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Mountain of Arfak

Mountain of Arfak


Mountain of Arfak
West Irian Jaya Manokwari
BEING in the mountainous region of western head cassowary birds of New Guinea. Vast stretches of tropical forest cover, lay meet the Lower Mainland to the tops of towering mountains. Make it like a giant tall stocky and long dark green robe standing on the coast of the Gulf of Paradise exquisite. This is the picture of the surrounding area Arfak mountains that are now included in the district of West Irian Jaya Manokwari (PB).

This region has been the home as well as "paradise" for a series of unique species of flora and fauna of the island's inhabitants. Expanse of tropical forest vegetation in this region has been a provider of palace life for at least four tribal 12,000 people who live here yakn; Hatam, Meyakh, Sough and Moley. The distance to this area about 35 km from the city of Manokwari. When we walk it will takes 2 day trip. But it can be reached by four wheeldrive or  motorcycle a bit complicated. Or from east to penetrate Oransbari District.

The trip to this area would be more impressive when using small-bodied aircraft Twin Otter, with a travel time of 25 minutes from the airport Rendani Manokwari. From the sky will appear a row of hills, steep slopes hills, valleys and rivers winding decorated  green jungle. Arfak mountain region spans 68325.00 hectares at coordinates 133 ° 460 '- 134 ° 150' E, 1 ° 00 '- 1 ° 30' S. It has a height of 15 meters to 2,940 meters above sea level (asl).

In areas above 1000 meters altitude, generally cold air temperature. In fact, very cold up in the bone-chilling night at 2000 meters altitude region. Based on the classification of altitude, Arfak Mountains region has a diverse representation of ecosystem types are divided into three main types of forest ecosystems namely; lowland rain forests (lowland forest) which has a height of less than 300 meters, the foot of the mountain rain forests (foothill forest) 300-1000 meters altitude rain forest and mountain slopes (lower montane forest) altitude of 1000-2800 meters.

Ekosismen zone difference it makes Arfak Mountains region rich in biodiversity value. Results expeditions over the years to find there are thousands of species of plants, 110 species of mammals have been recorded 44 species, 320 species of birds (Aves), 5 of which are endemic species in the region until Tambrauw Arfak mountains. For example, of Paradise Arfak (Astrapia nigra), Parotia west (Parotia sefilata) and birds Namdur plain (Amblyornis inornatus) which by Arfak Moley Mbrecew birds or bird called smart.

This type of whistling bird can mimic a variety of sound and able to make a nest of leaves, stems orchid forest or dry grass and then put it on the tree or the ground. For experts and researchers insect butterfly, Arfak Mountains region is known as a habitat for various species of butterflies are now coveted by collectors internationally butterfly. Call it the butterfly wing-bird (Ornithoptera arfakensis, O. rohchildi) which is one of the species of interest to researchers when visiting the region.

Because of demand, the existence of the butterfly type it started endangered. The researchers and the local community has anticipated through breeding efforts butterfly that in some places, one in Kampung Iray around the lake Cindy. Arfak Mountains region is also a habitat for species Arwob (Dodonia fiscosa), wood Masohi and thousands of other plant species. The survey results the World Food Programme (FAO) in 2005 found there are 2,770 species of orchids live here. One striking is the orchid Flame of Irian (Mucuna novaeguinea) typical rosy colored black.

This orchid species is an endangered species in the world, only to be found in Arfak Mountains region of Papua. Beragamannya wild vegetation makes this region rich in medicinal plants that could be developed to menyebuhkan disease. Arfak society itself does have the traditional knowledge of ethno-medicine in the use of certain plant species as a healer of disease or become ingredients in traditional rituals.

What is clear, Arfak Mountains region is very alluring. With such characteristics, the Government of Indonesia in 1992 have already set into a nature reserve area (CA) Arfak mountains through a decision of the Minister of Forestry No. 783 / Kpts-II / 1992 dated 11 August 1992. In that decision stipulated that this region spans an area of ​​68325.00 hectares. District covers 8 areas such as; Menyambouw, Membey, Hingk, Land Rubuh, Warmare, South Manokwari, Ransiki and Oransbari.

Wide area coverage, making the researchers so far have not been able to assess the overall potential biological diversity (biodiversity) are stored in this region. Researchers continue to compete find any species of flora and fauna that is totally new in biology, botany and taxonomy. Not surprisingly, CA area Arfak mountains into one place in the western part of the island of New Guinea is still a mystery to store various endangered species, in addition to Mamberamo Foja Mountains region. The diversity of the research object in this area also attracted ecologists and geologists.

A researcher of insects and butterflies from the Netherlands, Henk Van Mastrigt, who has decades of researching in a number of places in Papua never said that the CA region Arfak mountains like a "natural laboratory" that is valuable to science. Here is a paradise for thousands of species of flora and fauna, to the legend of the origin of fish Houn (a kind of eel). That said, the fish Houn told by the people living in the two lakes Arfak named Cindy Giji and Cindy Gita at an altitude of 2000 meters.

Exoticism CA Arfak Mountains region also supported object natural caves depth of 2,000 meters which formed thousands or even millions of years ago. Some of them are considered as the world's longest natural cave and of course the mystery of life in it. The potential advantages of natural shelter from which the traditional social and cultural life Arfak, the truth is forming its own allure. Custom house centipede and snake dance attractions Arfak so far still the main attraction for lovers of cultural tourism Papuans.

Well, actually elegance of this region has been admired since the first by the missionaries of Europe, America and Australia after the death of the first two German missionaries CW, Ottow and JG Geissler. Even long before the first two missionaries set foot, Arfak Mountains region had already become a first biological collections on the island of New Guinea who developed several European researchers such as, Lesson, Beccari and Albertis circa 1824-827 and 1872-1875.

When the region of western New Guinea dominated the Dutch-Netherlands New Guinea, Arfak Mountains region remains one of the areas of scientific expeditions researchers from various countries. As a result, it continues until now. Because elegance CA Arfak Mountains region still seize the curiosity of researchers. But unfortunately, the threat of erosion exoticism this region still exist. Development activities and discourse of regional divisions that do not pay attention to environmental protection has become the toughest challenge facing.

In fact, Manokwari District Government and the Provincial Government of West Irian Jaya (PB) should ensure that the status and function of the area CA Arfak mountains as a conservation area, following the expansion plan and Manokwari regency Arfak Mountains South. "More importantly, how to maintain the function of this region and its authenticity can be maintained," said Mujianto, executive director of the Institute for Community Development and Natural Resource Conservation (Shrubs). He said that this guarantee is important because of concern widening city and infrastructure development will be directed to this area.

The influx of investment into forests due to changes in the development paradigm and the erosion of indigenous wisdom, can create a storage area of ​​endemic species disappeared. Mujianto asserted, accelerating expansion of Bird's Head region of Papua island, especially Manokwari more potentially threatening the conservation area and create a native of urgency. Making the ring road, accelerating the expansion and the expansion of oil palm land, would be a real example that position CA Arfak mountains strategic value for the development of our local economy.

On the other hand, this region is still the main source of life and inspiration for great tribal Arfak. Those who live around this area are generally able to live by exploiting the potential of traditional forest. When the regional divisions 'stubborn' performed followed exploitation in the name of the region, it is not impossible region admired CA Arfak mountains will slowly eroded. Therefore, the importance of sustainability of a keyword. (Julian Howay)

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