History of
West Bali National Park starts from the date of March 24, 1911, when a German biologist,
Dr. Baron Stressman, landed around the Singaraja because Maluku II expedition ship he was traveling was damaged. Baron Stressman living in the area for three months. Through research unintentional, Baron Stressman find rare species of endemic birds, the "
Jalak Bali" or
Bali Starling (
Leucopsar rothschildi) Bubunan village, about 50 km from Singaraja.
Subsequent research conducted by
Dr. Baron Viktor von Plesen, which concluded that the spread of Bali Starling only covers up to Gilimanuk Bubunan village, which is an area of 320 km2 +. Therefore bali starling population when it was relatively rare, so in 1928 a 5 tail bali starling was brought to England and successfully bred in 1931. Later in 1962, Sandiego Zoo in the United States is also rumored to have been breeding these birds.
Besides bali starlings, other rare animals that live in the park are tiger bali. To protect these rare animals, the Kings Council issued Decree No. Bali. E/I/4/5/47 dated August 13, 1947 which set the forest with an area of 19365.6 ha
Banyuwedang as
Taman Alam Protector whose status is equal to the wildlife sanctuary.
After Indonesia's independence, by the Minister of Agriculture. 169/Kpts/Um/3/1978 dated March 10, 1978, consisting of the Wildlife West Bali,
Menjangan Island, Bird Island, Island Kalong and Gadung Island designated as Nature Reserves covering a total area of West Bali 19558.8 ha. In 1984, the West Bali Nature Reserve is designated as the West Bali National Park with an area of 19558.8 ha. However, since most of the park is (3979.91 ha) is the Limited Production Forest (HPT) under the authority of the Forest Service, then by the Minister of Forestry. 493/Kpts-II/1995 dated 15 September 1995, just a vast national park 19002.89 ha, consisting of 15587.89 ha and 3415 ha land area waters.
Feature
West Bali National Park has a unique ecosystem types, ie a combination of terrestrial ecosystems and marine ecosystems. In this area, tourists can explore the land ecosystems (forests), from the forest, lowland rain forest, savanna, forest to the beach. While in aquatic ecosystems (marine), tourists can see the green mangrove forests, coastal beauty, ecosystem coral, seagrass, and shallow and deep waters.
Entering the forest, they can find about 175 species of plants, 14 species of which relatively rare, among others bayur (
Pterospermum diversifolium), ketangi (
Lagerstroemia speciosa), burahol (
steleochocarpus burahol), sandalwood (
Santalum album), rosewood (
Dalbergia latifolia ), and others. In addition, tourists can also see directly different types of animals that live freely in the park, such as the Bali starlings (
Leucopsar rothschildi) which is endemic and rare animals, birds, white ibis black head (
threskiornis melanocephalus), deer (
Muntiacus muntjak), pangolin (
sweet javanicus), porcupine (
hystric brachyura), and deer (
Tragulus javanicus). While this type of fauna famous national park waters are shark (
Carcharodon carcharias), fish flag (
plateak pinnatus), as well as giant clams (
Tridacna gigas). Other underwater riches are the different types of coral reefs are highly variable. Data collection conducted in 1998 showed that there are 110 coral species in 18 families, including 22 species of which species of coral fungi (mushroom coral).
Besides enjoying the land and water ecosystems, tourists can explore the small islands that are part of the
West Bali National Park, including
Menjangan Island, Gadung Island, Bird Island, and Island Kalong. Menjangan Island is one of the favorite island frequented by tourists. Island with an area of about 6,000 ha is the habitat deer or elk (Cervus timorensi). Not only that, tourists can also dive in the waters around the island of Menjangan to see clusters of beautiful coral reef with various fish species.
Besides enjoying the natural beauty and wildlife, travelers can also make pilgrimage to the tomb of
Mbah Temon, namely petilasan found by community elders named
Mat Yamin in 1954. Named Mbah Temon because petilasan this newly discovered (meeting or met) after Mat Yamin perform meditation though. Other
Petilasan are legendary is the tomb of
I Wayan Jayaprana. Jayaprana is a handsome young man in the chronicles of Bali is said to have been killed by his prime minister
Sawunggaling, messenger
Kalianget king, because the king wanted a beautiful girl Jayaprana wife,
Ni Nyoman Layonsari.
Location
West Bali National Park region lies in two districts, namely District Melaya, Jembrana District, and District Gerokgak, Buleleng district, Bali, Indonesia.
Access
West Bali National Park is easily reached from both Denpasar and from the Port of Gilimanuk. This is because the location of the park is traversed by the highway Gilimanuk-State and Gilimanuk-Singaraja road. To get to the location, tourists can use private cars or using public transportation (bus, taxi, or car charter).
For ease of travel, the tourists can reach the West Bali National Park with two alternatives. First, when start the journey from Port Gilimanuk, they can visit the Office of the Central West Bali National Park, located in the village of Gilimanuk, District Melaya, Jembrana district. This office is about 200 km from the city of Denpasar. The second alternative, when travelers depart from Denpasar or specifically wanted to visit the island of Menjangan, so it's good to start from the Gulf of Labuan Lalang. From Labuhan / Pier Lalang tourists can easily lead Menjangan Island or other small islands.
Ticket Prices
Ticket price to enjoy the Bali Barat National Park is 2.500 IDR / person for domestic tourists, and 20.000 IDR for foreign tourists.
Accommodation and Other Facilities
West Bali National Park has a wide range of accommodation and facilities, such as a tour guide (guide), guard hut, cottage (for a tourist break), the tower view, the path to facilitate the exploration, scuba gear rental, boat speed, etc. Travelers who want to dive with dive operator hire charge about $55 (June 2008). This price includes lunch, rent a boat, diving equipment, and transportation costs.
Especially for crossing facilities to Menjangan Island, tourists can rent boats with outboard engines. The rental fee of 250.000 IDR / four hours. If you want to add time to explore, for example, by exploring the waters around the island, then an additional charge of 20.000 IDR / hour (June 2008). If travelers need lodging, around Labuan Lalang and Port Gilimanuk there are many good hotels budget hotels, resorts, and hotels.
