Responding to extreme weather and the rising trend of seasonal hiking, the North Kedu Forest Management Unit (KPH) has acted quickly to tighten supervision in the Mount Sumbing area. Through social communication held on Tuesday (14/7), Perhutani coordinated directly with the operators of the Hiking Basecamp via Adipuro at the Mangli Forest Management Resort (RPH), BKPH Magelang, to align risk mitigation steps in the field.
This preventive step focuses on securing the forest area from potential forest and land fires, waste management, and tightening supervision over the flow of hikers entering and leaving the area. Extra preparedness is considered crucial as temperatures in the mountainous area are dropping sharply, alongside the rise of the FOMO (fear of missing out) phenomenon, where novice hikers often climb for social media trends without proper preparation.
The Head of BKPH Magelang, Yulianto, representing the Administrator of KPH Kedu Utara, emphasized that hiker safety and the preservation of the forest ecosystem are the top priorities. His office requires strict checks on logistics, warm clothing, and safety equipment before hikers are permitted to ascend. He also strongly urged visitors to avoid any activities that could trigger sparks, such as building unauthorized campfires or discarding cigarette butts.
Responding to this, the manager of the Sumbing Basecamp via Adipuro, Ridho, expressed his full commitment to supporting Perhutani's policy. The basecamp team promised to continue educating hikers, especially beginners, to practice better discipline in waste management and to understand safety regulations to prevent unwanted incidents along the hiking trail.
