Betung Kerihun

Betung Kerihun National Park spans 800,000 hectares across the Indonesia-Malaysia border in West Kalimantan, making it one of the largest protected rainforest areas in Borneo. The park encompasses the upper catchments of the Kapuas and Embaloh rivers, which are vital waterways for the region. Dense tropical rainforest covers rugged mountainous terrain, with Mount Kerihun rising to 1,790 meters as the park's highest peak. This remote wilderness harbors exceptional biodiversity, including orangutans, clouded leopards, sun bears, and over 300 bird species. The park's forests form part of the critically important Heart of Borneo conservation area, a transboundary initiative protecting one of Southeast Asia's last remaining rainforest wildernesses. Indigenous Dayak communities have inhabited these forests for centuries, maintaining traditional practices and deep cultural connections to the land.

Betung Kerihun was officially designated as a national park in 1995, though conservation efforts in the region began earlier in the 1980s when the Indonesian government recognized the ecological significance of the upper Kapuas watershed. The park's creation was part of a broader initiative to protect Borneo's diminishing rainforests from logging and agricultural conversion. In 2006, Betung Kerihun achieved international recognition when it was designated as a Transboundary Ramsar Site alongside Malaysia's Lanjak Entimau Wildlife Sanctuary, forming the Lanjak Entimau-Betung Kerihun Transboundary Rainforest. This designation acknowledged the critical role these forests play in maintaining regional hydrological systems and supporting migratory species. The park has since become a focal point for transboundary conservation cooperation between Indonesia and Malaysia, with joint management initiatives addressing issues like illegal logging and wildlife trafficking. Ongoing research programs continue to document the park's biodiversity, regularly discovering species new to science in this under-explored wilderness.

Betung Kerihun remains one of Indonesia's most remote and challenging national parks to visit, with access requiring multi-day river journeys or chartered flights to nearby airstrips. The park headquarters is located in Lanjak, which can be reached by road from Pontianak, the capital of West Kalimantan, followed by a river journey up the Kapuas River. Limited visitor facilities exist within the park itself, with most exploration conducted through guided expeditions organized by specialized ecotourism operators. Traditional longhouses in Dayak villages surrounding the park offer basic accommodation and authentic cultural experiences for adventurous travelers. The best time to visit is during the dry season from May to September when river levels are more manageable, though the park experiences rainfall year-round. Visitors must obtain permits from park authorities and typically arrange local guides from Dayak communities who possess intimate knowledge of the forest trails and river systems. Essential preparations include antimalarial medication, waterproof gear, and comprehensive travel insurance.

Conservation efforts in Betung Kerihun focus on protecting intact rainforest ecosystems while supporting sustainable livelihoods for indigenous communities. The park faces ongoing challenges from illegal logging, particularly along its more accessible borders, and from wildlife poaching targeting species like orangutans and hornbills. Park rangers conduct regular patrols, often collaborating with Malaysian counterparts across the border to combat transboundary environmental crimes. Community-based conservation programs work with Dayak villages to develop alternative income sources such as sustainable rattan harvesting and ecotourism that reduce pressure on forest resources. The park plays a crucial role in maintaining the hydrological integrity of the Kapuas River basin, which supports millions of people downstream. Climate change monitoring programs track changes in rainfall patterns and forest composition that could affect this vital watershed. Scientific research initiatives continue to document the park's biodiversity, with recent studies revealing healthy populations of endangered species and highlighting the park's importance as a genetic reservoir for Borneo's threatened wildlife.