The recent earthquake has damaged many roads on Lombok island (Photo: Xinhua/VNA) Jakarta (VNA) – The Mount Rinjani National Park on Lombok island in Wast Nusa Tenggara has planned to upgrade hiking routes on the famed volcano following the 6.4 magnitude earthquake that hit the island on July 29.
The plan aims to provide better and safer facilities for hikers after the earthquake caused landslides that trapped hundreds of hikers on the mountain.
Environment and Forestry Ministry Natural Resources and Ecosystem Director General Wiratno said the improvements include an online booking system, quotas to limit the number of hikers in the park at one time, waste management and radio frequency identification to monitor hikers’ movements.
Following the powerful 6.4 magnitude earthquake, all hiking trails in the area were closed until further notice.
It would also conduct an evaluation on the safety of the hiking trails, alternative routes for evacuation and study the pattern of earthquake impacts on hiking activities, Wiratno said.
As of August 1, a joint team managed to evacuate 1,226 hikers comprising 696 foreigners and 530 Indonesians. The emergency team will stay on alert in the park until August 6.-VNA
VNA
