Enviro News Asia, Boyolali – The Ministry of Forestry of the Republic of Indonesia, in collaboration with WWF Indonesia, the Boyolali Regency Government, and the influencer community “Kelana Warriors,” launched a campaign promoting ecotourism and conservation of Mount Merbabu.
The campaign also included a tree-planting activity within the Mount Merbabu National Park area.
Mount Merbabu, which stands at 3,145 meters above sea level, is located in the regencies of Magelang and Boyolali, Central Java.
Known for its edelweiss flowers and vast savanna fields, Mount Merbabu is a favorite destination for hikers thanks to its stunning natural scenery.
The mountain can be accessed through several routes: Selo (Boyolali Regency), Wekas (Magelang Regency), and Cuntel and Thekelan (Salatiga Regency), each offering uniquely beautiful landscapes.
Minister of Forestry Raja Juli Antoni, who attended the campaign, stated that national park management is now being seriously directed toward implementing the principles of zero waste and zero accident.
“We’re tightening the hiking quota system through online registration, because this isn’t mass tourism—it’s conservation-oriented ecotourism,” he said, as conveyed in an official press release from the Ministry of Forestry.
As part of waste monitoring efforts, the Ministry has begun implementing a logistics reporting system and RFID tracking to support hiker safety.
Strict sanctions are also being prepared: those who violate cleanliness regulations may be blacklisted from all national parks in Indonesia for up to five years.
WWF Indonesia CEO Aditya Bayunanda expressed his support for this initiative, highlighting the significant potential of ecotourism as a driver of sustainable economic development.
“The influencers who joined us today collectively represent more than 15 million followers on social media. This is a powerful force for spreading the message of conservation and supporting productive yet sustainable national park management,” he said.
Boyolali Regent Agus Irawan also expressed appreciation for the visit by the Minister of Forestry and the collaboration being developed.
“Merbabu is our tourism flagship. We hope this initiative will have a national impact in strengthening safe and environmentally friendly hiking,” he stated.
The Minister of Forestry concluded with a powerful message: “Nature is not a legacy; it is a trust from future generations. We are obliged to protect it.” *
