Enviro Minister Slated To Open Symposium On Rafflesia

Bengkulu (Antara Bali) - Environmental Affairs and Forestry Minister Siti Nurbaya is slated to officially open an international symposium on Rafflesia Arnoldii and Amorphopallus Titanum, to be held here, on September 15, 2015.

Representatives of 10 countries will participate in the symposium, Sofi Mursidawati, chairperson of the organizing committee from the Indonesian Institute of Science (LIPI), said here, Monday.

Participants of the meeting will include scientists, researchers, NGO activists and businessmen involved in tourism.

A number of foreign participants, including those from Japan and France, have arrived in Bengkulu.

On September 16, the participants will join a field trip to a habitat of Rafflesia Arnoldii in Bovem Lais protected forest located in North Bengkulu.

During the symposium, the participants will discuss various research topics regarding the conservation of rare flowers all over the world.

They will also talk about the potential of biodiversity, efforts to protect flora and fauna, and sustainable development.

The meeting is expected to yield recommendations on strategies for protection of the Rafflesia and Amorphopallus flowers.

Bengkulu has some species of Rafflesia flowers, such as arnoldii, gadutensis, bengkuluensis and hasselti, Coordinator of the Bengkulu Community of Rare Flower Lovers, Sofian Ramadhan said.

Amorphophallus species existing in the province include titanum, phaeonifolius, gigas and variabilis.

"Rafflesia and amorphopallus will survive if their habitats in the forest are intact," he said.   

Two rare native flower species from the Sumatran forests, Rafflesia and Amorphopallus, have become endangered due to habitat conversion done for various purposes, the LIPI said.

         The two rare flower species had to be preserved by all parties, including researchers, governments and the community, Deputy for Life Sciences Enny Sudarmonowati said recently.

         "Not much time is left for botanists to apply research to conserve these giant flora," Sudarmonowati said.

The endangered status of the two rare species will be highlighted at the international symposium for Rafflesia Arnoldii and Amorphopallus Titanum, which will be organized by LIPI in Bengkulu from September 14 to 16, 2016.

The endangered flora indicated that changes have been taking place in the Sumatra forests, particularly Bengkulu, the native habitat of the flowers, Sudarmonowati remarked.

There is a biological aspect about the ideal habitat for these plants that remains a mystery. (WDY)