Mount Nyiut Nature Reserve
| Mount Nyiut Nature Reserve | |
|---|---|
| Cagar Alam Gunung Nyiut | |
Interactive map of Mount Nyiut Nature Reserve | |
| Location | Bengkayang, Landak, and Sanggau regencies, West Kalimantan, Indonesia |
| Nearest city | Bengkayang (45 km)[1] |
| Coordinates | 1°01′43″N 109°56′05″E / 1.0287°N 109.9348°E[2] |
| Area | 124,500 ha (481 sq mi)[2][3] |
| Established | 1981[3] |
| Governing body | Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) of West Kalimantan[1] |
Mount Nyiut Nature Reserve (Indonesian: Cagar Alam Gunung Nyiut) is a strict nature reserve (cagar alam) located in West Kalimantan, Indonesia, near the border with Sarawak, Malaysia.[3][4] It spans approximately 124,500 hectares (1,245 km² / 481 sq mi) across the regencies of Bengkayang, Landak, and Sanggau.[2][3] The reserve encompasses a rugged, forested volcanic massif rising to around 1,700 metres above sea level.[3]
Designated as a nature reserve in 1981 and administered under successive designations by the Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) of West Kalimantan, it is one of the largest protected areas in the province.[1][3] The reserve is centred on the Nyiut and Penrisen massifs, part of the rugged highland chain that forms a watershed between Indonesian Borneo and Sarawak.[1] It is recognised as habitat for the endangered Bornean orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus pygmaeus) and is designated as an Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International.[3][5]
Geography
Mount Nyiut Nature Reserve is situated in the interior highlands of West Kalimantan, along the border with Sarawak, Malaysia.[1] The reserve covers approximately 124,500 hectares (1,245 km²) across the regencies of Bengkayang, Landak, and Sanggau.[2][3] The nearest town is Bengkayang, approximately 45 kilometres away.[1]
The reserve is centred on the Nyiut and Penrisen massifs, part of the rugged highland chain that forms a natural watershed between Indonesian Borneo and Sarawak.[1] Mount Nyiut, the highest peak in the reserve, rises to approximately 1,701 metres (5,581 ft) above sea level, making it the second-highest mountain in West Kalimantan.[6][7] The summit is marked with a cement pillar (P123).[6]
Geology
The reserve lies within the highland belt that runs along the West Kalimantan–Sarawak border, a region of folded and uplifted older rocks intruded by granitic bodies.[1] Gunung Nyiut is an old volcano, with steep, deeply dissected slopes shaped by intense tropical weathering and high rainfall.[1][5] These uplands act as a natural watershed, feeding numerous streams and rivers that drain toward both the Indonesian and Malaysian sides of Borneo.[1]
Ecology
The reserve protects a representative slice of Bornean lowland-to-montane rainforest, with vegetation grading from lowland mixed dipterocarp forest on the lower slopes to hill and submontane forest at higher elevations.[1] Dipterocarp trees dominate the canopy, accompanied by figs, oaks and laurels, with abundant epiphytes, ferns, orchids, and rattans typical of perhumid Bornean rainforest.[1] Higher, cooler ridges support mossy montane forest with smaller, gnarled trees draped in moss and lichen.[1]
The reserve is home to a variety of endemic Bornean species, including the endangered Bornean orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus pygmaeus).[3][2] The orangutan population size and trend are unknown.[3] Other primates present include gibbons, langurs and macaques.[1] Larger mammals may include sun bears, clouded leopards, various deer and civets, while the forest canopy and understory support hornbills, woodpeckers, pittas and a rich diversity of insects and amphibians.[1] Pangolins have also been recorded.[1]
The reserve is also designated as an Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International, supporting a variety of bird species.[5]
Flora
The reserve is noted for its diverse flora, including wild orchids, Nepenthes pitcher plants, and the rare Rafflesia tuan-mudae.[7][8]
Conservation
Designated as a nature reserve (Cagar Alam) in 1981, it was later reaffirmed as a wildlife sanctuary and then a nature reserve again.[3] It is administered under successive designations by the Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) of West Kalimantan under Indonesia's Ministry of Environment and Forestry.[1] As a cagar alam, it is reserved primarily for the strict protection of intact ecosystems and scientific study, with general public access restricted.[1]
Threats
The reserve faces threats from residential encroachment, illegal logging, and deforestation.[3][4] The location of Mount Nyiut near the border makes it a prime target for illegal enterprises that harvest natural resources.[4] Residential areas and old settlements are found around the site.[3]
Conservation efforts
The main conservation activities have focused on raising awareness in the community and restoring habitats.[3] Planet Indonesia has been working with Indigenous Dayak communities to co-manage the reserve with government agencies to reduce deforestation.[4] In that time, they have seen a 77% reduction in forest loss, in part due to improvements in local livelihoods, health, education, and climate-smart agricultural farming practices.[4] Village-led conservation efforts have seen the planting of 68,500 trees of 46 different species in degraded forest land.[4]
In 2019, the Landak Regency government and BKSDA built a research station in the Mount Nyiut area to support biodiversity research and conservation.[8]
Carbon storage
In 2003, the Mount Nyiut Nature Reserve stored 13.9 million metric tons of aboveground carbon, with an average carbon density of 150.5 tons of carbon per hectare. In 2018, the carbon storage increased to 14.0 million metric tons with an average density of 152.5 tons of carbon per hectare.[4] That is more than 51 million tons of CO₂ equivalents.[4]
Recreation
Mount Nyiut is a destination for trekkers and adventurers seeking to explore the remote highlands of Borneo.[7] The mountain is considered sacred by the local Dayak community, particularly the Dayak Bidayuh and other Dayak groups in the Bengkayang area.[7]
Hiking
The climb is considered challenging due to the steep terrain, with few official trails or supporting infrastructure.[6][7] The trail from Dawar (375 m) leads eastwards to the Pintu Rimba or forest entrance (570 m), which is where the nature reserve begins and the point at which permission is required for access from the authorities in Pontianak or Singkawang.[6] If permission is obtained, hikers can proceed via Pos Sungai Tanggi (1,020 m), Pos Gua Kurawak (1,130 m) and Pos 1300 (1,300 m) to the summit itself.[6] The hike takes approximately 10–12 hours to reach the summit, so it is best to camp at a spot at 1,300 m (about 90 minutes before the summit) and get up early on the second day to reach the top for first light.[6]
As of 2017, hikers need to email the relevant authorities (BKSDA Kalimantan Barat) to request permission to hike Mount Niut, preferably in advance.[6] If not conducting scientific research, permission may or may not be granted.[6] Hikers must also register in Dawar, where they will probably have to take a local guide.[6]
The highest point is marked with a cement pillar (P123) and the best views are to be found about 20 metres below this point.[6] The mountain offers panoramic views of the surrounding West Kalimantan landscape.[7]
See also
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 "Gunung Nyiut Penrisen". International Parks. Retrieved 2026-08-08.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Gunung Nyiut Nature Reserve". IUCN Apes Atlas. Retrieved 2026-08-08.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 "Gunung Nyiut Nature Reserve". IUCN Apes Atlas. Retrieved 2026-08-08.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Indigenous forest management combating climate change: Gunung Nyiut". Planet Indonesia. 2022-06-03. Retrieved 2026-08-08.
- 1 2 3 "Gunung Niut-Poteng". BirdLife Data Zone. Retrieved 2026-08-08.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "Gunung Niut". Gunung Bagging. Retrieved 2026-08-08.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 "5 Fakta Gunung Niut Bengkayang Jarang Ditaklukan Pendaki, Ada Pantangan & Dikeramatkan Suku Dayak". Tribun Pontianak (in Indonesian). 2025-08-05. Retrieved 2026-08-08.
- 1 2 "Pemkab Landak beresama BKSDA bangun stasiun penelitian Gunung Nyiut". ANTARA News Kalimantan Barat (in Indonesian). 2019-02-14. Retrieved 2026-08-08.