Sangkulirang-Mangkalihat Karst
Karst area in Borneo with ancient cave paintings.
The Sangkulirang-Mangkalihat Karst is a limestone landscape spanning 105,000 hectares across the Sub Kelay, Biatan, Talisayan, Batu Putih, and Biduk-biduk Berau districts of East Kalimantan, on the Indonesian portion of Borneo. It encompasses the Mangkalihat Peninsula. The site was put forward for UNESCO World Heritage listing in May 2015, and its cave paintings were part of the area designated as a UNESCO Global Geopark in April 2018. The paintings have been the focus of preservation work by Indonesia’s Heritage Preservation Hall (BPCB). The nearest major airports are Sultan Aji Muhammad Sulaiman Sepinggan Airport in Balikpapan or Kalimarau Airport in Berau.
The karst lies upstream of five major rivers in Berau and East Kutai: the Tabalar, Lesan, Pesab, Bengalon, and Karangan Rivers. Ancient relics found here include caves, palms, and the bones and teeth of prehistoric animals. A 2004 biological expedition by The Nature Conservancy and the Indonesian Institute of Sciences recorded 120 bird species, 200 insect species, one giant cockroach, 400 plant species, and 50 fish species. Orangutan habitat exists in the Beriun Mountain area.
Quick Facts
- Location
- East Kutai Regency and Berau Regency, East Kalimantan, Indonesia
- Area
- 105,000 ha
- Nearest City
- Samarinda
Facts from the source article.
Reader's Guide
The Sangkulirang-Mangkalihat Karst holds significance as a site of ancient cave paintings that have been researched extensively by Indonesia's Heritage Preservation Hall (BPCB) for preservation. Its nomination for UNESCO World Heritage status in May 2015 and suggestion as a Geopark in April 2017 highlight its cultural and geological importance. The area's biodiversity, documented by a 2004 expedition, includes hundreds of species of birds, insects, flora, and fish, as well as orangutan habitat. The karst spans multiple districts and covers 105,000 hectares, serving as a watershed for five major rivers. Its legacy lies in its combination of prehistoric art, ecological richness, and ongoing conservation efforts.
Did You Know?
- The Sangkulirang-Mangkalihat Karst covers 105,000 hectares including the Mangkalihat Peninsula.
- It was nominated for UNESCO World Heritage Site inclusion in May 2015.
- A 2004 expedition identified 400 species of flora and one giant cockroach in the area.
More in World Heritage Sites in Indonesia 1-21
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