E. Kalimantan offers beaches, crocodiles
E. Kalimantan offers beaches, crocodiles
By Sutoro T.
SAMARINDA, East Kalimantan (Antara): Thousands of crocodiles
are basking in the sun waiting for visitors. A vast area in
Makromang village, Samarinda Ilir district, has been developed
into solid pools to accommodate the reptiles.
This is surely not an attraction for timid tourists.
And visitors have to be careful. They are prohibited from
approaching the walls of the pool as a preventive measure. They
must also form groups and be accompanied by an employee of the
farm.
In order to attract visitors, several pools have been
constructed to accommodate thousands of crocodiles, from the
smallest to those which are ready for skinning. On the grounds
there is also a place for processing and tanning the skin of the
crocodiles.
The crocodile breeding farm at Makromang employs over 2,000
workers, who are mostly from transmigration projects in the
1970s.
When it was built in 1982, this site had only half a hectare
of land and two male and 12 female crocodiles. After 18 years,
there has been a tremendous increase of up to 3,000 crocodiles.
Meanwhile the breeding of biawak (monitor lizards) accounts
for more than 8,000, which are accommodated in an area measuring
20 hectares. The breeders also receive supplies of reptiles from
people outside. Crocodile and biawak leather is exported to
several countries.
The development of the crocodile village into an ecotourism
attraction takes into account the preservation of nature and the
habitat of the wild animals in order to strike an environmental
balance.
Even though it is worth visiting, it fails to attract local
and foreign tourists.
Makromang village is situated 11 kilometers from Samarinda.
Public transportation to cover the distance costs Rp 1,500. From
Jakarta, it takes about two hours by air.
The crocodile farm is not the only tourist attraction in
Samarinda. In Mahakam, Makromang has become part of the network
of the Pampang cultural tourism package. The Citra
Niaga/Lembusuana area for shopping and the Tanah Merah waterfall
are all in Samarinda. A package tour should include all these
sites.
The row of jungkung (dugout canoes) moored on the white sand
beach along the coast of Tanjung Harapan recreation park at Kuala
village, Kutai regency, is also an attraction for family
tourists. The coast faces the Makassar Strait.
The crests of shady casuarina trees and coconut trees along
the coast seem to invite tourists to come and relax. The
beautiful scenery, the coolness provided by the trees and the
cleanliness are suitable for families in search of recreation and
for students to go camping during school holidays.
Kutai regency as the second biggest tourist destination in
East Kalimantan province has the vastest territory. It has also
the greatest number of beautiful and attractive sites which are
popular with tourists. Tanjung Harapan Recreation Park is one
such tourist attraction.
The park, located 14 kilometers from the fork at kilometer 48
of the Balikpapan-Samarinda main road, is easy to reach by public
transportation. This park is provided with an information center,
a stage, bathrooms, restrooms, an observation tower and eateries.
Visitors can take a rest in tents while enjoying fresh bandeng
(a kind of milkfish), cooked or grilled. The proximity of fish
ponds ensures a fresh catch of fish every time. The vendors are
ready to catch and clean the fish.
The high observation tower allows tourists to photograph the
enchanting panorama on land and at sea. The moderately high waves
and the adequate cleanliness of the environment add to the park's
agreeable condition.
An admission ticket to Tanjung Harapan Park costs Rp 500 only.