Kakaban Lake

Kakaban Lake is located on Kakaban Island, which is part of the Derawan Islands, Berau Regency, East Kalimantan. In Indonesian, Derawan Island means “hugging”, which reflects the beauty and uniqueness of the island that seems to “hug” its natural wealth. Tomascik and Mah conducted scientific research in 1994 on the unique characteristics of Kakaban. Kakaban Lake has an area of about 400 hectares and has the highest length of 3.85 kilometers and the highest depth of about 14 meters. The lake was formed thousands of years ago as a result of natural geological processes. At that time, due to changes in landforms and land rise, seawater was trapped in the center of the island. Eventually, this trapped seawater mixed with rainwater and groundwater, creating a unique brackish water ecosystem.

One of the uniqueness of Kakaban Lake is the presence of four species of jellyfish, namely inverted jellyfish (Cassiopea cf. ornata), moon jellyfish (Aurelia sp), box jellyfish (Tripedalia cystophora), spotted/gold jellyfish (Mastigias cf. papua). These animals have evolved to lose the ability to sting. This phenomenon occurs due to natural isolation for millions of years, forcing the species to adapt to a new environment.  In addition to jellyfish, the lake is also home to a variety of microorganisms, algae and fish species that have adapted to the brackish water environment as well as various other endemic biota such as starfish (Aquilonastra sp), julung-julung (Zenarchopterus dispar), flatworms, endemic anemones (Entacmea sp) and also endemic sea cucumbers (Synaptula spinifera).

Among the jellyfish species that inhabit Kakaban Lake, Mastigias cf papua (spotted/golden jellyfish) is the most common. This species is characterized by a transparent body with white spots decorating its surface and is one of the subspecies present in Kakaban. In contrast, the Tripedalia cystophora (box jellyfish) species is the least abundant. The box jellyfish has a more unique body shape than other species, with a more rigid and square structure. Apart from water, there are also terrestrial ecosystems such as coastal forests and mangroves.

Around December 2023, Lake Kakaban experienced a mass loss of jellyfish. This phenomenon is quite alarming considering that Lake Kakaban is a unique habitat for various jellyfish species that have evolved over millions of years. However, after almost a year passed, in October 2024, the lake began to show signs of recovery. Various types of jellyfish species have been rediscovered in the lake, although in visual numbers they are still much less than the previously abundant population. Most likely, the main cause of this mass jellyfish disappearance is the surge in the number of tourists coming to Kakaban Lake. Increased human activity around the lake is strongly suspected of triggering environmental changes that make jellyfish migrate or experience population decline. Other environmental factors, such as changes in water temperature and ecosystem quality, may also have contributed to this event.

This recovery condition is an important concern for the conservation of the Kakaban Lake ecosystem. More sustainable tourism management measures need to be implemented to ensure that the jellyfish population in this lake is maintained and does not experience repeated ecosystem disturbances in the future. As a conservation and ecosystem recovery measure, the management has taken a policy to close tourist activities every month for 7 days. This policy certainly aims to provide time for the lake ecosystem to recover naturally, allowing jellyfish and other biodiversity to breed without interference. In addition, this rest period is also expected to maintain the balance of the ecosystem so that it does not experience ecological pressure due to excessive tourist activities.

One of the highlights of Kakaban Lake is snorkeling. The various species of stingless jellyfish that live in this lake make it attractive to tourists who want to swim in waters that are different from the open sea. The clear water allows visitors to enjoy incredible underwater scenery, where they can see free-swimming jellyfish and other marine life. However, there are some strict rules that every traveler must follow to preserve the highly sensitive ecosystem of Kakaban Lake, which is that it is strictly forbidden to use sunscreen or sunblock before entering the lake. The chemicals in sunscreen products can pollute the water and harm the ecosystem that has evolved over millions of years in a very stable and unaffected environment from outside. Travelers are prohibited from jumping into the lake as the violent pounding generated from jumping can disturb the balance of the waters and stress jellyfish and other aquatic creatures, prohibited from using swimming aids such as frog legs. The use of frog legs can cause strong currents that disturb jellyfish and may even injure them. Stronger water movements can also stir up sediments at the bottom of the lake, disrupting the balance of the ecosystem and lowering water clarity. Therefore, tourists who want to snorkel at Kakaban Lake are advised to swim calmly using natural movements without using swimming aids that can be dangerous.

Travelers should follow important procedures before entering the lake and follow the rules while in it. It is crucial for every traveler to rinse their body with fresh water first, especially for those who have played or swam in seawater before. This is done to prevent contamination of Kakaban Lake’s ecosystem by foreign particles or microorganisms that cannot be seen by humans. Seawater contains many different types of microorganisms and biological elements than the brackish water ecosystem of Kakaban Lake, and the introduction of these foreign elements can lead to disruption of the ecosystem balance and the possible emergence of invasive species that threaten life in brackish water.

These regulations aim to preserve the ecosystem of Kakaban Lake, which has evolved in different environments and can change rapidly. Tourists are expected to comply with all the regulations made to keep this lake pristine and can be enjoyed by future generations without damaging its flora and fauna. If people know and abide by these regulations, Kakaban Lake can remain a beautiful and sustainable tourist spot.

Status of Conservation Area in Kakaban Lake

Kakaban Lake, located on Kakaban Island, is part of the Derawan Islands Coastal and Small Islands Conservation Area and Surrounding Waters (KKP3K KDPS) in Berau Regency, East Kalimantan Province. The status of this conservation area was established through the Decree of the Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries of the Republic of Indonesia Number 87/Kepmen-KP/2016, which regulates the protection and management of unique ecosystems in the area.

The management of this area refers to the Regulation of the Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries of the Republic of Indonesia No. 47/Permen-KP/2016 on the utilization of marine protected areas, as well as 31/Permen-KP/2020 which emphasizes conservation principles in the management of aquatic natural resources. In addition, as part of a more detailed management plan, the East Kalimantan Provincial Government issued Governor Regulation No. 60 of 2019 which regulates the management plan and zoning of the KDPS KKP3K in this region.

With these regulations, the Kakaban Lake area is not only protected as an important ecosystem rich in biodiversity, but also managed sustainably to maintain ecological balance and support the responsible use of natural resources.

Reference:

5 Interesting Facts about Diving in Lake Kakaban – East Kalimantan, One of the Biological Paradise in the World! (2019). Superlive.Id. https://superlive.id/superadventure/artikel/wilderness/5-fakta-menarik-diving-di-danau-kakaban-kalimantan-timur-salah-satu-surga-biologis-di-dunia

Badrudin, I. (2024). Exploring the Enchantment of Kakaban Island Jellyfish Lake in East Kalimantan. Explore Seribu Pulay. https://www.exploreseribu.com/2024/11/danau-ubur-ubur-pulau-kakaban.html

Kakaban Island (Jellyfish Lake). (2024). MINISTRY OF TOURISM AND CREATIVE ECONOMY / TOURISM AND CREATIVE ECONOMY AGENCY. https://jadesta.kemenparekraf.go.id/atraksi/pulau_kakaban_danau_uburubur

Romadhani, T. (2024). Algae Population Explosion in Kakaban Lake. Number One East Kalimantan. https://nomorsatukaltim.disway.id/read/40090/terjadi-ledakan-populasi-alga-di-danau-kakaban