Banjarmasin, S Kalimantan (Antaranews Kalsel) - As many as 150 endemic species of Kalimantan fruit are threatened following increasingly widespread logging, plantations, and mining.
"If there is no rescue effort, the typical fruits will become extinct," said South Kalimantan local fruit observer Hanif Wicaksono at the sideline of Durian Fruit Contest and Exhibition of Exotic Kalimantan Fruit held by South Kalimantan Governor Syahbirin Noor at the Kiram tourist site, about 70 km north of Banjarmasin on Thursday.
According to Hanif Wicaksono, the winner of the Satu Indonesia Award organized by the Astra Group, 150 endemic species of fruit are genetic sources that must remain for grandchildren in the future.
He advised the policymakers to maintain the genetics by not allowing mining and plantation businesses to eliminate the genetic source.
"Just imagine if one mountain on which there is a rare type of genetic source, then cut and peeled only to take one commodity, for example, coal, then the genetic source will disappear forever. Of course, it is very dear. Whereas alternative energy sources can be sought to replace coal, "Hanif said.
He mentioned the types of endemic fruit, for example, durian have about eight varieties and dozens of species with various local names, such as lahung, mantaula, lekol, mahrawin, karatongan, pampakin, pampakin layung, matuala. The differences are in the shape, thorns of skin, color of skin, color of contents, and the aroma.
There is one type of durian that was once thought to be extinct, but it was found again in Marajai Village, Halong, Balangan, the durian trako. The fruit is red, while the skin is golden yellow.
Then there are 17 types of jackfruit, with the usual local name tarap, tarap banyu, tiwadak, binturung, kulidang, mentawa, tarusung, buyian, and other names.
Rambutan has five species, lingkit, siwau, rambutan, buluan, untit, jari-jari, and maritam.
While there are 21 types of mangoes, such as cuban, kasturi, cicilitan, kulipisan, rawa-rawa, hampalam, tandui, and other local names. Not to mention various types of kapul and so on.
The durian contest and exotic fruit exhibition presents 10 thousand durian to be eaten for free by thousands of visitors. While the exhibition stands are 113.
