On March 5, 2023, the flower garden—which was lush with pipeworts (Eriocaulon brownianum mart) and was among the green areas on the Rancaupas campsite—was razed due to dozens of trail motorbikes crossing over it and damaged the flowers. The incident was widely condemned and prompted a police investigation.
Perhutani Alam Wisata president director Lucy Mardijana said that her side has taken action to remedy the damage by replanting the damaged area with new plants.
Several parties, from environmental communities, local residents, and other institutions, participated in the garden’s restoration effort, she added.
"We hope environmental rehabilitation measures that we have done can enhance residents' awareness of the importance of preserving the environment," Mardijana said, according to a statement issued here on Friday.
As depicted in photos published by Perhutani Alam Wisata, the damaged flower garden has become green with grass growing on it again, though it has not reached the same height as the surrounding vegetation yet.
The company head affirmed that Rancaupas Camping Ground has been reopened to the public, though the restored flower garden has been made off-limits to visitors.
The decision to reopen the park was aimed at preventing its continued closure from affecting the local economy and residents' livelihood due to lack of tourists, she disclosed.
"We understand that a lot of locals sell their products there and depend on the tourism area operation. If we continue the closure, we are afraid the local economy will wither," Mardijana said.
With the damaged flower garden area recovering, she expressed the hope that operators of natural tourist attractions will balance business, local empowerment, and environmental sustainability.
"Operators of natural tourism destinations must proceed with tourism activities that put more emphasis on the environment by being mindful of its effect on the environment around the forest, and through proper management, the environment quality can be maintained and preserved," she remarked.
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Translator: Bagus Ahmad R, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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