Gandang Dewata National Park (Taman Nasional Gandang Dewata in Indonesian) is located in Mamasa Regency, West Sulawesi province, Indonesia. The park’s center includes Tanete Gandangdewata, a mountain that rises to 3,074 meters, and its surrounding mountain range. This mountain range is considered sacred by the local people and covers an area of 214,201 hectares.

A 2013 study by the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) found that Gandang Dewata is home to several bird species that are found only in this region. The study also discovered several new bird species that require protection.

Etymology

Gandang Dewata, which means "the drum of God," is made up of two words. "Gandang" comes from the Mamasa language, which is spoken by people in that area, and it means "drum." "Dewata" comes from Sanskrit, an ancient language, and it means "God." The top of Gandang Dewata, called Tanete, appears to look like a large round stone. From a distance, it seems to resemble a giant drum.

History

In 2016, the Indonesian Ministry of Environment and Forestry designated 189,208.17 hectares of the mountain as Indonesia's 53rd national park. This action was taken to help protect the area's rich biodiversity.

Flora and fauna

Tanete Gendangdewata mountain has many different types of plants and animals, including the common sugar glider, a small animal that glides at night, and the rare Sulawesi anoa, a type of small buffalo.

Although some bird species in Sulawesi are also found on nearby islands like Borneo, 31% of the birds there are unique to the region. Sulawesi has eight national parks that protect different types of environments. Four of these parks are mainly marine areas: Bunaken National Park, known for its coral reefs and many types of sea life; Taka Bone Rate National Park, the largest coral atoll in Southeast Asia; Kepulauan Togean National Park, with untouched coral reefs and special marine ecosystems; and Moyo Satonda National Park, noted for its coral reefs and volcanic lakes. The other parks focus on land-based ecosystems: Bogani Nani Wartabone National Park, an important place for protecting Sulawesi’s wildlife, including the endangered anoa and cinnabar hawk owl; Lore Lindu National Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, home to many species found only in Sulawesi, such as the Tonkean macaque, maleo, and several types of tarsiers; Rawa Aopa Watumohai National Park, which includes wetlands and important habitats; and Gandang Dewata National Park, which preserves untouched forests. These parks help protect many species found only in Sulawesi, including the maleo bird, anoa, babirusa, various tarsier species, and plants and animals adapted to the island’s different environments.

Tourism

The province has not very developed infrastructure, but it has a lot of potential for tourism. This is because Gandang Dewata National Park was recently created. The park protects special species found only in Wallacea and helps preserve the last untouched forests in Sulawesi. Attractions near the park include:

• Bata Waterfall
• Buttuada Waterfall
• Hernon Hill
• Mambuliling Peak
• Samababo Waterfall
• Talepom Bulam Peak

Mountain climbing

Tanete Gandangdewata peak is the highest point in the Quarles Range and a remote mountain top marked by a special pole used for measuring distances. The northern side of Tanete Gandangdewata peak reaches an elevation of 3,037 meters, while the southern side is 2,966 meters high. Puncak Mistis peak, which is also 3,037 meters tall, is located to the northeast of Tanete Gandangdewata peak. There are two routes that take several days to reach the summit of Tanete Gandangdewata.

Economy

The region's economy depends on agriculture, such as growing cocoa and palm oil, as well as mining for minerals like nickel, thorium, and uranium. Radiation levels found in the area have led to calls for more studies. Although the province is growing faster than average, many people still practice subsistence farming, and many villages do not have access to electricity.