The commemoration of a decade since the establishment of Gunung Maras National Park (TN) on July 27, 2026, marks an important milestone for environmental conservation in the Bangka Belitung Islands Province. The conservation area, often dubbed the 'Roof of Bangka Belitung', continues to be strengthened in its function as a fortress for biodiversity protection and a habitat for various endemic species.
Administratively, this conservation area, managed by the South Sumatra Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) under the Ministry of Forestry, stretches across the Bangka and West Bangka Regencies. With its highest peak reaching 710 meters above sea level, Gunung Maras National Park offers a rich landscape, ranging from lowland forest ecosystems, mountainous areas, to unique mangrove ecosystems.
This area plays a crucial role as home to protected rare fauna, such as the Bangka slow loris (Nycticebus bancanus) and the Bangka tarsier (Cephalopachus bancanus). Not only serving as a sanctuary for wildlife, the natural beauty of Mount Maras also attracts adventure lovers through iconic waterfall destinations, such as Berbura Waterfall, Bidadari Waterfall, and Tujuh Tingkat (Seven-Tiered) Waterfall.
Commemorating its 10th anniversary with the theme "Preserving Bangka's Biodiversity", the management organized a series of concrete actions. These steps include tightening supervision of hiking trails, providing ecological education for hikers, and giving appreciation to visitors who orderly maintain the cleanliness and sustainability of the forest.
Head of the South Sumatra BKSDA, Daniwari Widiyanto, emphasized that protecting the Gunung Maras National Park ecosystem requires a strong collective commitment. He invited all levels of society and local governments to actively synergize in preventing all illegal activities that could damage the conservation of endemic wildlife and local ecotourism potential.
