Kersik Luway, sanctuary for wild orchids
Kersik Luway, sanctuary for wild orchids
The Jakarta Post, Samarinda, East Kalimantan
White soft sand covered by shrubs and tall grass. Clumps of
trees with yellowish leaves blanketed in the afternoon mist. This
is Kersik Luway Nature Reserve from a distance.
Anyone entering the reserve would be struck with amazement at
its beauty. But it holds more than natural beauty. Kersik Luway
is home to hundreds of East Kalimantan's wild orchids that are
now on the verge extinction as forests succumb to deforestation
and forest fires.
Located 18 kilometers from Melak, West Kutai regency, Kersik
Luway occupies 5,000 hectares of area. Near the entrance to the
reserve, on some 400 hectares of area, are 70 species of East
Kalimantan's wild orchids. Previously, it had around 80 species
but 10 of them were destroyed in a forest fire in 1997.
East Kalimantan has at least 300 species of wild orchids. Wild
orchids are difficult to cultivate and once their habitat is
damaged, it will be almost impossible for the orchids to survive.
The damage caused by the 1997 fire was therefore a big loss to
the nation.
The reserve owes its popularity to its rare Black Orchid
(Coelogyne pandurata). Growing in shrubs, the Black Orchid
blossoms between April and December. In fact, that is the best
period to visit the reserve when all the orchids are in full
bloom and all you can see is a plethora of colorful orchids.
Forest fires remain the main threat to the reserve. Kersik
Luway, according to the reserve's forest rangers, has been hit by
forest fires four times. The first was in 1982, then 1994, 1997
and 2000.
Signs of the fires are still evident. Charcoal tree barks can
be seen standing, while tall grass and shrubs dominate the vast
landscape. Despite the scars, the reserve still holds its beauty.
There are various means of transportation to reach the reserve
from Samarinda, which is around 170 kilometers from Kersik Luway.
The most comfortable way is to take a boat from Samarinda to
Melak. The trip takes around 22 to 24 hours. The boat ride costs
Rp 55,000 for one way.
Another way is to go by car, which can take six hours.
However, the trip by car can be exhausting as the dirt road from
Samarinda to Melak is bumpy.
Accommodation might be a bit of a problem too as Melak does
not have big hotels. Only small inns are available in the quiet
town. Locals are more than happy to accommodate guests in their
houses.
Journalists and researchers must have a special permit to
enter the reserve. The permit can be obtained at the Ministry of
Forestry in Jakarta or the Natural Resources Conservation Office
in Samarinda. But the beauty that awaits visitors is worth all
the trouble and discomfort.