Word: Ayu Arman
The Yapen Islands, which are located in the Cenderawasih Bay area, have abundant natural resources.The sea (4,713.16 km2) is twice as wide as the land (2,432.49 km2).The ocean does not only present beauty, but also a treasure trove of fishery potential and high-quality types of seaweed.
Starting from coffee, various fruits, especially durian and matoa, and various vegetables. The forest is a nature reserve area which has a high diversity of flora and fauna throughout Papua. Seeing the natural resource potential of the Yapen Islands, this area is developing three economic sectors. Specifically, the development of tourism, fisheries and agriculture.
Previously on August 2022, I had the opportunity to go to the Yapen islands. I mappedthe potential of natural beauty, both on land and sea. There are approximately 20 tourism potential objects spread across 16 districts in the Yapen Islands Regency.
First, the nature reserve forest. Approximately 70% of the forests in the Yapen Islands are included in the conservation forest area of nature reserves. This area is located in the middle of Yapen Island, extending from east to west along 105.6 km with an area of 59,600 ha. This area has a fairly high biodiversity. There are many types of flora and fauna founded. One of them, registered 126 species of trees and various plants of orchids, butterflies, bats, fresh fish, bees, shrimp, crabs, snakes, cuscus, Papuan porcupines, tree kangaroos, land kangaroos, wild boars, rats, deer and birds.
There are 134 varieties of bird species in the Yapen nature reserved forest. Among them are 4 types of Cendrawasih birds and Namdur birds or known as the golden-fronted bowerbird. The bowerbird and The Cendrawasih are protected based on the Regulation of the Minister of Environment and Forestry Number 106 of 2018.
The various potential of flora and fauna that I have summarized fully detailed yet still haven’t described the condition of the rich biodiversity of the Yapen nature reserve forest because there are still so many untouched areas. This is a knowledge challenge and a challenge to protect our natural heritage.
To reach this nature reserve area, we can access it by walking which is approximately 50 km away, crossing Kontiunai Village and Ambaidiru Village. By driving a car, it takes approximately 2 hours to drive from Serui City.
Second, observing The Cendrawasih Birds. The Yapen nature reserve forest is a crossing path for this unique and endemic bird in Papua. However, there are Cendrawasih observation spots that are often visited by tourists, locally known as the forests of Kampung Barawai, Aisau, Sawendui, Aikakopa and Awado. The birds can be seen up close from 06.00 am to 10.00 am. In the evening, the bird of paradise is seen at 16.00 until it gets darkens.
Third, the high summit of Ambaidiru. The summit is located in the Muman Mountains, with an altitude between 800-1,000 meters above sea level. Since the Yapen Ring Road was built and connected all the districts and villages properly, Ambaidiru has now become a tourist spot for the Yapens and outsider people, especially those who enjoy coffee. At Mamara peak, there is a coffee shop called Rumah Kopi. Rumah Kopi is a shop to enjoy coffee produced by the community around the Muman Mountains and the natural scenery of the Yapen Mountains. Interestingly, Ambaidiru coffee, which is located in the Kakupi, Paputum and Kituntu Forests, has been planted since the Dutch era. The coffee is extraordinarily unique because the average age of coffee trees is usually only 25 years. These coffees are still straightened and bear fruit until now.