Responding to an increase in incidents involving lost hikers—some of which have even turned fatal—on the slopes of Mount Batukaru, the Tabanan Resort Police (Polres) is currently initiating an overhaul of climbing procedures. This strategic step is being taken as a preventive mitigation effort to reduce accident rates in the mountain area.
Tabanan Police Chief, AKBP I Putu Bayu Pati, revealed plans to implement a one-gate system policy as a crucial step for data collection. Up until now, the numerous access points spread across several locations were deemed to hinder the monitoring of hiking activities, making it difficult for officers to strictly control the entry and exit of hikers.
In addition to centralizing entry points, the police will also enforce skill assessment standards for individuals before they begin their climb. This policy targets novice hikers with minimal experience. Moving forward, hikers deemed lacking technical proficiency will be required to be accompanied by official local guides as a preventive safety measure.
Furthermore, Bayu Pati explained that these regulations will be drafted collaboratively involving the Tabanan Regency Regional Government and local customary village stakeholders. This cross-sectoral coordination is expected to yield more comprehensive standard operating procedures, thereby facilitating rescue team operations in emergency situations in the future.
