13 illegal Mount Semeru hikers detained, 4 others sought
Eleven were detained on the Purbakala trail, while two others entered through an unlicensed “ayek-ayek” route and fled.
The Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park Authority detained 13 people suspected of illegally hiking Mount Semeru in a patrol operation at RPTN Ranupani, Lumajang, and RPTN Taman Satriyan, Malang, on Tuesday, June 16. Two people were detained in Ranupani, while 11 others were secured in the Purbakala area, Mulyoasri village, Ampelgading subdistrict. Head of Balai Besar TNBTS Rudijanta Tjahja Nugraha said the two hikers in Ranupani entered through an unofficial route known as “ayek-ayek” and briefly evaded the registered Semeru mountain guides before fleeing into a plantation. Residents then detained them and handed them over to officers. TNBTS is still searching for four other hikers suspected of entering through the Purbakala area. All those detained will be questioned by the Java Bali Nusa Tenggara Forestry Law Enforcement Agency.