Voyage to Kalimantan's rivers to start today
JAKARTA (JP): A 40-day expedition to explore the natural and cultural richness of the regions along the Kapuas and Mahakam rivers which cut across Kalimantan from west to east will start today.
The expedition called "Kapuas-Mahakam Expedition 1994, Kompas- Gramedia-Mapala UI" is held to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the historic expedition conducted by a Dutch military doctor Anton W. Nieuwenhuis to explore the natural and cultural potentials of the area.
In addition to scientific purposes, Nieuwenhuis also brought the mission by the Dutch colonial ruler to end the inter-tribal wars and head-hunting among the Dayak indigenous people.
This tradition at one time earned the Dayak tribes the fearsome reputation as head hunters.
Alfons Taryadi, the expedition project head said yesterday that among the targets of the Rp 250 million-expedition is the promotion of ecotourism and agrotourism in the area.
"We will also publish a book," he said, adding that the expedition will hopefully promote the efforts to preserve the environment in Kalimantan.
The expedition is jointly organized by Kompas newspaper, the Gramedia publishing company and Mapala UI, the organization for nature lovers at the University of Indonesia.
It will start in Pontianak, the capital of West Kalimantan and end in Samarinda, the capital of East Kalimantan.
An advance team has done research in the remote areas of the two provinces, the results of which will be presented at the Borneo Research Council Third Biennial Conference in Pontianak next month.
Participants in the expedition include reporters working for Kompas and other publications published by Gramedia such as Jakarta Jakarta, Hai, Kawanku and Foto Media.
During the expedition, the participants will also cruise along the Kapuas and Mahakam rivers.
Minister of Environment Sarwono Kusumaatmadja and Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono are scheduled to join the expedition team at certain points.
University of Indonesia rector Dr. Tadjuddin and Kompas- Gramedia group chairman Jakob Oetama will see off the delegation. (par)