The Black Orchid! Only In East Kalimantan (Padang Luway)

Who does not know the black orchid ( Coelogyne pandurata ) ? Its beauty has been celebrated all across Indonesia and even the world . This is a native species of flora of Borneo . One habitat is in Padang Luway Nature Reserve which is administratively located in three districts , namely District Sekolaq Army , Peace Melak district and sub-district , West Kutai regency , East Kalimantan .

Padang Luway a heath forests , the soil in the form of grit ( sand ) that is white . Plants in the region dominated by Medang ( Dehasia sp ) , Way ( Euginia sp ) , rubber ( Havea sp ) , Pelawan ( Tristania obovata ) and Pelaga ( Schima wallichii ) . Also in this region also found that well-known medicinal plant which pegs the earth ( Eurycoma longifolia ) . Animals living in these areas include wild boar , warik , elk , deer , monitor lizards and several species of birds such as hornbills , pigeon , parakeets , Pergam and crows .

Padang Luway defined as the Nature Reserve by Decree of the Minister of Agriculture 792/Kpts/Um/10/1982 number dated October 29, 1982 on Nature Conservation Reserve Padang Luway expansion of 1,000 hectares to 5,000 hectares . Based on the results of the reconstruction limit Consolidation Center Forest Region IV in 2006 , the extent of 4896.35 hectares . Management is at the Natural Resources Conservation Center East Kalimantan ( Anonymous , 2009) .Black orchid is very easy to find in the Nature Reserve area Luway Padang which is habitat for the native species of flora . As epiphytic plants , black orchid live attached to wood or tree trunk , beside some of which grow on the forest floor on a stick that had fallen .Black orchid ( Coelogyne pandurata )Black orchid Coelogyne pandurata have a scientific name . These plants live clustered to form clumps . The base has an oval tubers slightly flattened , with two towering elliptical leaves up . Most people think that the black orchid black overall . But the reality is not so. Black orchid shaped flower stalk with a number from 5-10 buds per stalk . Flower color is dominated by yellow-green color on the petals and the crown , while the lips are black flowers which are part of the black spots with a combination of black lines . Beauty can dinikmatai flowering season arrives.

Black Orchid flowering season usually occurs at the end of the year between the months of October to December . When the flower season , there are hundreds of flowers that we can meet there . According to local belief , black orchid has a mystical power . Dayak people have great respect for the black orchid , steal it means is a violation of customary law which is difficult unforgivable .

In addition to the black orchid , in the region can also be found several other orchid species such as cane orchids ( Gramatophyllum speciosum ) , pigeon orchid ( Dendrobium cruminatum ) , pigeon orchid soil ( Bromheadia finlaysoniana ) and several other types of orchids . In addition it found that some types of carnivorous pitcher plants ( Nepenthes sp ) .Along with the development time , the existence of black orchids in Padang Nature Reserve Luway increasingly threatened . Fires most of the year is a serious threat to its existence . Great fire devastated a few years ago had left the region and now vacant land that has been overgrown shrubs . Distribution of black orchids in Padang Nature Reserve area Luway currently only ± 45 ha of the total area of 5000 hectares , which is contained in Luway grit . The remainder is scrub , grassland , open areas and rubber plantations owned by local people .

Local community activities were also negative impacts on the region . In the Nature Reserve area , can be found easily owned rubber plantation society . It is ironic indeed , the area should be maintained as a place of authenticity actually used farming . Also found settlements anyway .

In addition to the threat of fire and grazing , the policy of the Department of Tourism West Kutai Nature Reserve area to make it work as a tourist Padang Luway increased the severity of the problems in this area . And if you see a Nature Reserve status , should be permitted activities are for the benefit of research and development , science , education and other activities that support farming . Theft , waste and habitat disturbance are some of the negative impacts of tourism .

Based on the results of monitoring and evaluation KSDA East Kalimantan in 2008 , to date in this area has established several support buildings tourism activities such as : tourist information center for visitors ( information center ) , a means to sell food ( carts / display to put merchandise ) and the portal of entry to the Nature Reserve area . Not to mention the construction of road transport Coal PT . Trubaindo , which are located very close to the limit of Padang Luway Nature Reserve . Feared the road would widen and threaten the existence of the Nature Reserve Padang Luway ( Anonymous , 2008) .

Natural Resources Conservation Center as an institution that manages the region has been, is and will undertake activities which aim to maintain the existence of this region . With all the advantages and limitations , KSDA Kaltim has made ​​efforts to address these issues . The activities that have been carried them , to communicate and socialize with Tourism Department of West Kutai in order to stop the tourism activities in the Nature Reserve , lowering the level of encroachment through community development activities around the area , the establishment of a cadre of conservation and socialization of legislation to increase awareness of conservation , protection of the area through the establishment and maintenance of area shelters firefighters who work with the public and relevant agencies .

Activities being carried out functional areas such as operations , routine patrol area , the region routine security , fire prevention and suppression operations , socialization penngendalian forest fire through coordination meetings and the distribution of posters . In 2010 KSDA Kaltim plans to build an office building of Regional Operations Forest and Land Fire Control ( Daops Dalkarhut ) , as has been done in Paser . Expected with the establishment of the office Daops Dalkarhut in West Kutai District , issues related to forest fires can be resolved soon .

With so many problems that occur in the area of ​​Padang Nature Reserve Luway may not even deterring us in an effort to preserve Nature Reserve Padang contribution to protecting the particular black orchid and other species who depend on Nature Reserves Luway Padang . Hopefully .