Where do you find a rugged mountain of 3,726 meters, with a crater at 2,000 meters, and growing a young volcano within? The flora and fauna on the slopes are fed by many natural springs.,
Moreover, the volcano is considered sacred and serves as a pilgrimage destination. That is probably why New Zealand supported the development of the Rinjani trekking project. | Sat, 09/27/2008 10:24 AM
Everything seems to be handled amateurishly. For example, the official guides do not seem to have any formal training. Remember, this is a difficult trek -- climbers can fall, first-timers can get heart attacks.
The temperature can drop dramatically to near zero degrees centigrade. There is no way trekking groups can communicate with the base station. The trek leaders do not even carry basic security equipment such as flashlights.
A wind storm kicked up during a recent trek, blowing away one tent. We had to reposition others in high winds. Trekkers could have lost their lives.
Furthermore, weather conditions up the mountain should be tacked at the trek center to know when to discourage summit ascent. People pay for a four-day package but then on the first day up, they find they have to turn back.
And all we get is a laconic answer from trek management: "It's the force of nature". No compensation, no refund, nothing.
Actually the best part of the trekking development project is the four-page Rinjani Trek brochure. Here, scenic beauty, the people, flora and fauna and environmental preservation are clearly described. Little of this can be seen in practice.
A remedy must be put in place.
First, surely there are Indonesian mountain lovers and associations who take pride in their incomparable national jewel.
Second, the project suggests the potential for tourism income for the Lombok region, but it has to be upgraded. Imagine the continuing benefit from visitors from abroad experiencing an ecologically well-managed national heritage site.
Corrections can be made. Train the rangers in waste control. Set up communication systems for safety. Put the rangers in charge of passing their training to the individual guides. These simple fixes could begin right away. And set up a better organized trek package.
I am sure the Rinjani Trek Committee knows they are underperforming and improvements have to made soon. It is too serious a situation to put at risk trekker safety and Indonesian national pride to let this undertaking continue so haphazardly.
HTUN AUNG
Jakarta/Vienna
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