The whole island including the national park is part of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves.

[1] The notable aspects of the park are its endemic fauna, flora, and indigenous inhabitants, the Mentawai, who still live according to hunter-gather traditions.

The Mentawai Islands are thought to have been isolated from mainland of Sumatra for over 500,000 years, thereby producing unique ecosystems.

[3] Protection of the island's environment started in 1976 with the creation of the 6,500 ha Teitei Batti Wildlife Refuge.

[4] Logging concessions threaten 70% of the forests outside the national park, and thus endanger the entire ecosystem of the island.