Lake Sano Nggoang is famous as the largest volcanic lake in eastern Indonesia and one of the centers of biodiversity on the island of Flores. But there’s more to it. The lake stores geothermal which can potentially be a source of electricity.
Considering the prospect, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance entrusted PT Sarana Multi Infrastruktur (SMI) to lead the geothermal exploration project around the lake area.
In compiling the environmental and social impact study, SMI appointed PT Aecom Indonesia as its consultant, who then carried out an inventory of bird diversity together with Burung Indonesia. The inventory took place on a number of spots that became the target of well pad drilling in Wae Sano Village, namely Nunang, Lempe, Ta’al, Golo Lampung.
The survey took place on 26-27 November, and 1 December. Samuel Rabenak, the Bird Guide Officer of Burung Indonesia, informed that the first well pad is Nunang, where locals perform customary rituals using rectangle stones in that area.
Based on bird diversity, the area is an important area for birds with limited distribution and endemic to Flores, namely Flores Crow, Flores Scops-owl, Flores Green-pigeon, Wallace’s Scops-owl and Small Minivet.
Two kilometers from Wae Sano is the Lempe Hamlet, where the survey team headed to. The drilling spot was one kilometer away from candlenut gardens owned by the hamlet’s communities. Two endemic bird species are found in this area, namely the Flores Owl and the Flores Crow, as well as several species whose distribution is limited and endemic to Nusa Tenggara.
“Tree density in this area is excellent, and the river is a good spot for scops-owls to hunt frogs and rats. You can also find parrots here. The springs are already being used by people in the village,” said Samuel.
The Lempe well pad was situated near the tracking route to the peak of Golo Dewa savanna, which is commonly traversed by tourists and bird watchers. From Lempe, the team moved to Ta'al Hamlet—about three kilometers from Wae Sano Village. The well pad at Ta'al is 300 meters from the lake, and the bird diversity was similar to Lempe.
The only survey area with protected forest status was the Golo Lampang, which was managed by the Forestry Service of West Manggarai Regency. Well pad Golo Lampang is about two kilometers from Dasak Hamlet. Golo Lampang itself is a water catchment area, where people use the springs there for household needs.
The types of birds observed at this location are similar to Ta'al, namely the Russet-capped Tesia, White-rumped Kingfisher, Cream-browed White-eye, Common Hill Myna and Flores Crow. Most of the birds found in Golo Lampang were birds with limited distribution.