TNBTS Apprehends 13 Suspected Illegal Hikers on Mount Semeru

Malang, East Java (ANTARA) - The Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park (TNBTS) Grand Office has announced that 13 individuals suspected of illegal climbing on Mount Semeru were apprehended by officers during a Monitoring Operation conducted at the Ranupani and Taman Satriyan National Park Management Resorts (RPTN).

“The TNBTS Grand Office has secured 13 people suspected of undertaking illegal climbs to Mount Semeru. The enforcement process was carried out through a Monitoring Operation at RPTN Ranupani, Lumajang Regency, and RPTN Taman Satriyan, Malang Regency,” stated the Head of TNBTS Grand Office, Rudijanta Tjahja Nugraha, in Malang, East Java, on Tuesday.

He noted that the number of suspected illegal climbers apprehended at Ranupani totalled two individuals, while 11 people were detained at Taman Satriyan, specifically in the Purbakala area, Mulyoasri Village, Ampelgading District.

He added that the Forestry Law Enforcement Office for Java, Bali, and Nusa Tenggara, under the Ministry of Forestry, will conduct examinations and formal interrogation reports (BAP) for the 13 suspected illegal climbers.

Based on the findings from the TNBTS Grand Office examinations, the two suspected illegal climbers at RPTN Ranupani were found to have climbed Mount Semeru via unofficial routes, known locally as “ayek-ayek.”

Both individuals also attempted to evade Registered Mount Semeru Climbing Guides (PPGST) during their descent from Semeru, subsequently fleeing into a plantation where they were apprehended by local residents. The climbers were immediately handed over to TNBTS officers.

“The monitoring at Taman Satriyan was a follow-up to patrols and sweeps by officers along routes suspected of being used as illegal access points to Mount Semeru. The 11 individuals detained have been directed to descend for data collection and further examination,” he said.

The TNBTS Grand Office is currently hunting for four other illegal climbers suspected of using the Purbakala area for their ascent.

Meanwhile, TNBTS Grand Office Public Relations Officer, Endrip Wahyutama, stated that regarding sanctions, the authorities are still awaiting the results of the process conducted by the Forestry Law Enforcement Office for Java, Bali, and Nusa Tenggara of the Ministry of Forestry.

“(Sanctions) have not been determined yet; we will be provided with information by the law enforcement authorities,” he said.