Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra

Sumatra (3 National Parks), Indonesia

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The Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra is a vast and biologically rich natural site that spans three national parks—Gunung Leuser, Kerinci Seblat, and Bukit Barisan Selatan—stretching along the Bukit Barisan mountain range on the Indonesian island of Sumatra. Covering over 2.5 million hectares, this UNESCO World Heritage Site represents one of the largest and most important conservation areas in Southeast Asia.

It is home to an extraordinary diversity of flora and fauna, including approximately 10,000 plant species, 201 mammal species, and 580 bird species. Among its most iconic inhabitants are the critically endangered Sumatran orangutan, tiger, rhinoceros, and elephant, all of which rely on these forests for survival. The landscape is as dramatic as it is ecologically vital.

Towering volcanoes like Mount Kerinci—the highest in Indonesia—loom over dense rainforests, while glacial lakes, waterfalls, fumaroles, and cave systems add to the region’s natural splendor. The altitudinal range from sea level to alpine heights creates a mosaic of ecosystems, from lowland tropical rainforest to montane and sub-alpine forests, each harboring unique species and ecological processes. The site also includes Lake Gunung Tujuh, the highest lake in Southeast Asia, nestled in a volcanic caldera.

Beyond its ecological significance, the Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra serves as a living laboratory for evolutionary biology and conservation science. It offers critical refuge for species that have been pushed to the brink by habitat loss elsewhere on the island. However, the site faces ongoing threats from illegal logging, poaching, agricultural encroachment, and infrastructure development.

These pressures led to its inclusion on the List of World Heritage in Danger in 2011, underscoring the urgent need for stronger protection and sustainable management.