LIPI: Make Mekongga as a Conservation Area

Researchers from the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI), which conducts research on Mekongga Mountains, South East Sulawesi, Indonesia on 15 to 25 December 2009, confirms that this area should be improved the status of a conservation area, because while doing research in this area, LIPI see a lot of biodiversity in this mountain and must be protected. If not, the vast forests in these mountains continue to be converted to cocoa plantations and other uses.
“Most of forest is still in good condition, but the damage occurs in the low land forests at an altitude of 100 to 500 meters from sea level to plant cocoa. Hunting of birds and buffalo (Bubalus) in this region is also the pressure on the habitats of flora and fauna in this mountain“said Dr. Rosichon Ubaibillah, zoology LIPI researchers.
This Research conducted by LIPI in cooperation with Intstitut Technology Bandung (ITB), Center for Forest and Nature Conservation Ministry of Forestry, University of California-Davis and the U.S. and is intended to inventory the diversity of flora and fauna for education and research, conservation and also bio energy alternative. For the ten days, This Research also involves local escort from the local people (villagers Tinukari) and Hiking group of Kolaka (CITAKA Corps-Indonesia). In this experiment, the researchers focused in the area which height is approximately 100 to 500 masl.
Although not yet published, researchers LIPI sure to find some new genera and endemic species of flora and fauna. LIPI Botanical Researchers Professor DR. Elizabeth A. Widjaja, expecting some kind of vegetation in this mountain is a new genus, one of which is a type of propagating bamboo. She believe in a lot of this bamboo in this mountain is a new genus and very specific. “Typically these types of bamboo grown in the highlands and the leaves are wide, but this one is different, growing at low altitude and small leaves” says Professor who was 58 years old.
Furthermore, Professor DR. Elizabeth A. Widjaja explains, this bamboo is unique because it has a tapering hairs on the stem segment and also has a feather hook that makes climbing and clinging. "This can be quite beautiful ornamental plants" she added. The researchers also found a beautiful species plant and endemic Sulawesi, such as Aptera Begonia, Orchids, Ferns, and various other types that can be developed for bio-energy and medicine.
The researchers also found several species of birds, who endemic and unique from island of Sulawesi. LIPI bird researcher, Hidayat Ashari said, several endemic species of birds Sulawesi many seen in this mountain. In his observations at an altitude of 10-500 masl for ten days, Hidayat records about fifty species of birds, and some of them are endemic species of Sulawesi. Like Rangkong Sulawesi (Acerox Cassidix), Eagle Sulawesi (Spilornis Rufipectus), sub-species of white sunglasses Srigunting (Dicrurus Hottentottus), King-Perling Sulawesi (Basilornis celebensis), class from Artamus monachus, and various birds bush (Centropus celebensis).
“We also found the finches birds (Pycnonotus Aurigaster) in this mountain, birds actually originated from Java and the Sunda small islands, but here is very much. Last record, it seen in Enrekang (South Sulawesi). One thing to note, if this bird was in a forest, a sign that the forest was already damage, and usually in forest areas that have been tripe” said Hidayat. He also added, spreading of birds to Mekongga is very complex and not understood, so it needs more research. Hidayat also said, some types of endemic bird species will be lost because of hunting and human activities.
Biodiversity of the Mekongga mountain is a part of the uniqueness Walaceana who also became the habitat of various species of insects. In this Research, the researchers also found a few bugs new and endemic species of insects. “We see there are several groups of insects are associated with microbes that have the potential to produce bio-prospecting for industry and can produce bio-fuel and medicinal materials. Examples of wood-eating insects, which is likely a new species” said DR. Rosichon Ubaibillah.
DR. Rosichon Ubaibillah hope the government can take the right policy for the protection of this area, by making it as a conservation area. “ We are only The Researchers, the decision on hand of the government with the local community participation to protect this area. Our research is taking a long time, if you wait for the results to make decisions, we believe it will be too late. This area will be severely damaged, because of our observation, human activities in the forests of Mekongga mountain is very prominent, such as land clearing cocoa plantations, hunting for Anoa, and illegal logging “ said DR. Rosichon Ubaibillah, alumnus of the University of Ibaraki Japan.
Meanwhile, the Corps Citaka Chairman, Ir. Muh. Rais Ambo said, the LIPI research in the mountains it was possible to make Mekongga Become a National Park.