Not Only Footprints, Climbers Also Leave More Than 1 Ton Of Plastic Waste On The Mount Gede Pangrango Hiking Trail

JAKARTA - Volunteers carry more than one ton of garbage during two days of cleaning activities on two climbing routes of Mount Gede Pangrango, namely the Cianjur Regency, West Java Province.

Public Relations of the Gunung Gede National Park Pangrango Poppy Oktadiyani when contacted by telephone explained that 142 volunteers were deployed. They collected 828 kilograms of garbage on the Ciputri hiking trail and 295.5 kilograms of garbage on the Cibodas hiking trail.

"The most plastic waste, such as used mineral water bottles, instant noodle wrappers, and cans. The trash was left by climbers. Even though before climbing it was mandatory for climbers to bring back the garbage they brought," said Poppy when contacted, Antara, Sunday, June 13.

Volunteer Association of Indonesian Mountain Guides (APGI) Niko Rastagil said guides and national park officials have always reminded climbers not to leave trash in the national park area.

"We always remind climbers not to leave the slightest trash, especially plastic waste," he said.

He said mountain climbers and nature lovers should care about cleanliness and environmental sustainability.

"Don't let them claim to be nature lovers but leave trash behind," said Niko.

The Gunung Gede Pangrango National Park Center will intensify a clean culture campaign to climbers so that they no longer leave trash when climbing.

"We urge climbers to bring back their trash when descending so that the sustainability and cleanliness of the hiking trails is maintained," said Poppy.