Tourism Boat to Take Tourists to Explore the Beauty of Berbak Sembilang National Park

The Sembilang sector of The Berbak Sembilang National Park is a representation of the peatland forests, freshwater forests and riparian/riverside forests of South Sumatra Province. The land and water plants that grow in the area are characterized by Giant Ferns (Angiopteris avecta), Nipa Palms (Nypa fruticans), Australian pines (Casuarina equisetifolia), Pandans (Pandanus), Portia trees (Thespesia populnea), Nibungs (Oncosperma tigillarium), Jelutongs (Dyera costulata), Mengarises (Koompassia excelsa), and Gelam tikuses (Syzygium inophylla). Besides the ecological wealth of flora and fauna, this area also contains wealth of marine products (fishes and shrimps) off the coast of the Sembilang river estuary. It is also a gathering place and the habitat of sumatran tigers, sumatran elephants, tapir, gibbons, asiatic golden cats, sambar deers, saltwater crocodiles, small-headed softshell turtles, irrawaddy dolphins, various species of birds and of course the sembilang fishes. Tens of thousands of migratory birds from Siberia can also be seen in Sembilang in certain seasons.

In the spirit of the 2018 ASIAN GAMES that will be held in Palembang city, South Sumatra Province, with the initiation of the South Sumatra Government, Belantara Foundation built the “Musi – Sembilang River Tourism Boat” to promote tourism in South Sumatra Province, especially the Berbak – Sembilang Biosphere Reserve, which was just officially enlisted in UNESCO’s Biosphere Reserve list at the 30th UNESCO International Coordinating Council of the Man and Biosphere (ICC-MAB) program which took place in Palembang city, South Sumatra on July 23st - 27th 2018.

Inaugurated in person by the Governor of South Sumatra Province, Mr. H. Alex Noerdin on August 9 2018 in Palembang city, Belantara’s tourism boat is expected to contribute to the tourism of South Sumatra Province, especially in the Sembilng sector of Berbak – Sembilang National Park and add value to the region and exposure to the general public and attract their interest in participating in the region's conservation.

The Musi – Sembilang River Tourism Boat is a Jukung type boat with a capacity to accommodate 30 tourists and 4 crew members with various facilities, such as one main room/meeting room, 4 full airconditioned bedrooms, a kitchen, a bathroom, and a deck to where the tourist can enjoy the view. The tourism boat is also equipped with emergency equipment and other required safety provisions.

After obtaining a sailing permit, the operation of the boat will then be discussed with the Government of South Sumatra, The Tourism Office, and NGOs. All profits obtained from the operation of this boat will be fully returned to preserve the environment and strengthen the capacity of local communities.
With tourism, the public will be able to see the beauty of nature and be called upon to protect, preserve and sustain the tourism objects, which includes natural beauty attractions, historical buildings and heritages, as well as the community’s traditional cultures.

The inauguration proceedings of the Belantara Tourism Boat were marked by the signing of the inscription by the Governor of South Sumatra, Mr. H. Alex Noerdin, which was followed by the ribbon cutting, then continued by embarking the boat’s deck to make a trial trip, ending the boat’s inauguration ceremony.