TNGC Temporarily Closes Mount Ciremai Climbing For Ecosystem Recovery

Illustration of a climber while at the top of Mount Ciremai at an altitude of 3,078 meters above sea level after traveling from the Sadarehe route, Majalengka, West Java. (ANTARA/Fathnur Rohmam)

KUNINGAN - Gunung Ciremai National Park Center (TNGC), West Java, temporarily closed climbing activities on the mountain for a month from March 11 to April 11, 2024 for natural maintenance and restoration of the ecosystem. "“Based on the results of discussions and agreements with partners. Meanwhile, we closed climbing activities on Mount Ciremai,” said TNGC Head Maman Surahman when confirmed in Kuningan, West Java, Antara, Sunday, March 10. Maman said this step was taken so that the ecosystem conditions on Mount Ciremai recovered, by allowing all flora and fauna to develop without human activity to climb. He emphasized that this policy is one of the proactive steps to maintain biodiversity, as well as restore natural acidity to the highest mountain in West Java. According to him, the closure was imposed on five official hiking trails on Mount Ciremai located in Kuningan and Majalengka. After that, the route was reopened to climbers on April 12, 2024. "This “ Decision aims to provide space for the restoration of the surrounding natural environment on Mount Ciremai," he said. In addition, he said the closure of this hiking trail was in order to respect religious values among the local community who would soon welcome the holy month of Ramadan 1445 Hijri. Maman asked for cooperation from tourism partners to carry out tourism activities in a more orderly and orderly manner. So as to provide a sense of security and comfort to visitors who are undergoing fasting. He stated that this step was very important in ensuring that tourism activities not only had a positive impact on the environment, but also respected religious values believed by the local community. "The owner of a food and beverage place in tourist destinations in the TNGC area must be orderly in maintaining ethics and respecting the hygiene of the month of Ramadan," he said. He conveyed that even though the hiking trails were closed, online climbing booking services for Mount Ciremai were still available for the date after the closure. The “ Service is open from 08.00 to 15.00 WIB. Further information can be obtained by contacting the admin via contact at 081313504355,” he added. Maman hopes that with cooperation from all parties, Mount Ciremai can continue to be a sustainable and cultured tourist destination and an example of success in efforts to restore the surrounding natural ecosystem.

“ Mount Ciremai has become a popular climbing destination in West Java, but our main concern is to make efforts to restore the ecosystem, ” he said.