Malagufuk Ecotourism Village, Protecting, Maintaining and Caring for Forests
Malagufuk is an ecotourism village located in the middle of rainforest in Kalasou valley, Sorong, West Papua. The area is rich in biodiversity. Malagufuk has long been planned to become one of the tourist destinations in Sorong Regency. For some people, Malagufuk Village is considered very exotic, because it is still surrounded by wilderness and supported the local people who very strict about their customs.
This makes Malagufuk one of the tourist destinations for local and foreign tourists. To get there, tourists have to cover of 20-30 kilometers in about two hours. Malagufuk is a small vilage living in the Klasow valley and, in fact, a lowland forest where hunting has stopped, It’s worth visiting it, Although the area shares several species with the well-known Nimbokrang region but a visit to this remote location to find lowland specialties.
Entering the tourist area of Malagufuk, tourists will be spoiled for a very natural view. It is suitable for tourists who like nature tourism activities. An elongated road that can be traversed slowly, becomes a suitable place to take pictures from various points of view. There, tourists can see Cenderawasih, Cassowary and Parrot birds flying freely without any disturbance. There are even bird-wing butterflies, butterflies that have wings like birds.
The atmosphere is quiet, the occasional chirping of birds enliven the wilderness that has not been touched by many humans. Although you have to walk for 3 hours, but the natural beauty is comparable to the journey taken. Currently, the access road is being built. It is a pedestrian made of wood to facilitate future visitors.
One of the highlights of Malagufuk is the wooden bridge. A bridge spans 3,305 kilometers. The Malagufuk Bridge is listed as the longest wooden bridge in Indonesia and has been recorded in the Indonesian World Record Museum (MURI). This bridge uses Merbau wood. Making visitors enjoy their tour more, seeing birds of paradise, flora and fauna endemic to Papua.
Malagufuk Birding
Indonesia's rainforests are home to 41 species of birds of paradise, the 37 of which can be found in Papua wildernes forests. Papua is home to a third of Indonesia's remaining rainforests but they are logged illegally. Malagufuk is located east of Sorong, drive about 1 hour 30 minutes from Sorong to the village stop point and then continue on foot for about 3 hours to reach the village.
Although it is a long journey to reach the village, it does not make Malagufuk lose its charm to attract the attention of birders around the world. Birds that are easily found in Malagufuk such as the Northern Cassowary, Blyth Hornbill, Red-breasted Cendrawasih Kingfisher, Blue and Black Kingfisher, Papuan Dwarf Kingfisher, Black Lory, Rusty Pitohui, Gray Whistler, and Cendrawasih that you can see only in Malagufuk such as the King Bird of Paradise, Lesser Bird of Paradise, Twelve wired Bird of Paradise, and Magnificent Rifle Bird.
