Balikpapan Hotels

Kalimantan or Borneo has a dense forest area although now getting smaller. However, you can still feel the atmosphere of natural forests in East Kalimantan precisely in the Forest Wanawisata .

Wanawisata forest which is a large park with many types of species that are endangered Bornean tree is a popular tourist destination for a family picnic activities.

An attractive layout, making this Wanawisata always crowded, especially during the weekend visit. In addition, nature tourism location that is open every day from 8:00 to 17:00 o'clock this pm, wearing a fairly cheap entry fee, only Rp1.000 per person.

Upon entering the Forest Wanawisata located 300-400 meters from Jalan Airport at mile 10, Coral Joang this, you will see a gravel road. This manghadirkan challenge when slowly entered the forest canopy.

Shade trees are scattered in various corners Wanawisata also provides a cool environment. It's very fitting if you want to feel the serenity in her tone that is natural.

In addition to the local tree species have a collection of rare, Wanawisata also be used to hold various activities the group because a wide space available in this area.

An open field in the middle of the forest can be used to play touch football or a camping site for nature lovers.

For families, Wanawisata provide an interesting playground with various children's games. In addition, you can also see deer, sambar or a monkey in a cage near the playground. Monkey is very interesting, because they will perform various acts funny when approached.

Access to the Forest can be reached via Balikpapan Wanawisata. Although Samarinda is the capital of East Kalimantan, but the airport is located in Sepinggan, Balikpapan.

To reach the location of this tour takes approximately 15 minutes by car from Balikpapan via Balikpapan-Samarinda Trans.

When using public transportation, you can drive the bus number 8 from the terminal Batu Ampar in Balikpapan.

If you are planning to go to Forest Wanawisata, do not forget to bring food, drinks, and mats to sit.

Construction  bridge Balang Island destroying assessed  to Balikpapan Bay area and Sungai Wain Protection Forest in East Kalimantan. The government suggested to move the location of the project to other regions.
The destruction of the environment of both regions was revealed in the workshop on "Safety Status of Biodiversity in East Kalimantan" in Campus Mulawarman, Samarinda, East Kalimantan, on Saturday (22 / 5) then.

Balang Islands Government to build bridges in order to connect the North and the District Penajam Paser-restricted Balikpapan Bay. The bridge is expected to strengthen economic and social relations the two regions. During these two regions to achieve it must use the ferry with a travel time of one hour.

Stanislav Lhota, a researcher at the University of South Bohemia Republic of Chechnya, who became speaker in the workshop, said that a number of mangrove trees on the island and coastal bay Balang Penajam and Balikpapan forced to cut for construction of a bridge pillar. Something similar happened in Sungai Wain Protection Forest in Balikpapan. "The project was destructive," said Lhota disappointed.

Lhota since 2006, examines the lives of primates and wildlife in the Bay of Balikpapan and Sungai Wain Protection Forest.

Another speaker, Chief of the Regional Technical Implementation Unit Development of Nature Conservation in East Kalimantan Forest Service Heranata Widi Wahyu, acknowledge the environmental damage caused by the construction of the bridge. However, extensive damage has not been recorded.

Head of Research Center for Tropical Forest Boer Mulawarman Chandradewana deplores the destruction of ecosystems. According to him, it was due to the attitude that the government was reluctant to consider the suggestion academics, researchers and environmental activists.

Obstructed

Bridge project is running since early 2007, but faltered due to lack of funding. The plan is built in a two-span bridge. Short span of 500 meters connecting the mainland and the island Penajam Balang. The 1200 meter long span linking the island and the mainland of Balikpapan.

Access roads needed along 100 kilometers, but now everything has not been built. The road will split the mangrove area and the Sungai Wain Protection Forest in Balikpapan and mangrove forests in Penajam.

According to Boer, such a government plan also triggered by the encroachment of the mangrove community. "The government should cancel the construction of bridges and access roads, but to optimize the ferry-Penajam Kariangau," he said.

Lhota added, very regrettable if the Bay is over and damaged. "People will lose biodiversity that are still alive, like the proboscis monkey (Nasalis larvatus), Irrawaddy Dolphin Bay (Orcaella brevirostris), monkeys, a variety of fish and birds, and various types of plants," he reminded