TNGR Officers Take Strict Action On 4 Foreigners Who Illegally Climb Mount Rinjani

Foreigners who were secured by TNGR Balai officers, for illegally climbing (ANTARA/HO-Humas Balai TNGR)

MATARAM - Mount Rinjani National Park (NTB) officers took firm action against four foreign nationals (WNA) who were desperate to climb Mount Rinjani through the Sembalun route without permission.

"The four foreigners violated Government Regulation Number 36 of 2024 concerning Management of Conservation Areas," said Head of the Mataram Yarman National Park Center (BTNGR) in a written statement in Mataram, Antara, Friday, November 1.

According to the chronology of the climbing violation, according to guard officers in Sembalun, two foreigners came to the TNGR Balai office on 27 October 2024 and asked about climbing procedures. "However, they refuse to use the tracking organizer (TO) service which is a mandatory requirement for foreign climbers," he said.

After that, on October 28, his party received information that the four foreigners were trying to climb illegally. Based on the report, TNGR officers guarding Post 2 managed to stop the efforts to climb the four foreigners.

Despite the debate, officers still strictly forbade them to continue climbing.

"They had forced their way up, but we didn't allow it. In the end they came back," he said.

However, said Yarman, the snares of these illegal climbers did not stop there, they tried alternative routes to avoid monitoring the officers on guard.

"We received information from the public that they are continuing to climb through other routes," he said.

After pursuing, officers managed to secure the four foreigners and take them to the TNGR Resort Sembalun Office.

"We have taken firm action in accordance with applicable regulations. They are subject to fines and are obliged to pay for entrance tickets," he said.

This event serves as a reminder for climbers, both domestic and foreign, to always comply with applicable regulations in conservation areas.

"The illegal climb is not only detrimental to the state, but can also endanger yourself and the environment," he said.

Mount Rinjani climb must be done responsibly, so that the intention to enjoy natural beauty does lead to a violation of the law.

"We will continue to increase supervision to prevent similar incidents from happening again," he said.

In this action operation, TNGR officers also involved the surrounding community as partners. "We are grateful for the community's cooperation that has helped provide information to us," he said.

Meanwhile, Head of Public Relations of the East Lombok Police, Iptu Nikolas Oesman, emphasized that his party supports this firm action for the safety and sustainability of nature in the Mount Rinjani area.

"All climbers, both local, domestic and foreign tourists must comply with existing rules," he said.

With this action, TNGR affirms its commitment to preserve conservation areas and ensures that all climbers follow the applicable rules.

And this event provides an important moral message, namely the importance of preserving nature and complying with applicable rules.

"Every individual has a responsibility to protect the environment so that future generations can enjoy it," he said.