JAKARTA: Indonesia's Mount Rinjani National Park in West Nusa Tenggara province has allowed limited nature tourism activities starting Tuesday (Sept 1) amid heightened forest and land fire risks during the dry season, reported Xinhua.
The limited opening covers hiking as well as ritual, religious, cultural, social and research activities, following a directive from the Ministry of Forestry's conservation authority.
Park authorities said they would tighten security, patrols and access controls, while inspecting visitors' belongings for potential sources of fire.
Online bookings through the eRinjani application have been temporarily suspended from Sept 1 until fire risks subside.
"Bookings made and paid for before that date can still be served in accordance with applicable regulations," the park authority said in a statement.
The policy will be reviewed periodically based on fire risk levels, dry-season conditions and developments in forest and land fires within the park. Visitors have also been reminded that unauthorised use of fire is prohibited.
The move comes as Indonesia continues to battle forest and land fires in several regions. As of Aug 30, the Forestry Ministry had recorded 946 high-confidence hotspots nationwide, with firefighting operations continuing at 60 of 93 reported fire locations, particularly in Kalimantan and Sumatra. - Bernama-Xinhua
