Long Time Not Surveyed, Mount Binaiya Maluku Climbers Asked Not To Cross The Northern Line

Illustration of climbing a mountain. (Unsplash-Greg Rosenke)

MALUKU - Head of the Manusela National Park Office MHD Zaidi, asked climbers of Mount Binaiya not to go north for a while. The northern route of the mountain, which is located in Maluku, has not been surveyed again regarding the feasibility of being crossed by climbers.

"North lanes have never been closed, but we have not recommended climbers to go north because we have not surveyed the conditions since they were reactivated," said Zaidi via WhatsApp message, in Ambon, Maluku, Tuesday, September 27.

According to him, the condition of roads that have been closed by bushes and the insufficient condition of supporting infrastructure will make it difficult for climbers through the northern route of Mount Binaiya.

"Actually, the route is safe to pass, but the condition of the road has been closed by bushes and the condition of inadequate supporting infrastructure, climbers may find it difficult to take this route," he said.

According to Zaidi, Balai TN Manusela does not prohibit climbers from crossing the north route, but in order to anticipate things that are not desirable, it would be better to just pass the south route.

"It doesn't matter if you want to go north. We only recommend climbers not to go north," he said.

The Manusela National Park Office on August 3, 2022, has increased the quota for visits to the Manusela National Park natural attraction from 30 percent to 50 percent.

This is based on the instructions of the Regent of Central Maluku Number 443. 1/02/INS/2022 dated February 21, 2022, regarding the implementation of restrictions on community activities at level 3 and optimizing COVID-19 handling posts at the country and administrative and sub-district levels to control the spread of COVID-19.

The Manusela National Park Office applies strict COVID-19 health protocols to tourists by referring to the prokes issued by the Minister of Health, including keeping tourist sites clean, conducting body temperature checks, requiring visitors to wear masks.

In addition, implementing restrictions on the number of visitors based on the carrying capacity and capacity of the area, implementing social distancing between visitors, and ensuring that there are no crowds to prevent the potential spread of COVID-19.

Data per period of the visit quota is 30 percent from March to July, the number of visitors is 140 people. For the 50 percent visit quota period, August to September, the number of visitors is only 78 people.

"It hasn't increased when viewed from the trend of monthly visitors. Our area is indeed from the beginning that visitors have never achieved their carrying capacity and capacity. In August, due to the moment of Independence Day and the demand for visits has increased and the rules have been met so that there is a policy to increase the visit quota," he said.