Whispers of the Wild: Listening to Life in the Meratus Mountains

TheIndonesia.co - There is a humble practice in our relationship with the Earth that often goes unnoticed: listening.

Every beat of life in the natural world generates sound. Birdsongs, the trickle of streams, the rustling of leaves in the wind, even the hum of insects—they all form an intricate soundscape, a living acoustic landscape that mirrors the health of the ecosystem.

Unlike the spoken word, nature’s voice is honest and unfiltered. Through these sounds, nature whispers truths to us: whether it thrives or aches, whether we are welcome, or whether we have overstayed.

This philosophy of deep listening finds new meaning in a place where silence is not emptiness but song—the lush, layered wilderness of the Meratus Mountains in South Kalimantan, Indonesia. Now recognized as a UNESCO Global Geopark (UGGp), Meratus is not just a geographical wonder. It is a living symphony of geology, biodiversity, and culture, waiting patiently to be heard.

Listening to Meratus: Where Nature Sings

According Antara News Agency, The Meratus Mountain Range spans over 3,600 square kilometers, threading through six regencies in South Kalimantan. Here, rolling forested ridges, limestone outcrops, rivers, and caves come together in a living geological museum shaped over millions of years.

But Meratus is more than rocks and trees. It is a sanctuary for endangered species like the sun bear, hornbills, gibbons, and clouded leopards. It’s also the sacred home of the Dayak Meratus people, one of the most distinct Indigenous communities in Borneo.

In this space, sound becomes a guide. Healthy forests hum with life: birdcalls, monkey chatter, and the rhythmic hush of the wind. Disturbed ecosystems, on the other hand, fall quiet. This phenomenon, known as silent forest syndrome, is a warning we should not ignore.

Sound ecology—or acoustic ecology—offers a new way of understanding the environment: not through observation alone, but through attentive listening. In Meratus, this practice isn’t abstract; it is a pathway to ecological conservation, cultural preservation, and transformative travel.

Welcome to the Listening Trail

What if you visited a forest and were asked not to take pictures, but to simply… listen?

In places like Kahung Rainforest—a biodiverse gem in Banjar Regency—Meratus whispers through rustling canopies and secretive wildlife. As part of a “listening trail,” visitors are invited to practice silent tourism: turning off phones, stowing cameras, and immersing themselves in the layered soundscape of the forest.

You might hear the soft chatter of long-tailed macaques, the low drumming of distant thunder, or the echo of cicadas under thick leaves. These sounds, often overlooked, awaken a sense of presence and emotional connection that photography cannot replicate.

The success of such trails hinges on the creation of quiet zones, limiting the number of visitors and avoiding artificial noise. By experiencing the forest with humility and respect, we learn that nature does not need to perform for us—it performs for itself. We are merely the audience.

Visiting Loksado and Meeting the Dayak Meratus

A journey to Meratus is incomplete without a visit to Loksado, a highland village nestled at the foothills of the range. Located about 4–5 hours from Banjarmasin (the provincial capital), Loksado offers the easiest access point into the Meratus Geopark and a chance to experience the living culture of the Dayak Meratus tribe.

Here, the Amandit River weaves through bamboo groves and wooden homes on stilts. Traditional balai (communal longhouses) serve as the heart of the village, where rituals, music, and storytelling continue to thrive.

The Dayak Meratus have lived in harmony with the forest for centuries, practicing shifting cultivation, herbal medicine, and intricate rituals led by spiritual elders called balian. Their traditions are deeply oral—and aural. They sing, chant, and speak to nature in a language woven with reverence and rhythm.

Visitors can participate in cultural workshops, watch ritual dances, or simply walk with a local guide, learning about plants, animals, and myths passed down through generations. It is an intimate experience, not staged for mass tourism, but offered from the heart.

The Music of Meratus: Culture You Can Hear

The acoustic identity of Meratus extends beyond the forest.

In villages across the region, you may hear the soft plucking of the sape—a traditional lute with melancholic, drifting tones. During harvest festivals, drums and gongs accompany dancers in celebration of life’s cycles. Elders chant ancient mantras for protection, health, and gratitude.

In Tapin Regency, you might encounter the surreal sound of layang-layang Dandang—large rectangular kites fitted with bamboo tubes that hum in the wind. This "buzzing kite" is more than a child’s toy; it's a Banjar cultural heritage and a key sound symbol of the region.

These soundscapes could soon be recorded and archived as part of participatory acoustic mapping, involving local communities in capturing and preserving the voices of their landscape—both natural and cultural.

Getting There and Side Trips

How to Reach Meratus and Loksado:

• Fly to Banjarmasin: The nearest major airport is Syamsudin Noor International Airport (BDJ) in Banjarmasin.
• Drive to Loksado: From Banjarmasin, it’s about a 4.5-hour drive to Loksado. Private car rentals and local drivers are available.
• Where to Stay: Loksado offers homestays and eco-lodges, often run by local families. Staying here supports the community directly.

Side Trips:

• Bamboo Rafting on Amandit River: A serene, scenic float through forested riversides. Eco-friendly and led by locals.
• Mount Halau-Halau Trek: The highest peak in South Kalimantan, ideal for adventurous trekkers. Expect panoramic views and deep forest immersion.
• Kahung Valley: A perfect destination for wildlife watching and silent trails.
• Floating Market at Lok Baintan: On your way back to Banjarmasin, don’t miss the early-morning floating market, rich in colors, voices, and scents.

A Geopark That Speaks to the Soul

To protect a place, we must first love it. And to love it, we must first hear it.

The Meratus Mountains do not compete with grand temples or luxury resorts. Instead, they offer something subtler, deeper—a reconnection with Earth’s heartbeat. In a time when noise fills our daily lives, Meratus invites you to pause, breathe, and listen.

By embracing acoustic ecology and honoring the voices of the forest and its people, Geopark Meratus is pioneering a model of tourism that is sustainable, soulful, and sensory.

So, if you are yearning for a journey not just of sights, but of sound, silence, and spirit, pack your bag lightly and your heart openly.

Because in Meratus, even the wind has a story to tell.