Kalimantan river expedition goes on

Kalimantan river expedition goes on

PUTUSSIBAU, West Kalimantan (JP): A team exploring the
cultural richness of the regions along the Kapuas and Mahakam
rivers that stretch from west to east Kalimantan is now one third
of the way toward its objective.

The 20-member expedition team arrived here on Thursday for a
four-day stopover to explore places of interest in this town
located near the border of Sarawak.

It has clocked 942 kilometers of the length of the Kapuas
River since it set off nine days ago from Pontianak, West
Kalimantan's provincial capital.

Along the way, the "Kapuas-Mahakam Expedition 1994, Kompas-
Gramedia-Mapala UI" passed Sanggau and Sintang regencies and
Lanjak in the Batang Lupar district.

Senior journalist Rudy Badil, the team's leader, told The
Jakarta Post that he saw strong tourism potential in Sintang,
including the local museum and a hill which is ideal for
climbing.

In Ranjak, the team visited the traditional hand weaving
industry and a traditional wedding ceremony. Here in Putussibau,
the team will inspect the longest of the indigenous Dayak
traditional "Long House."

There will also be a traditional boat race and a cultural
performance.

The 40-day expedition which will end in Samarinda, East
Kalimantan, aims to promote ecotourism and agrotourism in the
area.

The expedition is to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the
historic expedition led by Anton W. Nieuwenhuis, a Dutch military
doctor, which explored the area's natural and cultural
potentials.

In addition to scientific purposes, Nieuwenhuis was also
commissioned by the Dutch ruler to end the inter-tribal wars and
head-hunting traditions which made the Dayak people infamous.

In the late 19th century, Putussibaui was an area where the
people lived in fear of head-hunting raids by the Iban tribes of
Sarawak.

Rudy said the local people have responded enthusiastically to
the expedition team, with the locals greeting them at each stop
with traditional performances.

In Putussibaui, the team was greeted by Kapuas Regent Hulu
A.M. Djapari.

Participants of the expedition jointly organized by the Kompas
newspaper, the Gramedia publishing company and Mapala UI -- the
organization for nature-lovers of the University of Indonesia --
include reporters from Kompas, Jakarta Jakarta, Hai and Kawanku.

Minister of Environment Sarwono Kusumaatmadja is scheduled to
arrive here on Wednesday. (par)