Forest Purwo National Park
Forest Purwo National Park (Alas Purwo in Indonesian) is located in Banyuwangi, East Java Province, Indonesia. Banyuwangi it self is about 10 km west of Bali, and divided by Bali strait.
- Bamboo Forest
Forest Purwo is a heterogenic forest with 43.420 ha wide, with a complete nature (sea, sand, sun, forest, wild animal & sport) and culture spots. Forty percent of the area is dominated with Bamboo Forest.
Based on the ecosystem types, Forest Purwo is divided into some areas, like Bamboo Forest, Beach-Foret, Mangrove, Natural Forest, and Feeding Ground.
Alas Purwo in Indonesian/Javanese language means ‘ The First Forest‘, or it is believed as the oldest forest in Java Island. No wonder, the local people considers Alas Purwo/Forest Purwo as a sacred place, with a bunch of mystical sphere in certain spots.
Various kinds of flora and fauna, and nature’s caves can be found here.
- Lutung or Apes (Trachypithecus auratus auratus)
Sawo kecik and bamboo mangon are some of the protected flora. The dominant fauna in this forest is the species called Banteng Sadengan ( Buffalo Sadengan).
The society of this wild buffalo live in steppe of 80 Ha wide. Some other animals that exist in the conservatory are tortoise (Chelonia mydas), panther (Panthera pardus melas), Apes (Trachypithecus auratus auratus), deers, etc
Some of the famous caves that can be found in this forest are Goa Istana ( Cave Palace ) , goa Padepokan ( Cave Padepokan), Goa Putri ( Cave Princess), Goa Basori ( Cave Basori). Cave Basori is considered as having mystic.
In forest Purwo area, a famous beach named Pantai Plengkung (beach Plengkung), which is often used for surfing. It is a white sandy beach with good shore and wave. Beach Plengkung is about 75km from Banyuwangi city.
