General
Pulau Yamdena is one of the major islands of the Tanimbar archipelago located
in south-east Maluku. The proposed area of the future Yamdena Nature Reserve
comprises 60,000 ha. but so far, only three nature reserves have been
established:
* Nustaram; comprising 3,200 ha. of scrubby forest at Yamdena's west coast
* Pulau Nuswotar; uninhabited coral island comprising 7,500 ha. off the
north-west coast of Yamdena
* Pulau Angwarmase; comprising 800 ha. of sandy beaches surrounded by coral
reefs off Yamdena's south coast
The extension of the reserve to its proposed 60,000 ha. depends on the outcome
of a year-long difference of opinion, considering Yamdena's future, between
the logging industry on the one side and locals and environmental
organizations on the other side.
Pulau Yamdena is relatively flat with some low hills in the central part of
the island. The island's interior is overgrown with untouched lowland decidous
forest; one of the few remaining areas in Indonesia where this ecosystem still
occurs. Towards the coast, freshwater swamp dominated by Oncosperma forms the
transition zone to extensive areas of mangrove forests. The western coast is
characterized by beach heads fringed by tidal mudflats.
The archipelago, although remote, is especially interesting for bird-watchers
as it supports eight endemic species.
Access
Saumlaki, Yamdena's major town, can be reached by boat or plane from Ambon.
Planes serve the island once a week, if they do?! To get there by boat, catch
one of the passenger boats, Bukit Siguntang or Rinjani, from Ambon to Kei
(more or less weekly), then Tatamailau from Kei (once a month, 15hrs), or
ferry from Kei (once a week, 30hrs).
Accommodation
* Saumlaki
o Hotel Ratulel
o Kellybait
o Harapan Indah
o Pantai Indah |
