Ujung Kulon National Park
- A World Heritage Site, this park covers over 120,000 hectares on the western tip of Java. It is renowned as the home of the extremely endangered Javan rhinoceros, of which less than 60 are believed to exist in the wild. Other important species found h
ere include five species of primates and the endangered Javan wild dog. The marine and coastal regions of the park are home to a variety of coral reef fish, sea turtles, and dolphins.
As elsewhere in Indonesia, population pressure, economic development, collection of firewood and encroachment in the park for crop cultivation have posed major threats to the park.
WWF has been active in Ujung Kulon for several years. Its first efforts were focused on saving the Javan rhino. Recent activities have concentrated on resolving the problems arising from population pressure and encroachment.
As part of its PEC programme, the Indonesia Programme has undertaken small-scale community development work. Homestays have been established within the villages along the periphery of the park, besides a village-based guide and porter group. Special atten
tion has been given to promoting local handicrafts. These activities are designed to help secure alternative sources of income for local communities thereby reducing their need to exploit the park resources in unsustainable ways, and also securing for the
m gainful employment which depends for its viability on the preservation of a well-protected and managed national park.
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