Studying The Closure Of Illegal Climbing Routes, Ministry Of Transportation: If We Close, What Is The Social Solution?

The Ministry of Forestry (Kemenhut) is investigating the possibility of closing illegal hiking trails, including those on Mount Merbabu in Central Java.

"So the climb that was in Merbabu immediately got feedback, OK, now is the time for us to close the climbing of illegal routes in Merbabu," explained Director General of Law Enforcement of the Ministry of Forestry (Gakkum Kemenhut) Dwi Januanto Nugroho at a press conference in Jakarta on Thursday, May 15, which was confiscated by Antara.

He said the existence of this input requires re-examination of the law enforcement process, because it requires a number of considerations including social factors in the surrounding community.

He said law enforcement is one of the components of national park management, so when it is carried out it needs considerations that also think about environmental, social and economic factors.

"If we close it, what kind of solution socially. So we think about it properly," he added.

For this reason, he asked for input from every climber and other stakeholders to ensure safety and comfort when climbing or visiting the national park, as well as the necessary law enforcement measures related to illegal hiking trails.

The Ministry of Transportation itself has special attention to climbing in a number of national parks, including those that climbers like Merbabu are interested in, especially in ensuring the safety of everyone who climbs.

In particular, he referred to an appeal from the Minister of Forestry (Menhut) Raja Juli Antoni regarding the necessary preparations before climbing and using a safe and legal route.

"That's what we emphasize that this side is quite vulnerable if the phenomenon is only to create content without preparation. That's what we emphasize that climbing is not a race or content," said Dwi.