By Cintin Sakina for The Indonesian Nature Conservation newsLetter
"I am Garuda, Vishnu's bird, spreading my wings high above your islands", is a verse works of Raden Mas Noto liederen Soeroto in Puppet-read by the President when asked to give names to Indonesian airlines. Garuda Indonesia has an important meaning and value, Garuda became a symbol that is so revered by the nation of Indonesia, known as the official symbol of the State of Indonesia. In fact, the presidential decree No. 4 of 1993, Java Eagle established as a national symbol because of its resemblance to animals Garuda, a symbol of the State of Indonesia. Zaini Rakhman, trying to give an idea and inspiration about the existence of these birds of prey in a book "All About Garuda". He wants knowledge of the Eagles not only owned by animal lovers or research only. In the book "All About Garuda" is also telling about Javanese Eagle's threat from the determination of their status,
how the Javanese eagle get an immediate threat to poaching for illegal trade by the reduction in habitat area on the island of Java.
Even though the Javanese Eagles have the status as the National Bird, but the reality this bird had the dilemma, how the forest on the island of Java as the main habitat area decreases, whereas the endemic birds are heavily reliant existence of a natural forest. Habitat destruction, including deforestation, forest degradation and fragmentation becomes a major problem where Javanese Eagle. And also, the more desirable Javanese Eagle in the chain of illegal wildlife trade both at their home land and abroad. This trade not only in the bird markets but also sold on a certain internet sites. It is not comparable to the rate of proliferation of Javanese Eagle, where he only spawn an egg within a year even two years. This 101 page book also discusses the Javanese eagle rescue effort, such as the release back into their natural habitat and the story of efforts to stop the transfer function of the area in Subang, West Java.
Zaini Rakhman trying to recall all of us that Garuda is used as the symbol of the State not only existed in myth and imagination, but the fact that Garuda was real as real birds in Indonesia. So it becomes important to preserve the value keberadannya in Java, Java Eagle should land on which to live and multiply.
More information "All About Garuda", please contact : Zaini Rakhman zaini@raptorindonesia.org