Sembilang National Park, Nature reserve in South Sumatra, Indonesia.
Sembilang National Park is a nature reserve that covers an area of about 200,000 hectares with mangroves, peat swamps, and different forest types along Sumatra's eastern coast. The park connects freshwater zones with coastal areas into a single connected ecosystem.
This area became a national park in 2001 after being separated from a larger protected area to better protect the mangrove forests of the eastern coast. That change allowed stronger focus on the unique habitats of this specific region.
Local fishing communities use the coastal waters with boats and nets that are visible throughout designated zones of the park. These practices have shaped how people and nature coexist in this region for generations.
Visitors can go on guided tours along waterways and walking paths with local guides to see the forests and wildlife. Plan to visit during drier months when water routes and forest paths are easier to navigate.
From October to December, tens of thousands of migratory birds from Siberia, Korea, and Japan arrive on the coastal mudflats. This large bird migration makes the area especially active for anyone interested in observing birds during those months.
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