Local authorities are striving to develop the Gunung Pancar Nature Tourism Park in Bogor, West Java.

The park has become the “lungs of the city” and plays an important role in the lives of the people in Bogor and its surrounding areas.

The park offers a clean and fresh forest atmosphere. It also serves as a water reserve, the main source of clean drinking water for local people in the area.

Nano Winarno, the head of Gunung Pancar resort at the West Java Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA), said the agency had identified five springs that were important water sources inside the national park. They are the Batu, Cibayawak, Cihanjuang, Cipancar and Situhiang springs.

Nano said the Batu spring was used by the Ciburial people in Karang Tengah village. Forest tourism operator PT Wana Wisata Indah (WWI) also uses the spring for its tourist activities.

The Cibayawak spring is used by local people living around the national park for household needs. The Cihanjuang spring flows into Cihanjuang River, which stretches from Cileungsi to Bekasi – both in West Java – and is used as a prime water source for domestic needs by people in the two areas.

Meanwhile, water from the Situhiang spring flows into the Ciawi Tali and Cibalok rivers.

Located on 447 hectares of land in Babakan Madang district, Bogor regency, Gunung Pancar is part of the Cileungsi and Cikeas river basin areas. Any damage to the forest area could affect water runoff and lead to flash flooding. (ebf)

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