Forestry Ministry states Bromo is a priority to become a world-class tourism area

The government has a target to transform several national parks in Indonesia into world-class areas, with Bromo Tengger Semeru as one of the main priorities. Probolinggo, East Java (ANTARA) - The Director General of Natural Resources and Ecosystem Conservation (KSDAE) of the Ministry of Forestry, Satyawan Pudyatmoko, stated that Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park (TNBTS) is one of the priorities to become a world-class tourism area. “The government has a target to make several national parks in Indonesia world-class areas, and Bromo Tengger Semeru is one of the main priorities,” he said while attending the groundbreaking of the Tengger Caldera Ring Road (JLKT) in the TNBTS area on Monday. According to Satyawan, the arrangement of JLKT is part of a grand strategy for integrated national park management. Currently, there are 57 national parks recorded in Indonesia. “We are targeting some of them to become world-class. Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park is one of those being highlighted,” he added. He explained that the construction of JLKT is not only oriented towards tourism but also encompasses ecological aspects, protection of flora and fauna, water management, and community economic empowerment. “JLKT becomes a strategic instrument to align various interests, from conservation to community economy,” he said. Satyawan also emphasised the importance of preserving local cultural identity as part of national park management because respect for local communities, culture, and local wisdom is the main principle in conservation area management. “I hope the construction of JLKT becomes the initial step in transforming the Bromo tourism area towards sustainable management. If nature is preserved, the community will prosper. Culture remains preserved, and this area can be enjoyed by future generations,” he stated. Through the construction of the Tengger Caldera Ring Road, it is hoped that the Bromo Tengger Semeru area will not only become more organised as a flagship tourism destination but also serve as an example of conservation area management that can balance environmental, cultural, and economic interests sustainably. Meanwhile, the Regent of Probolinggo, Mohammad Haris, stated that the construction of JLKT is an important momentum for the sustainability of the Tengger area in the future, and his side emphasises the importance of maintaining a balance between nature conservation, culture, and tourism development. “We see it as the starting point to preserve Bromo’s existence. The caldera road will later be arranged along 13 kilometres so that it can maintain a balance between the increasing number of tourists and the preservation of nature and culture,” he said. He explained that the Bromo area not only has economic value from the tourism sector but also spiritual and cultural values that must be preserved together, so his side cannot just chase the euphoria of natural beauty without paying attention to environmental sustainability as well as the customs and culture of the Tengger community.