Sultan Adam Grand Forest

Sultan Adam Grand Forest Park (Indonesian: Taman Hutan Raya Sultan Adam or abbreviated as “Tahura”) or also known as Tahura Sultan Adam is one of forest area located in South Kalimantan, Indonesia. A forest measuring 112,000 hectares and located in two districts, Banjar and Tanah Laut, has been set as the Grand Forest Park of Indonesia under a Presidential Decree No. 52 of 1989. Tahura Sultan Adam consists of several areas, including the Riam Kanan Protected Forest covering ​​an area of 55,000 hectares, the Kinain Buak covering an area of 13,000 hectares, the Pelaihari Wildlife Reserve in Martapura covering ​​an area of 36,400 hectares, and the Educational Forest of Lambung Mangkurat University (UNLAM) covering an area of ​​2,000 hectares.

Since 1990, Tahura Sultan Adam that was established in order to preserve rare animals and plants, a place of research, as well as tourism object, has been managed by an institution centered in Mandiangin, Banjar. On this location, we can find an inscription of the establishment of Tahura Sultan Adam signed by President Suharto. To serve as one of the tourism objects in South Kalimantan, Tahura Sultan Adam offers various attractions which suitable to be used as a place of relaxing, including the Lake Riam Kanan measuring 8,000 hectares. In the middle of the lake is found an island of pine trees measuring ​​3 hectares and an island of Bukit Batas. Tahura Sultan Adam area also offers various other attractions, including the Surian waterfall, Batu Kumbang waterfall, Mandin Sawa waterfall, and Bagugur waterfall located in the Tabatan upstream. The area also provides an area of ​​6 hectares campsite located in Bangkal Awang, Karang Intan, Banjar district.

Sultan Adam Grand Forest has many tourism options. There visitors are able to see the protected endangered animals, such as Lampung elephant, deer, and alligators, which are centered on the Pelaihari Wildlife Refuge in Martapura. In addition to this wildlife refuge, the Educational Forest of the Lambung Mangkurat University (UNLAM) has now been developed into arboretum, breeding animals, safari park, bird park, so visitors can see a variety of endangered animals. This area is suitable for research, and used as campaign for students because it has been provided an ample campaign ground.

Visitors who are the adventurers have a great chance to explore the area of Kahung Valley in Aranio, Banjar. This area is included as part of Meratus Mountains and as one of the Primary forests, which is rarely touched by people, stores hundreds to thousands of typical species of flora and fauna. The flora includes meranti wood (Shorea spp.), ulin (Eusideroxylon zwageri), kahingai (Santiria tomentosa), damar(Dipterocarpus spp.), pampahi (Ilexsimosa spp.), kuminjah laki (Memecylon leavigatum), keruing (Dipterocarpus grandiflorus), mawai (Caethocarpus grandiflorus), jambukan (Mesia sp.), kasai(Arthocarpus kemando) and more. In fact, this area is also considered to have the famous orchid of South Kalimantan, which is the black orchid and the cane orchid. The fauna includes proboscis monkey (Nasalis larvatus), gibbon (Hylobates muelleri), Javan Lutung (Trachypithecus auratus), sun bear (Helarctos malayanus), Sambar deer (Cervus unicolor), Muntjacs (Muntiacus muntjak), Bornean yellow muntjac (Muntiacus atherodes), Java mouse deer (Tragulus javanicus), and more.

Another special adventure can be enjoyed in Kahung Valley is the journey to the site. There are only two alternatives to get to the location, including using a raft of bamboo and using buffalo to cross the river. In addition, you also have to walk down to the dense forests, vast prairie weeds, as well as through the hilly streets. It is also quite often visitors must pass through a challenging terrain, such as walking through swift currents with the sleek natural rocks.

For those who love water attraction, Lake Riam Kanan and Lake Bukit Batas are the right choice. Here visitors can do some sport activities while enjoying panoramic views of beautiful lakes and green forest of Pinus Merkussi. Visitors can also enjoy the charm of the waterfalls located in several places in the Tahura Sultan Adam area. The management and information center of Tahura Sultan Adam is located in Mandiangin village, Karangan Intan, Banjar, South Kalimantan province, Indonesia.

Access

Sultan Adam Grand Forest Park is located approximately 55 km from the city of Banjarmasin, or about 15 kilometers from the city of Banjar Baru, the capital of Banjar. The site can be accessed by using two-wheelers and four-wheel vehicles.