Youth, boyscouts to clean up Mt. Rinjani hiking tracks

Panca Nugraha, The Jakarta Post, Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara | Archipelago | Fri, October 19 2012, 6:29 PM

The North Lombok administration will involve at least 500 local youngsters and boyscouts to clean up Mount Rinjani’s hiking tracks from Oct. 26-28, ahead of Youth Pledge Day on Oct. 28.

North Lombok regent, Djohan Sjamsu, said that the administration had deliberately involved the local youth to improve their awareness about the preservation of Mount Rinjani, an icon of Lombok.

“During the event, we will also plant trees along the hiking tracks,” Djohan told The Jakarta Post in Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara on Friday.

The participants will start the cleanup at Senaru, Bayan district, one of the mountain’s three hiking tracks, collecting trash as they ascend the mountain.

The event will end with a ceremony near Segara Anak Lake on Oct. 28.

“We also invite tourists and members of outdoor adventure clubs to participate in the event,” Djohan added.

Mount Rinjani volcano, which is 3,627 meters above sea level, has become one of the most popular natural sites in West Nusa Tenggara and attracts thousands of visitors every year.

Mount Rinjani Natural Park head Agus Budiono said that the volcano saw 8,500 visitors in the first three quarters of this year, up from 8,000 visitors in 2011.

“I am sure the number will continue to increase until December,” Agus said.

The volcano has three hiking tracks: Senaru and Torean in North Lombok and Sembalun in East Lombok - all are open to the public between April and December. The tracks are closed from January to March due to bad weather. (swd)