Tomohon City Government Bans Mount Lokon Hikes to Prevent Forest Fires
The Tomohon City Government in North Sulawesi has prohibited the public from carrying out climbing activities on Mount Lokon and its surroundings to prevent forest and land fires (karhutla).
“We are informing the public regarding the ban on climbing activities on Mount Lokon and its surroundings in accordance with recommendations from the Centre for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) and the Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA),” said Tomohon City Regional Secretary Edwin Roring in an advisory letter on the impacts of the dry season in Tomohon on Thursday.
The ban on climbing activities in the Mount Lokon area and its surroundings is intended to anticipate forest and land fires and for the safety of residents carrying out climbing activities.
Other advisories to anticipate the impacts of the dry season in the region include urging the public not to open or clear land by burning, particularly in plantation areas.
Furthermore, the public is reminded to ensure that all electrical equipment is in safe condition, not left connected to the power supply when unattended, and to replace electrical installations or components that are no longer fit for use in accordance with safety standards.
The Tomohon City Government is encouraging the public to use water wisely in order to anticipate potential drought, and to promptly report to officials if leaks are found in water networks or pipes.
The advisory letter also instructs sub-district officials, community protection units (linmas), and coordination with the Civil Service Police Unit/Fire Department (Satpol PP/Damkar), the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), the Environmental Agency (DLH), Babinsa, and Bhabinkamtibmas to increase supervision and monitoring of the area through regular integrated patrols.
The letter refers to an advisory from the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) North Sulawesi Climatology Station regarding anticipation of the dry season.