Ascent of Mount Halau-Halau, the Roof of South Kalimantan, Permanently Closed

Posts regarding the closure of the ascent to the Mount Halau-Halau tourist site in Hulu Sungai Tengah Regency (HST) are widely discussed on social media. A post including a flyer states that the permanent closure of the Mount Halau-Halau ascent is based on the results of deliberations by the villages of Juhu and Hinas Kiri, Batang Alai Timur Subdistrict. It is noted that the decision takes effect from 1 May 2026, following deliberations held at the Hinas Kiri Village Office. This has elicited various responses from social media users on platforms such as Facebook and Instagram, primarily questioning the permanent closure, its reasons, and the veracity of the information. Regarding the circulating information, the Head of Juhu Village, Abdul Dunduk, confirmed to Banjarmasinpost.co.id that it is accurate. He explained that the meeting agreeing on the closure of the Mount Besar Halau-Halau tourist site was attended by community leaders and residents from the two villages, Juhu and Hinas Kiri. “In this matter, the Village Government only facilitated the meeting,” he said, as quoted from Banjarmasinpost. On the reasons for the closure, the Head of Juhu Village generally stated that Mount Halau-Halau, standing at 1,901 metres above sea level, is a sacred mountain believed to be so since ancestral times. “We believe that mountain is sacred from our ancestors until now and forever,” he revealed. Meanwhile, Rama, an environmental activist who has climbed Mount Halau-Halau, described the large mountain as one of HST and South Kalimantan’s premier tourist attractions, sought by climbers for nature ascents. “To date, Halau-Halau (the large mountain) remains the highest peak in South Kalimantan, so this will have a significant impact on climbers. Nevertheless, climbers should also maintain the natural environment and avoid littering the mountain,” he explained. Personally, Rama hopes for other ways to preserve the natural environment through rules or regulations on climbing procedures that could be implemented without closing the trail entirely.