Mount Tambora Climbing Routes Temporarily Closed to Prevent Forest Fires

Climbing activities on Mount Tambora, Dompu, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), have been temporarily suspended since 1 September 2026. The closure was implemented by the Tambora National Park Authority (BTN) to prevent forest and land fires (karhutla), which have recently occurred frequently in several areas.

“The temporary closure is carried out as a mitigation step to prevent the increasing risk of forest fires during the dry season, while simultaneously ensuring the safety of visitors and the protection of the Tambora National Park ecosystem,” stated the Head of the Tambora National Park Authority, Abdul Aziz Bakry, on Wednesday (2/8/2026).

The closure of Mount Tambora climbing routes is based on the Circular Letter (SE) of the Director General of Natural Resources and Ecosystem Conservation (KSDAE) Number SE.4/KSDAE/SKSDAE/KSA.02.02/B/08/2026 regarding the Temporary Closure and Limited Opening of Mountain Climbing Tourism in Nature Reserve Areas (KSA) and Nature Conservation Areas (KPA).

Abdul emphasised that all climbing routes within the Mount Tambora area are closed, including the Pancasila climbing route, the Doro Canga off-road route, the To’i kawidna route, and the Piong off-road route.

“During the closure period, all climbing activities through these four routes are prohibited. Officers will increase security, area surveillance, forest fire prevention patrols, and access control at all climbing entry points,” explained Abdul.

Abdul requested that the public, prospective climbers, tour operators, guides, porters, and all tourism service providers around Tambora National Park comply with the temporary closure policy and support efforts to prevent forest and land fires.

“The reopening of the climbing routes will be determined based on the evaluation of forest fire risk levels, the development of dry season conditions, field conditions, and further directives from the Directorate General of KSDAE,” said Abdul.

For information, Tambora National Park is a nature conservation area covering 71,645.64 hectares (Ha) which has been designated by UNESCO as a World Biosphere Reserve. This area serves as a habitat for various wildlife, such as the yellow-crested cockatoo, red-headed parrot, Australian kookaburra, and Timor deer.