Mount Maras National Park

Mount Maras National Park
Taman Nasional Gunung Maras
Interactive map of Mount Maras National Park
LocationBangka Regency and West Bangka Regency, Bangka Belitung Islands, Indonesia
Nearest cityPangkalpinang (90 km)[1][2]
Coordinates1°52′48″S 105°50′06″E / 1.8800°S 105.8350°E / -1.8800; 105.8350
Area16,806.91 ha (64.8918 sq mi)[3][4][5]
Established27 July 2016[3][4]
Governing bodyNatural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) of South Sumatra[2][1]
Websitetngunungmaras.org

Mount Maras National Park (Indonesian: Taman Nasional Gunung Maras) is a national park located on Bangka Island in the Bangka Belitung Islands province of Indonesia.[5][6] Established on 27 July 2016, it is the only national park on Bangka Island and covers an area of 16,806.91 hectares (168 km²).[3][4] The park is centered on Mount Maras, the highest peak on Bangka Island at 710 metres (2,329 ft) above sea level, known as the "Roof of Bangka Belitung".[2][1]

The park protects one of the last substantial tracts of natural forest on Bangka Island, an area heavily transformed by tin mining and agriculture.[5] It serves as a critical habitat for several endemic species, including the Bangka slow loris (Nycticebus bancanus) and the Bangka tarsier (Cephalopachus bancanus).[2][1]

History

The area that is now Mount Maras National Park was originally designated as a protected forest area on 27 December 1982, under Minister of Agriculture Decree No. 925/Kpts/Um/12/1982, covering approximately 11,864 hectares.[3] Following the establishment of Bangka Belitung Islands Province, the area was re-designated as conservation forest on 1 October 2004, under Minister of Forestry Decree No. 357/Menhut-II/2004.[3]

On 27 July 2016, the Minister of Environment and Forestry issued Decree No. SK.576/Menlhk/Setjen/Pla.2/7/2016, officially establishing the area as Mount Maras National Park with an area of 16,806.91 hectares.[3][4] The designation was a significant step for conservation on Bangka Island, which had been heavily impacted by tin mining and plantation development.[5][6]

In July 2026, the park commemorated its tenth anniversary with the theme "Preserving the Biodiversity of Bangka".[2][1] The event included monitoring of climbing activities, visitor education, and socialization of conservation efforts.[2][1]

Geography

Mount Maras National Park is located in Bangka Regency and West Bangka Regency, in the Bangka Belitung Islands province of Indonesia.[3][5] The park spans 16,806.91 hectares and is situated approximately 90 kilometres (1.5 hours by road) from Pangkalpinang, the provincial capital, and about 70 kilometres from Sungailiat.[1][2][5]

The park is centered on Mount Maras, the highest peak on Bangka Island, which rises to 710 metres (2,329 ft) above sea level.[2][1] The mountain is actually composed of three main hills: Bukit Maras itself in Riau Silip District, West Bangka Regency, and Bukit Buih (Bukit Idat) and Bukit Tamban Tuleng in Bakam District, Bangka Regency.[3][5]

The park encompasses a variety of ecosystems, ranging from mangroves and lowland forests to hill forests and heath forest, forming a unified landscape.[2][5][1] The watershed around Mount Maras is an important source of fresh water for eight surrounding villages.[5]

Geology

Bangka Island is geologically notable for its rich deposits of tin, formed in association with granitic rocks, which have made the island one of the world's major tin-producing regions.[5] The terrain around Mount Maras consists of forested hills and ridges underlain by granitic and sedimentary formations.[5] The mountain's elevation gives rise to streams and a forested catchment that is vital for local water supply, contrasting with the heavily mined and disturbed landscapes elsewhere on the island.[5]

Biodiversity

Mount Maras National Park is known for its rich biodiversity and serves as a critical refuge for species dependent on intact forest on an island where habitat is heavily fragmented.[5]

Flora

The park's vegetation includes lowland and hill tropical forest along with patches of heath forest, reflecting the sandy, nutrient-poor soils characteristic of parts of Bangka Island.[5] Notable tree species include meranti (Shorea sp.), ketapang (Terminalia cattapa), and bungur (Lagerstromia sp.).[3] The distinctive pelawan tree (Tristaniopsis merguensis) is a species particularly characteristic of the region, with several varieties present including pelawan air (Tristaniopsis whiteana), pelawan sungon (Tristaniopsis obovata), and pelawan merah (Tristaniopsis maingayi).[3][5] The park also supports various orchids, including the dove orchid (Dendrobium crumenatum), and pitcher plants (Nepenthes sp.).[3][5]

Fauna

The park is home to several endemic and protected animal species.[2][5]

Mammals: The park is a critical habitat for the Bangka slow loris (Nycticebus bancanus) and the Bangka tarsier (Cephalopachus bancanus), both endemic to Bangka Belitung.[2][1] Other mammals present include the Sunda pangolin (Manis javanica), lesser mouse-deer (Tragulus javanicus), common palm civet (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus), leaf monkey (Trachypithecus auratus), and long-tailed macaque (Macaca fascicularis).[3][5]

Birds: A study recorded 79 bird species from 33 families within the park.[7] The habitat with the highest species diversity is forest, with a diversity index of 3.306.[7] The most frequently encountered species across all habitats is the olive-backed tailorbird (Orthotomus sepium).[7] Hornbills are also present in the park.[5]

Herpetofauna: The park is home to various reptiles, including monitor lizards (Varanus sp.) and several snake species.[3]

Conservation

Mount Maras National Park is managed by the Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) of South Sumatra under the Ministry of Forestry.[2][1] The park is one of 11 conservation areas managed by the agency.[2][1]

The park relies on collaboration between multiple stakeholders, including indigenous communities, government agencies, NGOs, academic institutions, and local communities.[4]

Partnerships

The park has established several partnerships to support conservation efforts:[4]

  • Indigenous communities: The Suku Maras, as traditional guardians of the area, collaborate through conservation partnerships based on Director General of KSDAE Regulation No. P.06/KSDAE/SETJEN/Kum.1/6/2018.
  • Government: The South Sumatra BKSDA manages the area in cooperation with the Resort Konservasi Wilayah XVI Bangka.
  • NGOs: The Peatland and Mangrove Restoration Agency (BRGM) has collaborated since 2020 on mangrove restoration in Teluk Kelabat Dalam. The Alobi Foundation supports the release of Bangka slow lorises.
  • Academic institutions: University of Bangka Belitung and IPB University contribute through research on flora and fauna.
  • Local communities: Groups such as Kelompok Teluk Kelabat Lestari and the Forum Nelayan Pecinta Teluk Kelabat Dalam (FNPTKD) are active in preventing illegal mining and managing nature tourism.

Threats

The park faces threats from tin mining, illegal logging, and encroachment.[5][2] Bangka Island has been heavily transformed by mining and agriculture, making the park one of the last remaining natural forest areas on the island.[5]

Tourism

Mount Maras National Park is a destination for natural tourism and hiking, attracting visitors from across the region.[2]

Hiking

Mount Maras is a popular hiking destination because it is the highest peak on Bangka Island.[2][1] The mountain has two main peaks, often referred to by hikers as Puncak Maras, offering 360-degree views where the forest meets the coastlines of the Java Sea and Bangka Strait. The main hiking route starts from Rambang Village, Riau Silip District, passing through plantations before entering the protected forest area.

Waterfalls

The park features several waterfalls that are popular attractions, including:[2][1][8]

  • Berbura Waterfall
  • Bidadari Waterfall
  • Seven-Tiered Waterfall (Curug Tujuh Tingkat)
  • Maruyan Waterfall
  • Manjang Merah Waterfall
  • Lakedang Waterfall

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 "Satu Dekade Taman Nasional Gunung Maras, Benteng Konservasi dan Rumah Satwa Endemik Bangka Belitung". Disway (in Indonesian). 2026-07-28. Retrieved 2026-08-10.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 "Gunung Maras National Park Strengthens Commitment to Biodiversity Conservation". RRI.co.id. 2026-07-28. Retrieved 2026-08-10.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 "Profil TN Gunung Maras". KSDAE (in Indonesian). Ministry of Environment and Forestry. Retrieved 2026-08-10.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Tentang Kami". Gunung Maras National Park (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2026-08-10.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 "Gunung Maras, Indonesia: Ratings & Visitor Guide". International Parks. Retrieved 2026-08-10.
  6. 1 2 "Kawasan Gunung Maras di Pulau Bangka menjadi Taman Nasional". ANTARA News (in Indonesian). 2021-05-24. Retrieved 2026-08-10.
  7. 1 2 3 "Perencanaan Ekowisata Burung di Taman Nasional Gunung Maras Provinsi Kepulauan Bangka Belitung". IPB Repository (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2026-08-10.
  8. ↑ "Kesegaran Petualangan di Alam Bebas Air Terjun Maras". RRI.co.id (in Indonesian). 2024-04-26. Retrieved 2026-08-10.
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