Aceh has millions of attractive natural beauty to enjoy. The area is located on the western tip of the island of Sumatrttca has beautiful sea, beautiful forest and towering mountains.
Not only that, Aceh is also an ideal habitat for the survival of flora and fauna whose existence is very rare such as Orangutan, Sumatran Tiger, Sumatran Elephant and Sumatran Rhino.
Leuser Ecosystem Area (KEL)
Discussing about Aceh's forest, certainly not apart from the existence of Leuser Ecosystem Area (KEL). Based on the Decree of the Minister of Forestry RI No. 190 / Kpts-II / 2001, KEL region has an area of 2,255,577 hectares and is located in 14 districts and cities in Aceh and North Sumatra Province through the Decree of the Minister of Forestry No.10193 / Kpts-II / 2002,covers an area of 384,294 hectares.
KEL is a protected area and a very convenient place for the survival of flora and fauna whose existence is increasingly rare we meet in the wild.
More than 3,500 species of fauna can be found in this region, even the rarest ones such as rafflesia (Rafflesia Atjehensis and R. Micropylora). In addition, the fauna here is also no less amazing. Starting from birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, mammals to carnivores.
The area that forms an ecosystem consists of several species such as lowland forest, grasslands, freshwater swamps, valleys / gaps and some volcanoes. This area is located at an altitude between 0 to 3404 mdpl. The diversity and variety of flora and fauna is also what makes Unesco set KEL as one of the best Biosphere Reserve in the world today.
]
However, all the wealth and beauty that do not make us deserve pride. All of that will just disappear if the Aceh forest continues to be cleared and converted into a non-forest area (deforestation).
Rawa Singkil Wildlife Reserve
Located about 550 kilometers from Banda Aceh City, we can find Rawa Singkil. The area which is administratively located in South Aceh Regency, Aceh Singkil and Subulussalam City keeps the beauty that we can not find in other area except in swamp area.
]
To the north, Rawa Singkil is bordered by Kec. Trumon. Regency of Singkil in the south and Kec. Kuala Baru. West side bordered by Kec. Trumon, Kec. Kuala Baru and the Indian Ocean and to the east by the Singkil River, Longkib, Kec. Kota Baharu and PT ASN.
History and Condition of SM Rawa Singkil Area
The Singkil Rawa Wildlife Reserve was originally a production forest of 46,000 hectares from a total area of 102,500 hectares based on Ministry of Forestry Decree No.166 / Kpts-II / 1998 dated February 28, 1998.
The change of function from production forest to Asylum Margaka is valid after PT Lembah Bhakti's concession period ends in 1999 and PT Alas Aceh Perkasa Timber.
Based on the latest decree, Rawa Singkil Wildlife Sanctuary is noted to have an area of 81,802.22 hectares (SK Minister of Environment and Forestry No.859 / MENLHK / Setjen / PLA.2 / 11/2016).
SM Rawa Singkil is in : a flat area with a peat distribution that stores a lot of carbon and has a diverse range of areas ranging from forests, swamps and rivers. Land cover areas include primary forest, secondary forest and primary swamp.
The peat potential in SM Rawa Singkil (about 80 percent of the total area) has a depth of 3 to 7 meters is called to have a very big role as a buffer of life against 26,702 people in 8 subdistricts and 47 villages around SM Rawa Singkil .
"The peat land has a sponge-like property, which functions to absorb water during the rainy season that flows from the upstream (forest) and slowly releases it during the dry season. Therefore, SM Rawa Singkil is one area that is very important to be maintained, "said Head of Conservation and Natural Resources (BKSDA). in addition to functioning as a guardian of nature around it, Rawa Singkil also has great natural potential both biodiversity and non-biological.
The Singkil Swamp is specified to be an ideal habitat for 20 species of mammals, 157 species of birds, 15 species of herpetofauna, 17 types of aquatic biota, 130 species of woody plants, 134 types of undersea plants and 40 species of aquatic plants and has a diversity of ecosystems ranging from peat swamp forests, swamp forests fresh water, mangrove forests to riparians.
Rawa Singkil also said it is now home to protected wildlife such as Sumatran Orangutans, Sun Bears, Sumatran Tigers and Crocodiles. It is not wrong if SM Rawa Singkil has the title of The Little Amazon that we can meet in Aceh.
"SM Rawa Singkil is a wonderful gift from the Creator. We must maintain the sustainability of the area for the sake of the survival of the flora and fauna that exist in it and the ecosystem as the life support of the surrounding population, "