30,000 ha for national park

KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: West Sumba regent Rudolf Malo has agreed to develop 30,000 hectares of forest into a national park in Langgaliru, Manupeu and Poronumbo subdistricts.

The project has been initiated by the agency for natural resources conservation and the Bird Life International Indonesia Program.

Malo said the forest boasts more than 100 tree species and 76 bird species, five of which are endemic to Sumba and endangered.

The forest is also home to almost 100 butterfly species, four of those endemic to East Nusa Tenggara.

In a recent survey, the Jakarta-based Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) identified 23 fungi species and 42 herb species. (yac/pan)