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.