2015 Journal of Indonesian Natural History Vol 3 No 1 7
I
n recent years, a lot of conservation attention has been drawn to the Heart of Borneo and the urgent need for action to ensure the long term survival of this unique area. Geographically, the Murung Raya district is exactly in the centre of Borneo. However, until today, this district remains a little known part of Borneo.Even these days as development is expanding into the more remote interior of Borneo, reaching the area is still difficult. The area may have been historically protected from rapid exploitation and development by its isolation. However, it has also resulted in paucity of information on the biological and cultural richness and significance of this area.
Oral history from inhabitants of the area indicate that some caves have possibly been used by various groups of nomadic hunter-gatherers for centuries. So far, no scientific investigation has been conducted to verify this information and enrich our understanding of who those people exactly were and how long their history dates back.
Similarly there is limited information on the biological diversity of this area, which is suspected to be high because of the geological variety. One exception has been the Barito Ulu project, a long term research effort that not only confirmed the high biodiversity but also the unique interaction between humans and nature in the area. The Indonesia Science Council has recognised the significance of this area and initiated research to propose the area as a World Heritage Site because of its importance for in situ conservation.
Against this background, it is timely that the Indonesian Journal of Natural History dedicates a special issue to Murung Raya. The articles not only augment the scientific body of information and knowledge about the biological diversity of this area, it also describes the interaction between humans and the natural resources they encounter in their surroundings. Finally, it draws attention to an important and delicate issue: local perceptions on development (driven by natural resource based operations) and conservation.
The biodiversity of Murung Raya
Godwin Limberg1
1Daemeter Consulting, Jl. Tangkuban Prahu no. 1, Bogor 16151, Indonesia
