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)