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nown for its stunning biodiversity and beautiful scenery, Flores in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) has become a favorite spot for international birders to come and observe native birds.

Lecturers and students from several universities in Europe and Indonesia as well as international bird experts have visited Flores and noted that it is now a part of the global bird watching map, said Samuel Rabenak a member of non-governmental organization Burung Indonesia and Indonesian Bird Watching group.

The East Nusa Tenggara administration recorded that there 80 tourists from 10 countries, including the United States, Australia and several European countries, had visited Flores in 2016 with the specific purpose of bird watching and research on native bird species.

There are four renowned bird-watching areas on Flores, namely Bentang Alam Mbeliling, Komodo National Park, Alama Ruteng Tourism Park and Kelimutu National Park, Rabenak added.

Birders visit Flores not only because of the island’s endemic birds but also Flores’ well-known beautiful scenery.

“I have accompanied so many tourists that have a special interest [in bird-watching] as well as international birders. They come in groups or alone,” he told The Jakarta Post in West Manggarai on Sunday.

Two birds native to Flores are the Flores Crow and the Wallace hanging parrot, locally known as serindit Flores, which has been listed as an endangered species. Many other bird species are also found there, including the Flores lorikeet, the russet-capped tesia, the chestnut-capped thrush, Flores minivet and the yellow-ringed white-eye.

However, Rabenak said bird watching and bird conservation faced a challenge in the province, adding that there are still many people who live in the forest area who shoot birds with air rifles for consumption, he said.

Meanwhile in Ketapang regency of West Kalimantan, more than 1,000 protected waterbirds were seen recently in two areas, namely Kendawangan and South Matan.

The two areas are important locations for the birds to nest, said Abdurrahman Al Qadrie from Ketapang Friends of Birds, a bird-watching community under the Ketapang Biodiversity Conservation group, adding that the existence of the birds was a positive sign for the health of the local environment.

A census held from Jan. 7 to 21 by the group found 350 nests of five different waterbird species. More than 750 adults and some 500 young birds were also found during the census, with the Ardeidae family dominating the numbers, he added. The Ardeidae family is protected under a 1999 government regulation as the birds are sensitive to disturbances in habitat and changes in land use.

“Their existence is an indication that Ketapang has wetlands that are still in good condition and an ecosystem that can support sustainability ,” Abdurahman told The Jakarta Post on Monday.

This indication that wetland ecosystems are healthy is also valuable information for farmers and fishermen in coastal areas who depend on wetlands for paddy and fish farming.

“Even though some waterbirds are considered pests, they are very important as part of the ecosystem,” Abdurrahman said.

The census aimed not only to ascertain how many and what type of waterbirds were in the wetlands, but also to support conservation efforts. The census results can both raise people’s awareness of their local environment and encourage them to take part in conservation initiatives, he added.

Following the news, the chief of Sungai Nanjung village in South Matan district Riduan said he would urge all parties to show a strong commitment to preserving the natural environment. According to him, one of the main problems is that investors often plan to clear conservation areas for business activities.

“I will actively inform people not to hunt the birds,” Riduan said.