Regarding Illegal Hiking on Mount Merapi, DPR RI Stresses That Safety Aspects Are Non-Negotiable

Deputy Chairman of the House of Representatives Commission IV, Alex Indra Lukman, has stressed that the safety aspect is the main priority regarding human activity in the disaster-prone area of Mount Merapi. He was responding to the rampant illegal hiking activity on the summit of Mount Merapi. ‘The safety aspect is the main thing that is non-negotiable,’ he asserted during a Specific Working Visit at the Mount Merapi National Park Office on Friday (10/7). He also emphasised that regarding illegal mining activities and other violations, his party is encouraging the Directorate General of Law Enforcement at the Ministry of Forestry to act proactively and cooperate with law enforcement officials. According to him, the central and regional governments must also work together to consider safe alternative livelihood options for local residents, because we cannot impose bans without providing welfare solutions. This means that law enforcement against illegal activities in the Mount Merapi National Park area must go hand in hand with economic solutions for the local community. Meanwhile, the Head of the Mount Merapi National Park Office, Tutut Heri Wibowo, conveyed a number of management problems currently being experienced. There are at least five crucial challenges in managing the conservation area and buffer zones that require intensive cross-sectoral handling. ‘Currently we are facing complex dynamics, ranging from the escalation of human-wildlife conflict, the rampant illegal mining of volcanic material, to the surge in illegal hiking and commercial open trips without permits to the summit of Mount Merapi,’ he explained. He noted that the efficiency of managing natural tourism attractions in the Mount Merapi National Park area is still hampered by budget and human resource limitations. Security for weekend tourist attractions currently still relies on a duty roster system for civil servants assisted by casual daily workers. On the other hand, he highlighted that the potential for environmental utilisation such as bioprospecting has not yet run optimally due to the absence of clear regulations on trade governance, marketing, and product downstreaming. The Geological Agency has set the current activity level of Mount Merapi at Alert (Level III). Based on official recommendations, potential hazards in the form of lava flows and pyroclastic clouds still threaten the south-southwest sector, covering the Boyong River up to a maximum of 5 kilometres, and the Bedog, Krasak, and Bebeng rivers up to a maximum of 7 kilometres. Meanwhile, in the southeast sector, the potential danger covers the Woro River up to a maximum of 3 kilometres and the Gendol River up to a maximum of 7 kilometres. In the event of an explosive eruption, volcanic material could be ejected within a radius of up to 3 kilometres from the summit.