TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The appearance of Javan Eagle on Mount Merapi, Central Java indicates that ecosystem on the Mount Merapi National Park is starting to recover after a major eruption happened in 2010.
“The activity of the Javan eagle indicates that the forest area on the slope of Mt Merapi is currently restoring,” said Asep Nia Kurnia, the Coordinating Ecosystem Controller of Mt Merapi National Park (TNGM) on Tuesday, as quoted by Antara News.
According to Asep, there were four to six Javan eagle (Spizaetus bartelsi) inhabiting the TNGM before the eruption. In 2011, the number decrease to four. In December 2014, officers recorded the presence of the bird in TNGM area. Although it is still unknown whether the bird is one of the four previously- identified eagles or a newcomer.
Either case, Asep said, the return of the bird into the national park is a good indicator of the recovery since the birds are very sensitive and selective in picking their hiding place. Many parts of the land have now restored to green. The restoration of the park takes place both naturally and by human intervention.
“Monkeys are rising in number as well as bird species,” said Asep.
“Today there are 140 types of bird species inhabiting [the park]. It indicates that TNGM is almost restored."
ANTARA | MARYATI | INDRAS WULANDARI
