|
Welcome to Tangkahan…
Tangkahan is sometimes mentioned as the HIDDEN PARADISE IN SUMATRA.
It is definitely hidden and for many a paradise. It is the perfect
place to get off the beaten track, but still have access to nice
food and comfortable bungalows.
 Tangkahan is an interesting place in
many ways. Interesting for what it has to offer and an interesting
background. The elephants, the jungle, and the clean rivers are
obvious attractions. What makes Tangkahan different is that it is a
good example on how community based eco-tourism can stop illegal
logging, improve livelihood, and develop a sense of pride amongst
the locals. This development on the border of Leuser National Park where the bigger river Batang
Serangan meets the smaller river Sungai Musam is the hidden paradise
of Tangkahan.
- Join the forest rangers on their elephants when they patrol
the jungle!
- Float down the clear river!
- Go jungle trekking!
- Soak yourself in hot springs!
 Lembaga Pariwisata Tangkahan (LPT) is a local organization formed
with the purpose to develop eco-tourism as a new form of lively hood
and in this way prevent illegal logging. The idea was successful and
illegal logging was effectively stopped in 2001.
Indecon helped establish LPT and gave training in
guiding, handicraft, etc.
 The Community Response Unit (CRU) was formed by
Fauna &
Flora International and elephants
were brought in to Tangkahan from Aceh. In some areas where humans
and elephants often come in conflict over land use, elephants have
been removed to a few "elephant schools". One of these is in Saree,
south of Banda Aceh. In Tangkahan the elephants were given a new
dual function:
- They directly help the rangers to patrol the forest of the
national park against illegal logging.
- As an eco-tourism attraction they improve the livelihood of
the local communities and in this way indirectly prevent illegal
logging.
 You can find an area map under
TRANSPORTATION and a
local map under
ACCOMMODATION AND FOOD.
Note: When this was written, prices where about to change.
|
