Alas Purwo National Park
A Javanese park of ancient forest, banteng, and world-class surf.
Alas Purwo National Park lies on the Blambangan Peninsula in the Banyuwangi Regency, at the southeastern tip of East Java. Its name comes from a Javanese legend that the earth first rose from the ocean here, meaning "first forest" or "ancient forest." Covering 434 square kilometers, the park contains mangroves, savanna, lowland monsoon forests, and beaches fringed with coral. Mount Linggamanis, rising 322 meters, is within its boundaries. The park is known for its wild banteng and for the surf break at Plengkung on Grajagan Bay.
The park protects trees such as Terminalia catappa, Calophyllum inophyllum, Sterculia foetida, Barringtonia asiatica, and Manilkara kauki. Endangered species found here include the banteng, dhole, Javan langur, green peafowl, red junglefowl, olive ridley, hawksbill turtle, and green turtle. Banteng numbers in the 80-hectare Sadengan savanna fluctuated: in 2003, an estimated 80 to 100 were present; by April 2004, only 57 remained; by August 2010, the count had risen to 73. The main threat to banteng is poaching, with traps set outside the park during the dry season when animals wander out for water. The meat is then sold. Habitat loss also endangers them.
From March to November, surfers from around the world come to Plengkung Beach, also called G-Land, about half a day's travel from Bali. The waves can reach 5 meters, making it a spot for experienced surfers only, and it is listed on the Quicksilver World Tour Circuit.
Quick Facts
- Iucn Category
- II
- Location
- East Java, Indonesia
- Nearest City
- Banyuwangi
- Established
- 1992
- Visitation Num
- 14,720
- Visitation Year
- 2006
- Governing Body
- Ministry of Environment and Forestry
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The park's name means 'first forest' or 'ancient forest,' following a Javanese legend that the earth first emerged from the ocean here. It is situated on the Blambangan Peninsula along the shore of the strait across Bali. The park comprises mangroves, savanna, lowland monsoon forests, and coral-fringed beaches. An internationally renowned surf break peels along the edge of the park at Plengkung on Grajagan Bay, also known as G-Land, which is about half a day's travel from Bali. Between March and November, thousands of surfers visit for waves up to 5 meters, considered a spot for experienced surfers only, and listed as Quicksilver World Tour Circuit.
Reader's Guide
Alas Purwo National Park is significant for its conservation of endangered species, particularly the banteng (Bos javanicus). The park's savanna of Sadengan has seen fluctuating banteng populations: 57 in April 2004, an estimated 80–100 the previous year, and 73 in August 2010. Herds come to Sadengan in the morning and afternoon to search for plants. The biggest threat to bantengs is humans, who set traps outside the park during the dry season to snare animals wandering in search of water; the meat is then sold. Other threatened species protected here include the dhole, Javan langur, green peafowl, red junglefowl, olive ridley, hawksbill turtle, and green turtle. The park also protects flora such as Terminalia catappa, Calophyllum inophyllum, Sterculia foetida, Barringtonia asiatica, and Manilkara kauki. Its legacy includes being a key habitat for Java's wildlife and a premier surfing destination in Asia.
Did You Know?
- In August 2010, scientists found 73 bantengs in the 80-hectare savanna area of Sadengan, a big increase from 57 in April 2004.
- The surf break at Plengkung Beach, also known as G-Land, offers rideable waves up to 5 meters and is listed as Quicksilver World Tour Circuit.
- Poachers set traps outside the park during the dry season to snare bantengs wandering in search of water, then slaughter them and sell the meat.
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