Bukit Manjai Biodiversity Park, ULM Student Research and Conservation Center
Martapura – The Tropical Rainforest Biodiversity Garden in the Bukit Manjai Valley, Mandiangin Timur, Banjar Regency, South Kalimantan, has become a research center for final-semester students of the Biology Education Study Program at the Faculty of Teacher Training and Education (FKIP) of Lambung Mangkurat University (ULM).
Under the guidance of Dewi Amelia Widyastuti, M.Pd., who is also the Secretary of the Biology Education Study Program at ULM, around 10 students conducted direct exploration of the biodiversity in this area.
“Research in the Biodiversity Garden is very interesting due to the high level of biodiversity and the conservation efforts for rare species such as the Ulin tree (Eusideroxylon zwageri) and the Giant Orchid (Grammatophyllum speciosum),” said Dewi Amelia in Banjar on Tuesday.
She added that the involvement of students in this research contributes to the achievement of the university’s Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), especially in the aspects of research and community service.
The Biodiversity Garden was established by Dr. Amalia Rezeki, a biological conservation expert, on November 5, 2020, coinciding with National Flora and Fauna Love Day. With an area of about 4 hectares, the garden serves as a research, conservation, and ecotourism center.
Managed by the Indonesian Biodiversity Study and Conservation Center, a non-profit organization established in 2013, the garden has become one of the environmental education centers. Dr. Amalia, the recipient of the ASEAN Youth Eco Champion 2019 and KALPATARU 2022 awards, stated that the establishment of the garden is a manifestation of her dedication to the world of education and conservation.
“This Biodiversity Garden is a form of my academic responsibility as a biology lecturer and also a manifestation of my concern for the preservation of nature,” she said.
In addition to being a research center, the garden also plays a role in maintaining ecological balance, especially in the management of water resources. The vegetation is capable of absorbing rainwater, making this area have a spring that never dries up throughout the year, known as “Tirta Asri.”
Ramadhan Jayusman, S.Si., the garden manager, explained that the area has various types of natural vegetation such as durian (Durio zibethinus), langsat (Lansium domesticum), jengkol (Archidendron pauciflorum), breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis), jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus), as well as rare trees like ulin and aloeswood (Aquilaria malaccensis). A variety of unique and exotic macroscopic fungi can also be found in the garden.
In addition to its rich flora, the garden is also a habitat for various wild animals such as the gray langur (Trachypithecus cristatus), long-tailed macaque (Macaca nemestrina), muntjac (Muntiacus muntjak), porcupine (Hystrix javanica), as well as various species of birds and reptiles.
To support research and educational tourism activities, the garden is equipped with gazebos for resting areas and a camping area that offers a typical South Kalimantan tropical rainforest experience.
