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Sangeh Bali Monkey Forest
27 March 2011There is something attractive from the Bukit Sari Sangeh tourist object. The object is situated in Sangeh, about 20 km north of Denpasar. It does not only offer the cuteness of monkey, a cool natural atmosphere and service of professional attendants, but also more than that. The tourist object managed by Sangeh Customary Village poses a genuinely conservation of nature and Balinese culture.
Simply have a look at it! More than 700 monkeys live peacefully in the forest area of 10.8 hectares. These apes are living from forest crops, and also the food provided by the operator. Formerly, the forest dwellers were very fierce and mischievous. Foods of the visitors were taken away without permission. Even, the belongings or other accessories of visitors such as glasses, hats and so on were stolen, too. “However, having been managed skillfully by involving professional people since 2003, the main attraction of the object grew tamer,” said I Made Sumohon, Operations Head of Bukit Sari tourist object.
As the main attraction, these monkeys received exceptional care. Meals are provided 2 times a day. Similarly, their health check up is conducted once a year. When there is a sick monkey, the management will call veterinarian. However, to preserve the wildlife, the operator also sets up a cage for isolating the mischievous monkey and lab building for treating the sick monkeys. “We indeed provided health care services to these monkeys, like a human care. It is our major attraction that should be maintained and handled with care,” he explained.
In addition, the Sangeh forest is also inhabited by mammals such as ferrets, 8 species of birds such as Java sparrow and spotted dove, 3 reptiles such as snakes and 2 types of amphibians. “Well, this long-tailed grey ape (Macaca fascicularis) is our primary attraction for tourists visiting Sangeh,” said Sumohon while adding that to make the animals feel homey his party committed forest expansion and reforestation in 1993.
Remains everlasting
Nutmeg trees aging hundreds of years old remain everlasting and embellish the tropical forest. Interestingly, the large tree of around 6,443 can only grow in the territory of Sangeh forest, and cannot do elsewhere, even in any other region of Bali . It is said according folklore; the forest originated from Mount Agung (Karangasem) continued to run slowly at night. Originally, this forest was headed for Mengwi, but, since there was a person came across or Sang Ngeh in Balinese language, the forest halted right at Sangeh Village . Likewise, the vegetation of the forest is also enriched by about 27 other tree species such as Gliricidia, albasia, rubber tree and banyan trees. In addition, the forest is overgrown by 22 species of bushes such a bramble, lempeni and gunggung trees.
Another unique relic is the beautiful Bukit Sari Temple estimated to have existed in ancient times. It was seen from the style of building and carvings are different from the common ones. Aside from Bukit Sari Temple located in western part of the forest, there are also some other temples such as Melanting Temple in midst of forest, Tirta Temple in front side of the forest and Anyar Temple located in front of the entrance into the forest. “The temples are believed by local society as guardian of the forest along with its contents,” said Mrs. Jero, an attendant of the object on duty at the time. Thus, the Sangeh Forest is guarded from both sides, namely from sekala (visible realm) and niskala (invisible realm), so that it remains a sustainable forest until now.
