Way Kambas National Park is a national park of elephant protection located in Lampung precisely in Labuhan Ratu District, East Lampung, Indonesia. In addition to Way Kambas, elephant school (Elephant Training Center) can also be found in Minas, Riau. The Sumatran Elephant (Elephas maximus sumatranus) that lives in this region is decreasing in number. Way Kambas National Park was established in 1985 as the first elephant school in Indonesia. With the name of the Elephant Training Center (PLG) but since the last few years its name has changed into Elephant Conservation Center (PKG) which is expected to be the center of elephant conservation in taming, training, breeding and conservation. Until now this PKG has trained about 300 elephants that have been spread throughout the country. In Way Kambas also tedapat International Rhino Foundation which is in charge of keeping the species of rhino not threatened extinct.
History of Way Kambas National Park
The history of Way Kambas National Park is one of two conservation areas in the form of a national park in Lampung Province in addition to Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park (TNBBS). Determined by Decree of the Minister of Forestry No. 670 / Kpts-II / 1999 dated 26 August 1999, TNWK area has an area of approximately 125,631.31 ha.
Gaeografis Way Kambas National Park is located between 40 ° 37 '- 50 ° 16' South Latitude and between 105 ° 33 '- 105 ° 54' East Longitude. Located in the southeastern part of Sumatra Island in Lampung Province. In 1924 the Way Kambas and Branch forest areas were set aside as protected forest areas, along with several forest areas incorporated therein.
Based on the history of Establishment of Way Kambas nature conservation area started since 1936 by Resident Lampung, Mr. Rookmaker, and followed by the Decree of the Governor of the Netherlands dated January 26, 1937 Stbl 1937 Number 38.
In 1978 the Way Kambas Wildlife Sanctuary was changed into Nature Conservation Area (KPA) by the Minister of Agriculture by Decree of the Minister of Agriculture No. 429 / Kpts-7/1978 dated July 10, 1978 and managed by the Sub Territory of Nature Conservation Area (SBKPA).
Nature Conservation Area is converted into Natural Resources Conservation Area (KSDA) managed by SBKSDA with an area of 130,000 ha. In 1985 with the Decree of the Minister of Forestry No. 177 / Kpts-II / 1985 dated October 12, 1985. On April 1, 1989 coincided with the National Conservation Week in Kaliurang Yogyakarta, it was declared as the Way Kambas National Park area based on the Decree of the Minister of Forestry No. 444 / Menhut-II / 1989 dated 1 April 1989 with an area of 130,000 ha.
Then in 1991 based on the Decree of the Minister of Forestry number 144 / Kpts / II / 1991 dated 13 March 1991 declared as Way Kambas National Park, where its management by Way Kambas Natural Resource Conservation Sub-Division responsible directly to the Natural Resource Conservation Center II Tanjung Karang. Under the Decree of the Minister of Forestry No. 185 / Kpts-II / 1997 dated 13 March 1997, the Way Kambas Natural Resource Conservation Sub-Office was declared as Way Kambas National Park.
History The reason for establishing the area as a conservation area is to protect wildlife rich areas, including tapir (Tapirus indicus), Sumatran elephant (Elephas maximus sumatranus), six primate species, sambar deer (Cervus unicolor), deer ( Muntiacus muntjak), Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris), sun bear. Sumatran rhinos at that time have not been found so as not one of the considerations used as the basis of its determination.
However, after the establishment of a wildlife reserve for almost twenty years, especially during the period 1968 - 1974, the area suffered severe habitat destruction, when the area was cleared for Forest Concession, this area and all its contents including animals, many experienced damage.
Of the species, up to now its existence is well preserved, among others known as the Big Five mammals namely tapir (Tapirus indicus), Sumatran elephant (Elephant maximus sumatranus), Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris), Sumatran rhino (Diserohinus sumatranus) and the sun bear (Helarctos malayanus)
Flora and fauna
In Way Kambas National Park, there are endangered animals including Sumatran Rhinos, Sumatran Elephants, Sumatran Tigers, Mentok Rimba, Crocodiles sepit. For many plants found Fire-fire, Pidada, Nipah, pandanus. On the coastal side of Way Kambas National Park are swampy also often found various types of birds including Stork Tongtong, Sempidan Biru, Kuau king, East Pependang Bird, and several other birds.
Way Kambas Forest Ecosystem
Kambas National Park Located at an altitude between 0-50 m asl with flat topography to the slopes, the area has 4 (four) main ecosystem types ie lowland rain forest ecosystem, swamp forest ecosystem, mangrove ecosystem, coastal forest ecosystem.
The main identifier of the existence of the ecosystem is characterized by its vegetation formation. In addition there are also types of transitional ecosystems such as riparian ecosystems. The ecosystem is formed due to the change from one ecosystem to another ecosystem. An example is the vegetation formation from land to water.
Lowland rainforest ecosystems dominate in the western region. This area lies in the highest area compared with others. The dominating species are meranti (Shorea sp), rengas (Gluta renghas), keruing (Dipterocarpus sp), puspa (Schima walichii) and many other species. The ecosystem averages a fairly high level of biodiversity, with a complete canopy stratum, so that the types of flora and fauna are quite diverse
Riparian ecosystems in way kambas are not the prevalent ecosystems that have been known so far. This ecosystem is located in the transition zone between water and land, so it has not been categorized into the existing ecosystem. As the territory or water body of the place of unity increases, the greater the ecosystem. Some common types of transition zones include putts, and some types of vines / lianas.
Coastal forest ecosystems in way kambas or better known beaches, these are characterized by environmental conditions located near the sea but do not get a good pool of sea water and freshwater. With this type of soil is usually dominated by sand. This coastal forest ecosystem is especially located along the east coast of Way Kambas National Park. One of the founders of coastal forests is ketapang (Terminalia cattapa), sea pine (Casuarina equisetifolia).
The mangrove / brackish forest ecosystem at way kambas is located around the coast where there is a change / salination between saltwater and freshwater on a regular basis. Generally located along the east coast of TN Way Kambas region. This ecosystem has a real role or benefit in supporting the source of human life. As a place to live and breed for species of fish and sea shrimp. So keep the level of supply of fish supply and other biota. Around the Way Kambas TN Coast has stood hundreds of charts used to catch squid, mounting nets to catch fish around the coast, thus it is a sign that with the Way Kambas Way it provides a good marine environment so that marine life can live well.
Wetland forest ecosystems in way kambas mainly occupy in the area around the river is located mainly in the eastern region. The ecosystem is formed because of the area or area that flooded relatively long ago due to the area is lower than the surrounding area. Type of soil has a fairly high acidity level, the decomposition process is relatively long. The level of biodiversity is quite high. Bird species prefer the swamp forest ecosystem. The dominant species for swamp forest are Nephenthes or Semar bag, Red Palm, Pandanus and Nibung. One of the main features of swamp vegetation has knee root and tunggang.
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