| Alas Purwo National Park | |
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IUCN Category II (National Park)
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Banteng (Bos javanicus) in the national park |
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Alas Purwo NP
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| Location | East Java, Indonesia |
| Nearest city | Banyuwangi |
| Area | 434.20 km² |
| Established | 1993 |
| Visitors | 14,720 (in 2006[1]) |
| Governing body | Ministry of Forestry |
Alas Purwo National Park is situated on Blambangan Peninsula in Banyuwangi regency, at the southeastern tip of East Java province. The park is famous for its wild Banteng and surfing location at Grajakan Bay.
The park's name means first forest or ancient forest,[2] in accordance with a Javanese legend that says the earth first emerged from the ocean here.
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The park is located in Blambangan Peninsula at the southeastern tip of Java island, along the shore of strait across Bali.
With an area of 434 km², the park is made up of 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. Mount Linggamanis (322m) is also located in this national park.
Endangered flora, protected in this national park include: Terminalia catappa, Calophyllum inophyllum, Sterculia foetida, Barringtonia asiatica and Manilkara kauki.[3]
It is home to some of Java’s endangered species, such as the Javanese bull (Bos javanicus) or Banteng. In April 2004, there were only 57 bulls found in the savanna of Sadengan, while the population in the previous year was estimated to be 80 to 100,[4] but in August 2010, the scientists found 73 Banteng in the 80-hectare savanna area, a big increase in 6 years, although they faced threats of poaching and lose of habitat.[5] Groups of bulls usually come to Sadengan in the morning and afternoon in search of plants.
The biggest threat to the bull are humans. Poachers set traps outside the park during the dry season to snare bulls wandering outside the park in search of water. The bulls are slaughtered and the meat sold.
Other threatened animal species protected in Alas Purwo include the Dhole, Silvered Leaf Monkey, Green Peafowl, Red Junglefowl, Olive Ridley, Hawksbill turtle and Green turtle.[3]
Between the months of April and September, thousands of surfers from all over the world visit the park for its surfing place. The destination is Plengkung Beach on Grajakan bay, also known as G-Land, which is about half a day's travel from Bali.
The beach is considered one the best surfing spots in Asia.[6] With surf break of 5m it is considered a spot for experienced surfer only. The place is listed as Quicksilver World Tour Circuit. [7]
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