Wasur National Park in Merauke, South Papua has the largest wet savanna forest in Indonesia

SOUTH PAPUA – Wasur National Park has the largest wetland area in Indonesia and one of the national parks located in eastern Indonesia is Wasur National Park. This national park is located in the southeastern part of South Papua Province, precisely in Merauke Regency and this area has the largest wet savanna forest in Indonesia, even in Asia, this kind of natural condition makes the Wasur National Park area has extraordinary biodiversity.

It has an area of approximately 413,810 hectares spread across three districts, namely:

1. Sota District,
2. Naukenjerai,
3. Merauke.

To enter Wasur National Park is not far from the city center of Merauke, it only takes approximately 20 minutes, because it has a lot of diversity and not infrequently this place is also used as a place to travel or even research.

Types of flora and fauna diversity found in Wasur National Park, ranging from species:

1. Endemic,
2. Rare,
3. Protected,

Migrant species from neighboring countries.

Flora found in the Wasur National Park area are:

1. Eucalyptus,
2. Tancang,
3. Fire,
4. Ketapang.

In addition, there are also other plants such as:

1. Sago (Metroxylon sago),
2. Bamboo,
3. Tropical Banksia,
4. Acacia,
5. Golden guinea tree or red beech,
6. Pandanus,
7. Giant carrion flower,
8. Types of ferns,
9. Various types of orchids.

Wasur National Park can be said to be the kingdom of birds and there are at least 403 species of birds with 74 endemic species and 114 protected ones living in the Wasur National Park area, in this area there are migratory birds from Australia and New Zealand such as ibis (Threskiornithidae), magpie geese (Anseranas semipalmata), spoon beaks (Calidris pygmaea), stoats (Charadrius leschenaultii), gray heron (Ardea cinerea), and pelican (Pelecanus conspicillatus) and as for other bird species that inhabit nature in this national park include the irian eagle (Harpyopsis novaeguineae), paradise (Paradisaeidae), cockatoo (Cacatuidae), mambruk (Goura sp), alapapapal (Falconidae), namdur (Ptilonorhynchidae), grouse (Dendrocygna arcuata), heron (Ardea sp), and so on.

The large number of bird species that depend on the Wasur National Park area as their habitat is because this national park is a wetland ecosystem that is very important for water birds in Indonesia, especially migratory birds from Australia and New Zealand, therefore this area has such an important meaning for international interests as a stopover for thousands of migratory birds.

In addition to wetland areas that serve as “transit areas” for migratory birds, other areas such as grassland areas, Blue Swamp Lake, Dogamit Swamp, Blitar Swamp, and Ndalir Beach. Ndalir Beach and Digamit Swamp are also visited by migratory shorebirds every year from August to November.

The perfect time to observe migratory birds in the Wasur National Park area is in October and that is when birds from the east migrate to the western region and stop at Wasur National Park with the aim of resting in search of warmth and breeding. Some of the migratory bird species that can be observed include:

1. Coastal terns,
2. Black-billed gull,
3. Undan kacamata,
4. Jambon terns,
5. Australian kirik-kirik,
6. Black-necked terns.

In Wasur National Park, birdwatching and bird census activities are usually centered around Rawa Biru.

In addition to birds, Wasur National Park also has approximately 80 species of mammals of which 32 species are endemic to Papua, for fish species there are approximately 34 species out of 72 estimated to exist, this national park is also home to 21 species of reptiles and 3 species of amphibians and while insects are still no data obtained.

Communities living in the buffer zone of Wasur National Park have also begun to look at these opportunities, as is done by the people of Kuler Village, Naukenjerai District, Merauke, this stems from the involvement of the Kuler Village Government by the Wasur National Park Office through a conservation partnership in managing the Ndalir Beach and Dolomite Swamp areas and both are migratory bird watching destinations that are visited by many tourists, both domestic and foreign.

In addition, the government through the National Park Office also conducts counseling and socialization about the importance of preserving Wasur National Park and invites the community, especially in Kuler Village, to be involved in maintaining its beauty. The community is invited to manage existing resources more effectively and efficiently, to then be sold and this also aims to improve the economy of the Kuler Village community and will be an important point in maintaining and preserving Wasur National Park, so that local people do not exploit natural resources that cause damage, and consciously take part in protecting nature.