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View all search resultsRare black orchids
Biological resources of great diversity can serve as a natural laboratory
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Biological resources of great diversity can serve as a natural laboratory.
The flourishing orchids found in Lake Sentarum and Betung Kerihun national parks in Kapuas Hulu regency, West Kalimantan are a case in point.
The Lake Sentarum park hosts 135 wild orchid species, including the famous black orchid (Coeloyne pandurata).
The cemetery of kings in Selimbau, in the same district as Lake Sentarum park, abounds with wild orchids, creating a poetic mix of time-tested stones and ephemeral blooms.
The orchids there populate trees along the banks of the Terus, Blantik, Sepiak and Makadong rivers.
Thriving orchids around the Selimbau royal cemetery were found for the first time in 2007 by two youth activists from the area, Uju Saharman and Abeng.
Uju said they learned to identify the different types after getting information about rare plants from an environmental NGO, Riak Bumi, and from the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR).
Most people in the area are familiar with these flowering beauties but have no idea they can bring a high price.
when *people* cut down trees to build their homes they'll find orchids on tree stems, but they just throw away the plants thinking they're worthless wildflowers," he said.
He said the situation did, in a way, benefit the rare orchid.
"If they knew, they would try to sell them."
Guarding the wild orchids is another story.
The park does not have enough boats to patrol where the orchids grow.
Selimbau community leader, Walidad, said about five hectares were covered with orchids, not counting the ones growing on trees.
He said the local leaders who uphold customary law have agreed to turn the area into a natural orchid preserve for their protection.
"We always warn people to be careful when entering the cemetery and avoid taking plants, without telling them the real value of these orchids. We're trying to protect their future."
