Mount Rinjani hiking trails to be closed following Lombok earthquake
The Jakarta Post
Awarded national geopark status in 2013, Mount Rinjani has attracted many tourists since the 1990s thanks to its breathtaking view of its caldera, a crater lake shaped like a crescent moon, known as Segara Anak. (Shutterstock/-)
Severe earthquakes that affected Lombok in West Nusa Tenggara have led to a time-consuming recovery effort. The effects of the quake include landslides and fissures in Mount Rinjani National Park.
Head of Rinjani National Park, Sudiyono, told KompasTravel that the earthquake affected the park and its hiking trails.
“The steep hiking trails have cracked and there have been landslides, so it is not safe for visitors,” Sudiyono told KompasTravel on Wednesday.
He estimated that Mt Rinjani’s hiking trails would be closed for a year. Meanwhile, landscape and ecosystem recovery will take place during that time.
“Hiking trails will be closed, presumably for a year to give time for the soil to stabilize,” he said.
Previously, during the commemoration of National Nature Conservation Day on Thursday in Bitung, North Sulawesi, Sudiyono pointed to damage in Mt Rinjani National Park. But he could not predict how long recovery would take.
Read also: Quake survivors use salvaged materials to build better shelters, rebuild lives
The national park management is still monitoring and anticipating issues that may develop around the quake-affected area.
“We are planning things like earthquake-resistant wooden houses and protection of trees in the national park area from theft,” Sudiyono was quoted as saying.
He and his team will also initiate discussions with residents of the affected area, looking for alternative tourist attractions to support the livelihood of people around the national park. (mut)
