Alas Purwo National Park, National park at the eastern tip of Java, Indonesia
Alas Purwo sits at the easternmost point of Java and protects roughly 43,420 hectares of land that includes mangrove forests, coastal stretches, savanna landscapes, and tropical rainforest. The protected area extends along the shoreline and inland, where different habitats transition into one another and support a wide range of plant and animal life.
The area received official protection in 1993 to prevent threatened animal and plant species from disappearing. This decision marked a major step in Indonesia's early efforts to secure natural habitats through government action.
The Luhur Giri Salaka temple inside the reserve serves as a spiritual center for Hindu worshippers who travel here for ritual observances and ceremonial offerings. Pilgrims visit regularly to perform prayers and honor the sacred connection between this coastal landscape and their faith traditions.
Visitors can join guided tours offered between April and October when weather conditions make outdoor exploration easier. Certain areas remain accessible to guests, while other zones stay protected for wildlife conservation.
Four different sea turtle species choose the sandy beaches here for egg laying, including leatherback, green, hawksbill, and olive ridley turtles. These shores offer ideal nesting conditions, which is why turtles swim long distances to deposit their eggs here.
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