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)
Related News
Rafflesia Researchers Visit Boven Lais Protected Forest In Bengkulu
Thursday, 17 September 2015 16:58
International Researchers Discuss Rafflesia In Bengkulu
Wednesday, 16 September 2015 17:00
Bengkulu Needs to Have a Rafflesia Calendar
Wednesday, 16 September 2015 7:23
Bengkulu to Host International Rafflesia Symposium
Tuesday, 8 September 2015 8:25
Rafflesia, Amorphopallus Flowers Declared Endangered Species
Saturday, 12 September 2015 13:03
Two Rafflesia Arnoldii Flowers Bloom in Kaur Forest, Bengkulu
Friday, 10 Maret 2017 13:00
Bengkulu's Rafflesia Arnoldii Attracts Foreign Tourists
Monday, 10 Agustus 2015 17:25
165 Indonesain children join Kuark science olympiad
Sunday, 28 April 2019 19:01
Indonesia wins world's robot contest in AS
Friday, 19 April 2019 21:03
SEAMEO seminar discusses seven priority areas in Bali
Thursday, 20 September 2018 8:41
Bali Nansan to boost Indonesia-China close relations
Friday, 4 Mei 2018 19:47
Huaqiao University to strengthen RI-China ties
Thursday, 3 Mei 2018 18:48