The National Park of Meru Betiri on East Java
The Meru Betiri National Park is extending over an area of 580 km² of which a small part is marine 8.45 km². The beaches of the park provide nesting ground for the endangered Leatherback turtles, Hawksbill turtles, Green turtles, and Olive Ridley turtles. The Meru Betiri National Park has a varied topography reaching from a plain coast to highlands with an altitude of almost 1,200 meters. The tallest mountains within the park are Mount Gamping 538 m, Mount Butak 609 m, Mount Sukamade Atas 801 m, Mount Gendong 840 m, Mount Mandilis 844 m and Mount Betiri 1,192 m. The topography along the coast is generally hilly to mountainous. There are only few sandy plain coasts, most of them located in the west, such as Rajegwesi Beach, Sukamade Beach, Permisan Beach, Meru Beach and Bandealit Beach. Some rivers across Meru Betiri are Sukamade River, a perennial river, Permisan River, Meru River and Sekar Pisang River that flow to the South coast.
The Meru Betiri area is influenced by monsoon wind. During November to March, the westerly wind brings rainfall to the area, whereas the dry season occurs during April to October. The average annual rainfall is between 2,300 and 4,000 mm, with 4 dry months and 7 wet months in average. As a result of its diverse topography, Meru Betiri contains five distinct vegetation types: Coastal vegetation, found around Sukamade Bay and Meru Bay. This vegetation includes the Barringtonia asiatica,Calophyllum inophyllum, Hibiscus tiliaceus, Terminalia catappa, and Pandanus tectorius. Mangrove vegetation, found at the eastern side of the Rajegwesi Bay as the outlet of Lembu and Karang Tambak Rivers, Meru Bay and Sukamade Coast.
The Conservation
The Meru Betiri Forest area was first appointed as a protected forest by the Dutch Colonial Government in 1931. In 1972 the Meru Betiri Protected Forest 500 km² was appointed as a wildlife sanctuary, prioritized for protecting the habitat of the then endangered Javan Tiger. In 1982 the sanctuary was expanded to its current extent of 580 km² including a marine area of 845 ha. In 1982 the sanctuary was declared a National Park, which finally has been designated as such in 1997.
Accommodation at the park headquarter
Getting there and Away
From Bali
Depart from the northern part of Bali is much closer to get there. By private car from Lovina to the port of Gilimanuk approximately 2,5 hours drive and continue crossing by ferry to Ketapang for one hour ride. From there take the jeep 6 hours drive passing the villages, rice-fields, coffee Cocoa and Rubber Plantation. There is basic accommodation to stay overnight at the park headquarter but need to reserve in advance for its availability..
We depart by Jeep from Banyuwangi
Crossing the rivers by jeep at Sukamade
The green turtle is lying the eggs on the beach of Sukamade
Letting small turtles depart to the sea