The orchards along the banks of the Ciliwung river in the subdistrict of Balekambang in Condet, East Jakarta, provide a habitat for various species of wildlife. In the one-hectare orchard owned by Haji Amin, the father of environment activist Abdul Kodir, for instance, a fairly high degree of biodiversity can be found. This area alone is the breeding ground for pythons (Python reticulatus), large lizards (Varanus salvator), civets (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus) and various species of reptiles and insects.
Dozens of species of fruit and medicinal herbs, as well as three varieties of bamboo are found in the Ciliwung riverside conservation zone in Condet. Some of the remaining species of fruit tree are typical of Jakarta, and include bacang (Mangifera Foetida), sawo (Manilkara achras), buni (Antidesma bunius), cempedak (Artocarpus integer), namnam (Cynometra cauliflora) and Pucung (Pangium edule).
The dense plantations make the riverbank region a safe place for wild birds to feed and reproduce. Ali Kristanto and Teguh Lestianto, bird observers from the Flora and Fauna International (FFI)-Indonesia Program, recorded 34 bird species in the habitat in November 2006, eight of which are protected by the state. Among them are madu sriganti or olive-backed sunbird (Nectarinia jugularis), pijantung or little spiderhunter (Arachnothera longirostra), cekakak Jawa or Javan kingfisher (Halcyon cyanoventris) and raja-udang meninting or blue-eared kingfisher (Alcedo meninting). The last two fish eaters are threatened by water pollution.
""Three migratory bird species were spotted around the estates and river,"" said Ahmad Suwandi, an environmental campaigner and media liaison officer with FFI-Indonesia Program. Protected birds spotted during a biodiversity survey conducted in mid-November included elang-alap Nippon or Japanese sparrowhawk (Accipiter gularis), kirik-kirik laut or blue-tailed bee eater (Merops philippnus) and kirik-kirik senja or chestnut-headed bee eater (Merops lescechenaulti). The findings show that the groves along the Ciliwung river also serve as a transit and feeding area for migratory birds.
According to Suwandi, the Ciliwung floodplain in Condet provide a very important bird sanctuary, and the presence of the birds there indicates the location's environmental conditions. Based on the bird species recorded, Condet boasts a fairly high level of avian diversity. The lush fruit trees and variety of insects near the river attract a lot of birds. Furthermore, as reported by the bird observers, the discovery of the kingfishers (fish eaters) indicates that the quality of the Ciliwung's water quality is relatively good.
However, various threats are facing these birds. According to Abdul, the birds and reptiles in the orchards are frequently hunted for breeding or sale. The river is also used as a backyard dump. Household garbage reduces water quality and disturbs the life of water biota.
Apart from river areas, a number of other urban forests in Jakarta serve as the natural habitats of wild birds. The Angke Kapuk Forest Reserve and Muara Angke Wildlife Sanctuary, for example, have 40 bird species. The urban forest in Senayan and its environs provide a breeding place for 20 species, and more than ten species live in Monas (National Monument) and Kemayoran parks.
-- Bambang Parlupi
