Mount Tambora Climbing Closed Due to Increased Forest Fire Risk
Dompu (ANTARA) - Climbing activities on Mount Tambora in the Tambora National Park (TN), West Nusa Tenggara, have been temporarily closed starting this Tuesday due to the increasing risk of forest and land fires (karhutla) during the peak of the dry season.
The Head of the Tambora National Park Office, Abdul Azis Bakray, stated that the closure is a follow-up to the Circular Letter from the Director General of Natural Resources and Ecosystem Conservation (KSDAE) Number SE.4/KSDAE/SKSDAE/KSA.02.02/B/8/2026, dated 31 August 2026, regarding the temporary closure and limited opening of mountain climbing tourism in Nature Reserve Areas (KSA) and Nature Conservation Areas (KPA) to prevent forest fires.
“The temporary closure of climbing activities in Tambora National Park begins on 1 September 2026,” he told ANTARA in Dompu on Tuesday.
He noted that the closure will remain in effect until the area is declared safe from fire threats. This policy has been implemented as a preventative measure, considering that the vulnerability to forest and land fires increases during the dry season.
“These conditions are one of the considerations for implementing the temporary closure of climbing activities,” he said.
According to him, restricting climbing activities is necessary to reduce human presence that could potentially trigger fires, while also making it easier for officers to conduct surveillance and handle any forest fires that may occur within the conservation area.
“Patrols, disaster mitigation, and research activities will continue to be carried out,” he added.
He explained that the closure only applies to climbing activities. Several non-climbing tourist attractions, such as the Oi Marai Waterfall, remain open to the public and tourists, provided that the safety conditions of the area are observed.
The Tambora Jungle Run was held in the Doro Ncanga Resort area across several track categories, including routes that utilised the climbing paths. This event was one of the sports tourism activities held in the Tambora National Park area before the climbing closure took effect.
Abdul Azis mentioned that Tambora National Park has not yet implemented an online climbing ticket booking system; therefore, there is no mechanism for ticket refunds or cancellations due to the closure policy.
Meanwhile, tourism business operators, guides, and porters have been advised to develop non-climbing tourism services while the climbing routes are closed, including directing tourists to the Oi Marai Waterfall.
“This policy is taken as a proactive and measured step to protect the integrity of the ecosystem and ensure the safety of climbers,” he said.
The reopening of climbing activities will take place once the area is declared safe from fire risks, based on evaluations of the area’s condition and the level of forest fire vulnerability.