A gem loses its luster

A gem loses its luster

Its famed beauty has long drawn tourists to Lake Toba and Samosir
island, which is situated right in the center of the lake in
North Sumatra.

But in the last several years, the number of visiting tourists
to the country's biggest lake in the town of Parapat, Simalungun
regency, has dropped.

It cannot be excused away due to the fall in tourists to the
country during the crisis and widespread unrest. Poor land
accessiblity to the lake as well as mounting environmental
pollution are also to blame.

As one of the most visited tourist destinations in the
country, the lake awaits helping hands, like a gem, once
beautiful but now tarnished by time, desperately in need of a new
polish.

-- JP/Arief Suhardiman