Zamrud National Park

Zamrud National Park
Taman Nasional Zamrud
Interactive map of Zamrud National Park
LocationSiak Regency, Riau, Sumatra, Indonesia
Nearest cityDayun (8 mi)[1]
Coordinates0°46′59″N 102°04′59″E / 0.7830°N 102.0830°E / 0.7830; 102.0830
Area31,480 ha (121.5 sq mi)[2][1][3]
Established22 July 2016[4][5]
Governing bodyNatural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) of Riau[1]

Zamrud National Park (Indonesian: Taman Nasional Zamrud) is a national park located in Siak Regency, Riau Province, Sumatra, Indonesia.[2][6] Established on 22 July 2016, it is Indonesia's 52nd national park and the third national park in Riau province after Tesso Nilo and Bukit Tigapuluh.[6][7] The park covers an area of 31,480 hectares (314.8 km²) and protects a unique peat swamp forest ecosystem.[2][1]

Previously known as the Pulau Besar Lake/Bawah Lake Wildlife Reserve (Suaka Margasatwa Danau Pulau Besar Danau Bawah), the area was upgraded to national park status to protect its remaining forest and biodiversity against the pressures of industry in a region dominated by palm oil and pulpwood plantations.[6][8] The park is named after Lake Zamrud, a peat swamp lake that is the second-largest of its kind in the world.[9]

Geography

Zamrud National Park is located in the Siak Regency of Riau province, on the island of Sumatra.[2] The park spans 31,480 hectares and is situated on the Kampar Peninsula, one of the important conservation areas in Riau Province.[10] The park lies between coordinates 00°35'–00°45' North Latitude and 102°10'–102°19' East Longitude, within the districts of Dayun and Sungai Apit.[11]

The park is characterized by a peat swamp forest ecosystem, with peat soil depth ranging from 2 to 12 metres.[1] It features two major lakes: Lake Pulau Besar (Danau Pulau Besar) covering 2,416 hectares and Lake Bawah (Danau Bawah) covering 360 hectares.[8][12] Lake Pulau Besar contains four small islands: Pulau Besar, Pulau Tengah, Pulau Bungsu, and Pulau Beruk.[8] Lake Zamrud, also known as Lake Pulau Besar, is the second-largest peat swamp lake in the world, after a lake in Brazil.[9] The lake has a depth ranging from 7 to 20 metres.[9]

The park is located approximately 180 kilometres from Pekanbaru, the capital of Riau province, and about 8 miles from the town of Dayun.[1][12]

History

The area was originally designated as the Pulau Besar Lake/Bawah Lake Wildlife Reserve (Suaka Margasatwa Danau Pulau Besar Danau Bawah).[10][13] The proposal to upgrade the area to national park status was first submitted in 2001 and was officially approved 15 years later.[14]

On 4 May 2016, the Minister of Environment and Forestry issued Decree No. 350/Menlhk/Setjen/PLA.2/5/2016, officially designating the area as Zamrud National Park with an area of 31,480 hectares.[6][3][15] The park was officially inaugurated on 22 July 2016 by Vice President Jusuf Kalla during the national commemoration of World Environment Day in Siak Regency.[6][8]

The name "Zamrud" (meaning "emerald" in Indonesian) was given by a vice president of PT California Texas (Caltex) during oil exploration in the area, inspired by the beautiful greenish appearance of the lake.[9]

Biodiversity

Zamrud National Park is known for its high biodiversity, particularly within its peat swamp forest ecosystem.[1][16]

Flora

A study recorded 65 plant species from 48 genera and 35 families within the park, including 34 tree species, 17 vine species, and 14 bush and herb species.[17] The primary forest within the park has the highest species diversity (H' = 3.57), followed by secondary forest (H' = 3.3) and post-fire areas (H' = 1.54).[18]

Notable tree species include Ramin (Gonystylus bancanus), Meranti (Shorea sp.), and various species of Dipterocarpaceae.[1] The understory contains numerous species of orchids, ferns, and medicinal plants, as well as unique aquatic vegetation in and around the lakes, including water lilies and various emergent plant species.[1]

Fauna

The park supports a diverse range of fauna typical of Sumatra's peat swamp forests.

Mammals: The park is home to several endangered and protected mammal species, including the Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae), sun bear (Helarctos malayanus), Malayan tapir (Tapirus indicus), and various deer species.[2][3] Primates present include siamang and macaques.[3][1]

Birds: The park hosts at least 38 bird species, including 12 protected species.[2][19] The Serindit (Loriculus galgulus) is the icon of Riau Province and is found within the park.[19]

Fish: The park's lakes are home to 14 species of fish, including eight with high economic value.[19] The Asian arowana (Scleropages formosus), known locally as Arwana Emas (Golden Arowana), is one of the park's notable species.[6][16]

Herpetofauna: A survey identified 33 herpetofauna species in the park, including 12 amphibians and 21 reptiles.[20] The most common species found was Cyrtodactylus majulah.[20] Other species include monitor lizards, freshwater crocodiles (Crocodylus novaeguineae), and water monitors.[1][3]

Conservation

Zamrud National Park was established to protect the remaining peat swamp forest and its ecosystem from the pressures of industry in the region, which is surrounded by nearly 3 million hectares of palm oil and pulpwood plantations.[6][2] The park is managed by the Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) of Riau Province under the Ministry of Environment and Forestry.[1][8]

The park's management strategies include zoning, with a core zone for strict protection and a utilization zone for ecotourism and community activities.[8] In 2019, the Siak Regency government and BKSDA Riau signed a memorandum of understanding to develop Zamrud National Park as a nature-based tourism destination.[9] The park's management has also involved collaboration with the oil and gas company BOB PT BSP-Pertamina Hulu, which operates in the area.[9]

In 2026, the Siak Regent expressed full support for the establishment of a Technical Implementation Unit (UPT) for the park to improve its management and provide social and economic benefits to local communities.[21]

Threats

The park faces threats from encroachment, illegal logging, and forest fires.[2][6] Peat swamp forests are naturally resistant to fire, but drainage and degradation make them vulnerable.[3] The park also faces pressure from land claims on its periphery, and experts warn that encroachers could move into the park if nearby protected areas are destroyed.[2][6]

The park's proximity to oil and gas facilities has also led to occasional wildlife sightings near industrial areas, increasing the likelihood of human-wildlife conflict.[22]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 "Zamrud - Indonesia". International Parks. Retrieved 2026-08-10.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Indonesia declares national park in top palm oil-producing province". Mongabay. 2016-07-27. Retrieved 2026-08-10.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "CIFOR: Taman Nasional Zamrud jadi model pencegahan karhutla". ANTARA News (in Indonesian). 2016-07-20. Retrieved 2026-08-10.
  4. ↑ "Category:Zamrud National Park". Wikimedia Commons. Retrieved 2026-08-10.
  5. ↑ "Zamrud National Park - National park with peat swamp forest in Riau, Indonesia". Aroundus. Retrieved 2026-08-10.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Riau's Zamrud forest named newest national park". The Jakarta Post. 2016-07-23. Retrieved 2026-08-10.
  7. ↑ "Taman Nasional Zamrud (Indonesia)". Library of Congress. Retrieved 2026-08-10.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "BBKSDA Riau siapkan skema wisata alam Taman Nasional Zamrud". ANTARA News Riau (in Indonesian). 2019-03-14. Retrieved 2026-08-10.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Asa Danau Zamrud menjadi kawasan wisata". ANTARA News Riau (in Indonesian). 2019-10-13. Retrieved 2026-08-10.
  10. 1 2 "Zamrud National Park (previously named Pulau Besar Lake/Bawah Lake Wildlife Reserve)". Biodiversity Heritage Library. Retrieved 2026-08-10.
  11. ↑ "Profil TN Zamrud". KSDAE (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2026-08-10.
  12. 1 2 "Danau Zamrud Akan Jadi Taman Nasional". ANTARA News Riau (in Indonesian). 2010-10-29. Retrieved 2026-08-10.
  13. ↑ "BBKSDA Riau basmi sawit dari taman nasional Zamrud". ANTARA News (in Indonesian). 2019-05-22. Retrieved 2026-08-10.
  14. ↑ "KLHK tetapkan TN Zamrud cegah penebangan hutan". ANTARA News (in Indonesian). 2016-07-12. Retrieved 2026-08-10.
  15. ↑ "The Zamrud Area is designated as a National Park through the Decree of the Minister of Environment and Forestry No. 350/ Menlhk/Setjen/PLA.2/5/2016". Garuda. Retrieved 2026-08-10.
  16. 1 2 "Mengenal keunikan Arwana khas Taman Nasional Zamrud". ANTARA News (in Indonesian). 2021-02-19. Retrieved 2026-08-10.
  17. ↑ "Flora Diversity At Danau Pulau Besar-Danau Bawah-Zambrud National Park Area, Riau Province". OUCI. Retrieved 2026-08-10.
  18. ↑ "Zamrud National Park is home to a peatland ecosystem known for its high biodiversity". Garuda. Retrieved 2026-08-10.
  19. 1 2 3 "President Jokowi to Inaugurate Zamrud National Park in Riau". ANTARA News Riau. 2026-04-09. Retrieved 2026-08-10.
  20. 1 2 "Herpetofauna diversity in Zamrud National Park, Indonesia: baseline checklist for a Sumatra peat swamp forest ecosystem". Amphibian & Reptile Conservation. 2020. Retrieved 2026-08-10.
  21. ↑ "Bupati Siak Dukung Pembentukan UPT Taman Nasional Zamrud". Media Center Riau (in Indonesian). 2026-02-04. Retrieved 2026-08-10.
  22. ↑ "Riau authorities probe Sumatran tiger sighting near oil facility". ANTARA News. 2026-01-15. Retrieved 2026-08-10.
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