KARANGASEM, Kanal Bali – Following many violations over the ban on hiking Mount Agung in Karangasem, Bali, a new rule is now issued. All hikers could now be fined a-Rp 1 million cash.
It was regulated in a convention agreed upon by all members of Pucang Customary Village, a customary village on the slope of Mount Agung. The convention, traditionally called perarem, decided that all people hiking the active volcano could be fined a Rp 1 million cash.
“The rule has been issued. It’s a convention agreed among customary village members,” Kubu Subdistrict head, Nyoman Suratika, confirmed on Tuesday. Pucang village is located in Kubu subdistrict area.
Suratika said that the convention is made following many violations over the ban. It is known that many tourists had illegally hiked the rumbling volcano. The rule is made to minimize the risk, as Mount Agung could erupt at any time.
“The villagers decided it based on recommendation from the authority,” Suratika added.
A ban on hiking at Mt. Agung has been in effect ever since the volcanic activity increased in 2017. The Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation Center (PVMBG) declared that the Bali’s highest mountain remained active until now. The center warned everyone, both locals and tourists alike, to steer clear of the danger zone where activities are prohibited, a 4-kilometer radius from the summit. The center has maintained the volcano’s alert level at third of the four-tiered levels of the volcano alert system. (kanalbali/KAD)
