The sheer number of bird species and rich exquisite forest avifauna in the eastern part of Indonesia is impressive. In West Papua itself, there is an exact number of 716 bird species living in the lush forest cover. With the resolution to be a conservation province, the region has appointed certain areas as a particular bird sanctuary.
One of them is the Warkesi Forest park. The park is located on a small island in Raja Ampat, Waigeo Island. It is a forest island designated to be the home of Bird of paradise, Cendrawasih. Aside from the natural habitat of the bird, the island forest is also ideal conservation and bird-watching area. What to do there? Read on for more details.
Cendrawasih Sanctuary
Spanning across beautiful and well-maintained islands, the Raja Ampat area is not only known for its beautiful marine life but also the forest area. Waigeo Island is one of them. It is dedicated to Cendrawasih forest conservation, due to the unspoiled nature and local community dedication to take care and protect the area.
On this island, there are two types of Cendrawasih living around. The west Papua forest is the home of the Wilson’s Cendrawasih and the red Cendrawasih species. These two types are known as the endemic of the Warkesi forest of Waigeo island. That is why the island has a huge role in the local conservation and protection of the Cendrawasih bird.
In this case, the Red Cendrawasih is the rarest among the others. The bird of paradise has a characteristic of striking-colored feathers. The famous ones are blood red, brown, emerald green, and yellow. The features eventually blend with the yellow beak. Since its rare situation, the species is only found in Batanta and Waigeo Raja Ampat.
Even though the Waigeo island and Warkesi forest is the designated conservation area, finding the Ccendrawasih is considered a challenging job. The jungle terrain with dense forest cover, the natural states, and the pure untouched location hide well its fauna. That is why Warkesi is the optimal area to conserve the bird of paradise habitat.
Conservation And Monitoring Efforts
Due to the rarity and the endangered situation, the island dweller and west Papua government collaborate to make the island the most optional conservation area. It is said that the effort includes protecting and nurturing the endemic birds by involving residents. In this case, the island has established Warkesi forest farmer group and tourism development.
The tourist development contains setting up Cendrawasih observation in the forest. Both establishments are meant to help maintain the forest and turn it into tourism development. The project itself has been carried out since 2018, which helps conserve and elevates the local community income.
Not only an establishment for tourism and local forest farmer group but there is also a monitoring effect by the conservation center. The project highlight enhancing forest farmer and local knowledge plus skills to maintain the area. It includes patrolling around the forest, taking care of the forest, the environment, and managing it.
The point itself leads to the tourism effort and possibilities. It supports tourism chances, such as the West Papua red Cendrawasih sighting site, culinary items, creation of souvenirs, and many more. As the local economy increase, the government believes that the nurturing of the forest will get better. Thus, it can support both the local natural resource and life sources.
As a tourist attraction
As said in the previous point that the forest and the island have turned into one of the tourist destinations. The location is close to the capital city of Raja Ampat, Waisal. Which takes about 25-minute travel. However, as of October 2020, the visit to the island is pretty tight. Tourist visit is under a quota system, which means that the number is limited.
It was meant to protect the original habitat for the extremely rare bird of paradise. That is why tourists should reserve a plan to visit the island. Visitors can contact the agent and arrange a schedule for the visit along with the local community tourism permission. Facility-wise, tourists can stay in hotels or guest houses. There are also transportation services.
In this exotic west Papua island, tourists can observe the rare red Cendrawasih. There are also many chances to witness much other bird of paradises types, such as the bald Cendrawasih, or the Wilson Cendrawasih. Some other faunas in the forest include a wide array of Cockatoo, such as the Nuri, Raja, Jambul Kuning, Maleo Waigeo, and many more.
As one of the rich biodiversity provinces in Indonesia and the world, it has hundreds of fauna and flora to protect. That is why the province has some designated conservation areas, such as Warkesi forest. It is a conservational and bird-watching area that is part of the local and government effort in protecting Cendrawasih, the bird of paradise.
