powell Photo Exhibition: Kuta, Bali
Adam Powell , a noted marine photographer , has been meticulously taking great shots of underwater life in the Asia-Pacific region.
Gedong Songo Temple Complex: Central Java
Central Java is rich with the cultural heritage of Hindu , Buddhist and Islamic historical eras .
Karang Bolong: West Java
Every once in a while it is nice, if at all possible, to get away from the metropolis that is Jakarta , with all its traffic congestion and choking pollution, and head for the coast to get some sun,…
Pulau Umang: Banten, West Java
Pulau Umang , a paradise next door? An outdoor banquet on the beach? It sounds wonderful. And it was the balmy night, the food, the sandy beach on a private island in Banten province, all of it.
Natural Attractions: Komdo National Park, East Nusa Tenggara
Thousands of flying foxes lingered in the sky; fishes of various colors swam languorously in blue sea water; while small waves rippled through mangrove trees on a tiny island.
Lore Lindu National Park Under Threat: Sulawesi
The natural beauty of Lore Lindu National Park , one of a handful of flora and fauna conservation centers in Sulawesi , has for years been threatened by development initiatives.
Borneo Crocodile Recreational Park: Balikpapan, Kalimantan
Residents in Balikpapan and other parts of East Kalimantan may be familiar with the Borneo Crocodile Recreational Park on Jl. Mulawarman in the city, managed by CV Surya Raya Crocodile Farm.
Bukit Bangkirai:East Kalimantan
Imagine an orchid forest with more than 45 different species including dancing and dragon scale varieties, sambas breeding deer, flying fox, short- and long-tailed macaque birds, wild boar and…
Natural Attractions in Montane Ciwidey: Bandung, West Java
Tired of the hectic culinary or shopping tourism in northern Bandung ? Visit the montane area in the south, and you can enjoy the exotic panorama and the fresh, cold mountain air.
Javan Langur Disappears From Forests: Bekasi, West Java
The Javan langur -- a type of monkey -- is often mentioned in Indonesian bedtime stories and fables.
Sawu Sea Haven: Lembata Island, East Nusa Tenggara
While cetaceans such as whales and dolphins are widely hunted in some parts of the world, they could soon find the deep Sawu Sea in East Nusa Tenggara province a safe haven.
Balinese Pray for Cleaner Oceans: Bali
Bali found its own unique way of joining the rest of mankind in celebrating World Environment Day 2007 on June 5th.
Sentarum Lake: West Kalimantan
Sentarum Lake is a seasonal lagoon consisting of small ponds in the upper reaches of the Kapuas River , 700 kilometers from Pontianak , the capital of West Kalimantan province.
Gulf of Ambon Under Threat: Maluku Islands
Ambon island , part of an island chain in Maluku province, is currently under threat from rapid sedimentation in the Gulf of Ambon .
New Districts Threaten Siberut National Park: Sumatra
The management of Siberut National Park , on Siberut Island , West Sumatra , has warned of the threat posed by the emergence of new districts.
Ecotourism in Kalimantan
Ecotourism is the tourism of the future and is viewed by so many travellers as the way to travel.
Gunung Api Batur Museum Open: Bangli, Bali
In early May 2007, Bali inaugurated its first Volcano Museum in Bangli . Opened as part of the 803rd anniversary of seat of the Bangli Regency, the Museum Gunung Api Batur was officially opened its…
Tidal Wave Warning System Needed Urgently
The West Java provincial administration urged the central government through its National Search and Rescue Agency ( Basarnas ) Monday to speed up the installation of an early warning system for…
Islands to be Developed: Gunungkidul, Central Java
In what is seen as an excellent move forward to increase tourism in the regency of Yogyakarta , a number of small uninhabited islands off Gunungkidul district`s coast will be developed to become…
RI plans Frontier Study
Indonesian scientists will embark on an ambitious, two-year expedition to Raja Ampat in West Papua to study biodiversity there and possibly unearth new species in a region dubbed the world's most…
Maribaya: West Java
Traveling north from downtown Bandung , the roads appear to bend and climb endlessly into the hills that surround the city.
Indonesia Counts its Islands
Indonesia has so many islands it has not been able to count them all and is having a hard time finding names for them.
National Park Funding Reduced
The government will make eight of the 50 national parks in the country autonomous by 2009 in a bid to save Rp 32 billion (US$3.5 million) in state spending.
Thermal Power Plant Development: Bali
Bali province is expected to begin the development of a 400-MW thermal power plant (PLTU) around Celukan Bawang port , Beleleng district, in an effort to anticipate power crisis in the tourist resort…
Cajeput Oil: Buru Island, Maluku
Visitors to Buru Island , Maluku , often purchase bottles of cajeput oil to take home as gifts.
LIPI Launches Book on Java Flora: Jakarta, West Java
The Indonesian Institute of Science ( LIPI ) is launching a book on mountainous flora in Java in an attempt to raise awareness of the richness of the country's biodiversity and to provide a reference…
Earth Day: Indonesia
In commemoration of My Green Earth Day 2007 , WWF-Indonesia are hosting a green environment day, that is planting trees and distributing plant seeds at 10 WWF-Indonesia site offices, from Sumatra to…
Activists Send Letters to Trees in Protest: Malang, East Java
Malang residents took a different approach to protesting against the declining amount of green space in the East Java city -- they wrote letters to the trees themselves.
Yogyakarta Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre: Yogyakarta, Central Java
On any day, a walk through Central Java's bird markets will net you dozens of Indonesia's endangered bird, reptile and mammalian species.
Cyloop Nature Preserve Buffer Zone: Jayapura, Papua
The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Indonesia for the Sahul region with the participation of Papuan people has been implementing a greening program in the Cyloop nature preserve buffer zone in Jayapura…
Regencies Preserve Ciremai Springs: Cirebon, West Java
The Cirebon and Kuningan regency administrations have agreed to work together to preserve springs at Mount Ciremai National Park that are a vital source of drinking water for residents in the two…
Planned Air Quality Ranking System for Cities
Last year it was the ‘ Cleanest City in Indonesia ’ and now this year the government has announced a new scheme to rank cities based on air quality , in an effort to push local administrations to cut…
Ecotourism to Save Ciliwung River: Jakarta, West Java
The Jakarta administration has stepped up its efforts to improve the water quality of the Ciliwung River , which passes along the capital, as much-anticipated cooperation with neighboring cities to…
Fish Crisis will Destroy Marine Resources
In the next 10 years the accumulated fish crisis in Indonesia is believed to totally destroy the country`s fish resources.The crisis began when it became difficult to find fish of certain species on…
Orchid Exhibition: Taman Mini Indonesia Indah, Jakarta
In commemoration of its 50th anniversary, the Indonesian Orchid Association is holding a 10-day exhibition at Taman Mini Indonesia Indah , East Jakarta .Through April 22 , visitors can enjoy a…
Latulahat Windmill: Ambon, Maluku Islands
Any use of alternative sources for fuel is far better than polluting the atmosphere and destroying the environment .
The Real Madura Island
Tell the average Indonesian that you're going to Madura for a holiday and he'll laugh, travel writer Tim Hannigan says.Then, as the realization that you're not joking dawns, jaws will drop; concerns…
Palm Oil Production Destroying Indonesian Rainforests
Palm oil has long been used in a wide range of consumer products, from margarine to sweets and soaps to cosmetics.
Massive Reforestation Program: Indonesia
The government has embarked on an enormous reforestation program in a bid to rehabilitate 59.2 million hectares of damaged forest throughout Indonesia , Forestry Minister Malam Sambat Kaban said.This…
Don’t Buy Illegally Logged Goods!
A year ago I watched a documentary about a group of environmentalists who tracked tress felled illegally and converted into logs ready for shipment. This occurred in the Amazon jungle.
Sumatran Cuckoo Rediscovered: Lampung Sumatra
A Sumatran ground cuckoo brought great delight to Indonesian ornithologists when it was recently rediscovered in Lampung , Sumatra's southernmost province, after the rare bird had been mistakenly…
Rare Striped Rabbit Found in Indonesia
I realise it is Easter time around the world and the traditional token of this holiday season is a bunny rabbit delivering Easter eggs, but, isn’t it ironic that at this special time a rare rabbit…
Is a Megaquake Due Soon?
I was talking with some of my University colleagues a while ago, and, in the course of conversation I mentioned my prediction that maybe some time soon there would be a megaquake in Indonesia and…
Juanda Forest Reserve: West Java
Indonesia is blessed with massive expanses of forests and jungles across the archipelago. In west Java not far from the city of Bandung is located the highland forest park of Juanda .
Burung Indonesia
The preservation of Indonesia’s forests and jungles , fauna and flora, should be at the forefront of every Indonesian’s thoughts.
Harapan Rainforest Initiative: Sumatra
Bird species in Indonesia number in their thousands and are a delight to watch when you are out trekking , especially in the rainforests or jungles .
Purwokerto: Central Java
Purwokerto is located in Central Java and is the main traffic junction in the south-west corner of the island. It’s an absolutely beautiful city and by that I mean very clean!.
Climbing Gunung Rinjani: Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara
Gunung Rinjani, located in the east of the island of lombok, is Indonesia's second highest peak and is eclipsed only by Mount Jayawijaya in Papua.
A Second Chance for Bali’s Marine Turtles: Bali
For years, Bali has been a hub for Indonesia’s illegal marine turtle trade, particularly in two coastal villages on Serangan islet in the southern neighbourhood of Denpasar , Bali’s main city.
PanEco Foundation: Sumatra
Another foundation whose focus is on the environment and biodiversity in Indonesia is the PanEco Foundation .
Investigation of Kampar River Pollution: Pekanbaru, Riau
As I mentioned in an article yesterday I admire organisations that are passionate about the environment and keep the Indonesian government on their toes. WAHLI does just that.
The Indonesian Forum for Environment (WALHI - Friends of the Earth Indonesia
As you all know I am passionate about the environment of Indonesia and there is, unfortunately, evil people out there bent on destroying it.
Indonesia’s Biodiversity
In yesterday’s Jakarta Post , the Editorial was excellent and one well worth reading.
Reintroduced Orangutans Give Birth: Kalimantan
Saving any endangered animal from captivity and through the processes of reintroduction return them to the wild is admirable.
Trekking Maps Available
It was about twenty years ago when some friends and I decided to embark on an expedition of sorts into the wilds of Central Java and right off the beaten track, so to speak.
The Baliem Valley: Papua
The Baliem Valley is, without a doubt, the most visited part of Papua , and in recent years tourists and travellers alike have increased in numbers.
30 Pollution Cases Reported: Palembang, South Sumatra
It seems to me that I am forever seeing articles in the media about the Indonesian environment being trashed and disrespected.
Gunung Talang on Alert: West Sumatra
Indonesia has raised the alert level for Mount Talang on Sumatra island following increased smoke and tremors, a vulcanologist said.
Indonesian Cultural Park Meeting: Pontianak, West Kalimantan
West Kalimantan will host a national meeting on Indonesian cultural parks, from July 9 to 13, 2007.
New Species of Leopard Found
Scientists have discovered that the clouded leopard found on the islands of Borneo and Sumatra is an entirely new species of cat.
Logging Threatens Lorentz National Park: Papua
When will the Indonesian Government wake up to the realisation that the country is being raped by greedy companies involved in illegal logging and destroying the natural wonders and precious…
Lorentz National Park: Papua
One of the UNESCO World's Heritage sites, Lorentz National Park has an area of 2.4 million hectares making it the largest protected area in Indonesia.
New Gorge Formed: Padang, West Sumatra
The landscape of the planet has been formed and reformed since the beginning of time by various earth forces and in particular, volcanic eruptions and earthquakes.
Kalimantan
Kalimantan , in area, takes up about three-quarters of the southern part of the island once known as Borneo.
Plastic Island: Bali
From time to time I read the letters section in the Indonesian newspapers, and, some of these make common sense and have valued arguments whether they be politically orientated or of an environmental…
White Water Rafting: Ayung River, Ubud, Bali
Indonesia has some excellent fast-river systems and a majority excellent for rafting . Some of the sections in these rivers are not for the faint hearted and is quite adventurous.
Land Grab Diminishes Rice Production: Bali
The face of Bali has changed dramatically over the last four decades from a peaceful ‘village’ to one of hectic tourism and an array of villas and houses sprouting up along the coastline.
The Future of Rhinos in Indonesia
The greatest treasures any country could possess are their environment, the wildlife that live within, and its culture.
Lunar Delights for Sky Watchers: Indonesia
It’s nice being starry eyed but there is a great delight in store on Sunday with a lunar eclipse expected in the skies above Indonesia and it is the first one for the year.
New Species Found in Indonesian Waters
The waters around the archipelago of Indonesia abound with a vast array of fish species and some mighty weird creatures.
Leuser National Park: Sumatra
Indonesia is blessed with a rich variety of flora and fauna, and, some that are not found anywhere else in the world.
Berbak Wildlife Reserve: Jambi, Sumatra
One-fifth of Sumatra's east coast, on the edge of the Melaka strait , is the location for the Berbak Wildlife Reserve .
Coal-Waste Recycling Plant Planned: Bandung, West Java
Coal is by far the most decimating of all the fossil fuels when it comes to pollution and environmental catastrophes. However, converting the waste from this fossil fuel would be advantageous.
Kangean Island: Madura, East Java
Kangean Island is the name of an island among the many islands that are stretched out east of Madura Island , of East Java.