Manado Tua Mountain Climbing Temporarily Closed to Prevent Forest Fires

The Bunaken National Park Office (BTN Bunaken) will temporarily close the climbing route to the peak of Manado Tua Mountain in North Sulawesi. This measure is being taken as a precaution to prevent forest and land fires during the ongoing dry season.

Head of the Bunaken National Park Office, I Ketut Catur Marbawa, explained that the policy was influenced by a recent fire incident in the Gunung Gede Pangrango National Park area in West Java. The office is currently finalising the official closure letter. “This is a precautionary measure to prevent forest and land fires. I will check shortly whether the closure letter has been completed,” Catur stated on Thursday.

The decision was based on direct observations by the BTN Bunaken team over the past few days. The assessment found that the vegetation on Manado Tua Mountain is currently very dry due to the drought, making it highly susceptible to ignition.

In addition to closing the climbing route, BTN Bunaken has issued a strict appeal to the public, especially those living within the national park area, not to clear land by burning. The practice of burning agricultural land adjacent to forests is considered highly risky and could trigger large-scale fires.

To enforce the closure, BTN Bunaken will collaborate with local tour guides. They will be tasked with ensuring that no hikers or residents attempt to ascend to the peak of Manado Tua Mountain during the closure period.

The closure is temporary and will be re-evaluated once the rainy season begins. The current drought in North Sulawesi is a serious concern, with reports indicating that approximately one thousand hectares of protected forest on Mount Soputan in Southeast Minahasa Regency have already been scorched.