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THE Great Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park (BB-TNBTS) will impose motorized vehicles free for one full month at Wulan Kepitu, or the seventh month according to the Tengger tribal calendar.
According to the Head of the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park Center, John Kennedie said that the implementation of the policy for a full month without a motorized vehicle was adjusted to the Tengger people’s calendar, which would be carried out in 2020.
“Wulan Kepitu or Kepitu month in 2020, coincides with January 23 to February 25, 2020 in the Christian calendar. Wulan Kepitu is a month that Tengger elders are considered as a purified month. Tengger people usually do” Mutih Fasting Practice” in that month, which aims to hold behavior, or worldly nature, and get closer to the Creator,” he said.
He also mentioned that in honor of the Wulan Kepitu, tourism activities in the Bromo Region are not allowed to use motorized vehicles, and return to simplicity, so that harmony and smoke are expected to occur away from the hustle and bustle of motor vehicle fumes.
“Later, any type of motorized vehicle is not allowed to enter the Tengger Sand Sea, Savana Telletubies, or start from the Tengger Sand Sea entrance in Cemoro Lawang, Ngadisari Village, Sukapura District, Probolinggo Regency,” John said.
He added, then, at the entrance of Coban Trisula, Jemplang, Malang Regency and the entrance of Dingklik Penanjakan, Tosari District, Pasuruan Regency.
John explained, for certainty the date of the implementation of the motor vehicle free month in the Bromo area, will wait for the certainty of the date and information from Tengger community leaders. The plan is that on January 8, 2020, a meeting will be held on this matter.
“On January 8, 2020 there will be a meeting to determine the certainty of motor vehicle free month. Even though there will be a day without a motorized vehicle for a full month, tourism activities in the Bromo area remain open. Tourists can use horses, walk, or cycling, he said.
The decision was the result of an agreement at the Tourism Services Coordination Meeting held on May 4, 2019, in Probolinggo Regency, East Java. The meeting was attended by 140 representatives from all stakeholders.
The relevant stakeholders include the Great Bromo Tengger Semeru Park, the East Java Province Tourism Office, and related agencies from Probolinggo Regency.
In addition, representatives from related agencies of Malang Regency, Pasuruan Regency, tourism associations in East Java, Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI), jeep community, horse community, and communities of nature lovers, including the TNI and Polri. [antaranews/photo special]
