JP\/5\/ORCHID<\/p>\n
Black orchid could lure tourists back to Poso<\/p>\n
Ruslan Sangadji
\nThe Jakarta Post\/Poso<\/p>\n
While it is remains troubled by religious conflicts, the regency
\nof Poso is one of the few in Central Sulawesi province with a
\ngreat potential for tourism.<\/p>\n
Besides having the beautiful and unspoiled Tentena Lake, the
\nregency is also home to the Lore and Megalith national parks and
\nthe beautiful Natural Orchid Park in Bancea, South Pamona, some
\n80 kilometers south of Poso city.<\/p>\n
At least 55 types of rare orchids grow in the 5,000 hectare
\narea, one of the most attractive and sought-after being the black
\norchid, which only blooms between October and December each year.<\/p>\n
Mardison Ba'u, a local resident, said that the black orchid
\nwas not only beautiful, but also valued for its medicinal
\nproperties, especially its ability to help cure wounds.<\/p>\n
The park can be reached from Poso in a one and a-half hour
\ndrive to Tentena, a small island on the tip of Lake Poso. A boat
\nride to the town of Bancea takes another 15 minutes.<\/p>\n
At the right time of year it is easy to see the black orchid
\non the trip, which grows wild in nature. But its wise to beware
\nof the local prohibition which forbids locals and visitors alike
\nfrom taking the flowers out of the area, a move designed to help
\nbring visitors back to the spot.<\/p>\n
Before the widespread sectarian conflict broke out in Poso
\nregency in 2000, the combination of the scenery and the orchids
\nattracted between 20 and 35 foreign tourists a year, the Poso
\nTourism Office says. However, few if any foreign tourists are
\nknown to have visited the area since.<\/p>\n
As the region slowly returns to normalcy, the Poso government
\nis attempting to entice tourists back, with one initiative being
\nthe One Million Orchid Movement, a beautification program
\ndesigned to encourage the planting of a million orchids in the
\narea.<\/p>\n
\"Through this movement, the government has encouraged people
\nto grow orchids, notably the black one, in their respective
\nhomes,\" Poso acting regent Andi Azikin Suyuti said.<\/p>\n
The prettier the area was, the more people would visit and the
\norchids could provide much needed revenue for the locals, Andi
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
\"Foreign tourists will be happy when they see more orchids
\nhere, while at the same time the residents can sell them the
\norchids as it is prohibited to take them from the wild,\" Andi
\nsaid.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/jp5orchid-1447899208",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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