Sungai Wain shows its natural beauty

Sungai Wain shows its natural beauty

BALIKPAPAN, East Kalimantan (Antara): Balikpapan, nicknamed the "oil city", offers more than just the routine, dull sight of seemingly endless lines of barrels belonging to the state company Pertamina. Few people are aware that the city boasts charming ecotourism spots.

Taman Wana Wisata Sungai (River) Wain is possibly one of the best places for ecotourism enthusiasts.

Balikpapan regent Tjutjup Suparna has said the local government is developing the tremendous ecotourism potentials in the area, especially Sungai Wain.

Sungai Wain is a 15 hectare park located just about 15 kilometers north of Balikpapan, to the left of the Balikpapan- Samarinda highway.

It has a gorgeous valley challenging visitors with adventurous spirits. The natural landscape is breathtaking. The typical tranquility is broken only by the sounds of nature: birds singing, insects chirping and leaves rustling.

The forest managed by the state-owned forestry company PT Inhutani I can be reached by a public bus that will take about 10 minutes and cost you a mere Rp 1,000.

The government is planning to develop Sungai Wain not only for ecotourism but also for educational and research purposes. Upstream grows 125 species of trees endemic to Kalimantan.

There are also hundreds of orangutans which were formerly "rehabilitated" at the Samboja Research Forest after they were rescued from their habitat that was being severely threatened by logging and poaching.

Smaller monkeys, deer and hornbills also abound. Swarming downstream are various species of fresh water fish.

Sungai Wain is relatively safe from human encroachment and therefore the various flora and fauna live undisturbed.

The river is about 18 kilometers long, an ideal distance for jungle trekking. Visitors can go from Balikpapan by speedboat and enjoy nature along the way: forests, brown monkeys, long-tailed monkeys, and long-nosed monkeys swaying on the trees on the riverbanks. Crocodiles are often sighted under the ubiquitous mangroves. Hills and valleys are also of great attraction.

Sungai Wain is also designed as a good place for family outings. Available there is a camping ground with bathrooms, rest rooms, a parking lot and a mosque.

Sungai Wain offers a wide variety of natural beauties.