Bali Barat National Park

Though Bali has undergone a rapid growth in tourism industry, it also pays great attention to the conservation of its nature. Many forest complexes scattered throughout the island are well maintained as the ‘lungs’ of the island. One of the ‘lungs’ located in western part of the island is the Bali Barat National Park established in 1941. This verdant forest extends on 77,000 hectares of land and spreads along the 150 km road connecting Gilimanuk to Denpasar or Gilimanuk to Singaraja. It is located right between the Grokgak district of Buleleng and Melaya district of Jembrana regency. The park is accessed from Gilimanuk as the main entrance to West Bali, and from Denpasar.
This tropical forest grows on Bali’s southern and western slopes. Bali Barat National Park covers 50,000 hectares on the western tip of the island. Similarly, it includes another 7,000 hectares of coral reef and coastal water. Considering the small size of the island as a whole, the National Park is a major commitment towards attempting to preserve the wildlife found on Bali. The forest in this area has been determined as Nature Reserve—later on known as Nature Reserve of Bali’s Nature based on the stipulation of Kings of Bali dated 13 August 1917 No.E-1/4/5. This regulation is intended to preserve the rich heritage of flora and fauna within this area.
The region is watered by crystal clear streams and traversed by footpaths offering steep but relatively easy walking. Simply explore the forested hills, scrub acacia near the coast, and the pristine reefs and dense mangrove swamps along the Teluk Terima and the bays to the East. A wide variety of fauna lives here, including the Bali starling (Leucopsar rothschildi), bull (Bos javanicus), antelope (Muntiacus muntjak), deer (Cervus timorensis), monkey (Presbytis cristata, Macaca sp.), scaly anteater (Manis javanica), boar (Sus scrofa), hedgehog (Hystrix javanica), Sturnus melanotenus, Sturnus contra, Acridotenis fuscus, Picoides mucet, Orialus chinensis, Haliastur sp. and Galus sp.