OUTSTANDING UNIVERSAL VALUE
Brief synthesis
Ujung Kulon National Park, located in Banten Province on the extreme
south-west tip of the highly populated island of Java, has the best and
most extensive lowland forest remaining on the island. The property,
including the Ujung Kulon peninsula and several offshore islands retains
its natural beauty and possesses a very diverse flora and fauna,
demonstrating on-going evolution of geological processes since the
Krakatau eruption in 1883. The Krakatau volcano as part of the formation
of the property, is the most well known and studied of all modern
volcanic eruptions, due primarily to the devastating effects (36,000
people killed) registered throughout the northern hemisphere. The
property is globally significant as the last and most important natural
habitat of the critically endangered, endemic, single-horned Javan
Rhinoceros (
Rhinoceros sondaicus) along with several other
species of endangered plants and animals. Ujung Kulon is believed to
sustain the last viable natural population of this species, estimated at
approximately 60 individuals. It is not known how this compares to
historical densities, but is a critically low figure from the point of
view of species survival and viable genetic diversity.Other notable
mammals in the property include carnivores, such as leopard, wild dog
(dhole), leopard cat, fishing cat, Javan mongoose and several species of
civets. It is also home to three endemic primate species; the Javan
gibbon, Javan leaf monkey and silvered leaf monkey. Over 270 species of
birds have been recorded and terrestrial reptiles and amphibians include
two species of python, two crocodile species and numerous frogs and
toads.
Criteria
Krakatau is one of natural world’s best-known examples
of recent island volcanism and the property with its forests, coastline
and islands is a natural lanscape of high scenic attaction. The physical
feature of Krakatau Island combined with the surrounding sea, natural
vegetation, succesion of vegetation and volcanic activities combine to
form a lanscape of exceptional beauty. In addition, the combination of
natural vegetation of the lowlands, tropical rainforests, grass lands,
beach forests, mangrove forests and coral reefs within the property, are
of exceptional magnificence. The property includes the Ujung Kulon
peninsula and several offshore islands that demonstate on-going
evolutionary processes, especially following the dramatic Krakatau
eruption in 1883
Criteria
Containing the most extensive remaining stand of lowland rainforest on
Java, a habitat that has virtually disappeared elsewhere on the island
and is under severe pressure elsewhere in Indonesia and Southeast Asia,
the peninsula of Ujung Kulon provides invaluable habitat critical for
the survival of a number of threatened plant and animal species, most
notably the endangered Javan Rhino (
Rhinoceros sondaicus). The
Javan rhino is not known to occur in the wild anywhere else on earth and
Ujung Kulon is believed to sustain the last viable natural population,
estimated at approximately 60 individuals. Efforts to protect the Javan
rhino’s remaining habitat and individuals have become a symbol for
protection of rainforest of worldwide significance, adding to the
international importance of the management and preservation of the
Ujung Kulon ecosystem.The property also provides a valuable refuge for
29 other species of mammals; nine of which are on the IUCN red list with
three species considered endangered and including leopard (
Panthera pardus), the endemic Javan gibbon (
Mylobates moloch) and Javan leaf monkey (
Presbytis comata). Avifauna recorded within the property includes 270 species while two species of crocodile, the endangered false gharial (
Tomistoma schlegelii) and the vulnerable estuarine crocodile (
Crocodylus porosus)
are included in the reptile and amphibian species recorded for the
property. In addition to the rich fauna 57 species of rare plants have
also been recorded.
Integrity
The oldest and largest of the protected areas on the island of Java
the boundary of the property encloses a very large area that is
sufficient to protect its outstanding scenic, natural values as well as
the important biodiversity values that warranted inscription on the
World Heritage List. The huge volcanic mass of Krakatau dominates the
property and is completely contained within its boundaries.
The property contains all the necessary habitat for the in-situ
conservation of its unique biological diversity, including those
habitats required to support the threatened species and other biota of
outstanding universal value. While it is no longer possible to increase
the size of the property, its location, in particular on the peninsula,
provides managers with an ideal geographic unit for management.
A number of the component areas of the property are surrounded by
buffer zones with activities in the zone given increasing attention in
regards to regulation from the relevant provincial authority, with
advice from the management agency. Poaching of the Javan Rhino has
always been the main management issue and careful monitoring is required
to ensure there is no illegal poaching of this critically endagered
species as well as the other unique biodiversity contained and protected
within the property.
Protection and management requirements
The property is managed by the central goverment through the
technical implementation unit of the Directorate General of Forest
Protection and Nature Conservation, of the Ministry of Forestry. The
peninsula, along with Pulau Panaitan were established as a nature
reserve in 1921 and subsequently redesignated as a game reserve and
extended in 1958 to include several offshore islands and marine areas.
The mainland component of the property was established as a nature
reserve in 1967 and the Ujung Kulon reserve complex was declared a
‘proposed’ national park in 1980 with the Krakatau Nature Reserve
included into the site in 1983.
The long history of conservation action in the property, dating back
to 1921, has helped to protect the values contained within the
boundaries despite the lack of a solid legal basis during the early
establishment of the reserves. The long term management plan of Ujung
Kulon National Park (2001-2020) is the basis for maintaining its natural
beauty and preserving the critical habitats. Implementation of the
management plan has helped to control the problems of illegal
encroachment, logging, and commercial fishing within the boundaries of
the property. The buffer zone on the land boundary effectively
strengthens protection of the property and in addition, the involvement
of various stakeholders from the local, national and international
community has enhanced the protection of its values and integrity.
Generally well preserved, encroachment pressures are primarily
confined to the eastern boundary on the mainland. Management prioritises
long-term survival of the Javan Rhinoceros along with the other
endangered species recorded within the property. The Strategy and Action
Plan for the Conservation of Rhinos in Indonesia (2007-2017) developed
with broad, open, and transparent participatory processes has greatly
assisted the future survival of this critically endangered animal. The
strategy addresses threats from inbreeding, global warming, and human
pressure and includes the development of a new sanctuary within the
property and a site outside the property as additional habitat for rhino
populations.
Poaching of the Javan rhino has
historically been the main management issue within the property.
Strengthening of protection through management actions has allowed the
population to grow with the highest priority of conservation efforts
being the in situ preservation of the population, allowing numbers to
increase. Increasing pressure from agricultural encroachment, illegal
logging and firewood collection in the terrestrial areas and illegal
commercial fishing within the marine components of the park continue to
pose a threat to the values of the property. Along with impacts from
tourism these issues all require monitoring and enforcement of
regulations to ensure long-term conservation of the property.
