TEMPO.CO, Bengkulu - Two rafflesia flowers each type of Rafflesia Arnoldii and Rafflesia Gadutensis bloom in two different locations in the Bengkulu province.

“There are two flowers that are in perfect bloom and the type is also different,” said Coordinator Community Care Puspa Rare (KPPL) Bengkulu, Sofian Ramadhan, in Bengkulu, Sunday, March 4, 2018.

He said one flower of Rafflesia Gadutensis blooms perfectly in the Boven Lais protected forest area of North Bengkulu Regency. While one flower Rafflesia Arnoldii blooms perfectly in the forest area around Manau IX Village Kaur District. “Each of these habitats is monitored by a team from the Rare Puspa Community,” said Sofian.

Read also: Rafflesia Bengkuluensis and Gadutensis Flowers Bloom in Bengkulu

The Boven Lais protected forest area is a home to Rafflesia Gadutensis, Rafflesia Arnoldii, and Rafflesia Kemumu that are regularly monitored by the members of the North Bengkulu KPPL.

North Bengkulu KPPL Coordinator Riki Septian said the rare flower habitat of Rafflesia makes the Boven Lais protected forest a reliable ecotourism destination in the region. “A number of tourists from France have come to see the uniqueness of rafflesia flowers,” he said.

While the habitat of Rafflesia Arnoldii and Rafflesia Bengkuluensis in Kaur Regency is routinely monitored by the Youth Community Care of Padang Guci Rare Puspa, Kaur. Community members provide guides and have made ecotourism routes in the Bukit Barisan forest area.

“Today we have found one Rafflesia Arnoldii blooms perfectly and it can be enjoyed up to three to four days ahead,” said Coordinator KPPGPPL Kaur, Andri Yan.

ANTARA