Closure of trekking routes on Ujung Kulon peninsula was officially announced by the Ujung Kulon National Park Office on Monday, 23 October 2023. The pedestrian path on the Ujung Kulon Peninsula, Banten, has officially been closed to protect the habitat of the One-horned Rhinoceros or Javan Rhino. The closure of trekking or walking tourist routes will take effect on November 1 2023 for an unspecified time.
This temporary closure was carried out to restore the ecosystem as well as protect the habitat of the Javan Rhinoceros. Which is included in the critically endangered category in the Red List Data Book list issued by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN).
Javan rhinoceros is also listed in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), as a species that has very few numbers in nature and is feared to be extinct.
“Our observations since 2020 show that rhino activity is very rarely found on tourist tracks and has shifted to safer locations, while the Javan Rhino’s habitat is only on the Ujung Kulon Peninsula,” said Ardi Andoni, Head of the TNUK Hall, in official statement, quoted Monday, (23/10/2023).
After the closure, the area is only accessible to researchers. This aims to minimize human activities in the one-horned rhino’s natural habitat.
Ujung Kulon National Park (TNUK) is the last surviving habitat for one-horned rhinos in the world, its area reaches 105,694.46 Ha. The Javan rhino is also classified as a protected animal species based on the Environment and Forestry Ministerial Regulation.
Closed Tourist Routes
List of closed off tourist routes in Ujung Kulon National Park:
- Trekking routes throughout the Ujung Kulon peninsula and Cilintang – Karang Ranjang – Kalejetan – Legon Pakis.
- Pilgrimage to Sanghyang Sirah is permitted only via Bidur
Meanwhile, limited trekking and nature tourism activities can still be carried out at a number of locations
Peucang Island
Peucang Island or Pulau Peucang is one of the most beautiful place to visit in Ujung Kulon National Park. This small island is situated in Panaitan Strait precisely across from Cidaon Beach. There are a lot of things that you can do here, such as beaching, trekking, photo hunting ect.
Handeleum Islands
Handeuleum Island is situated among several small islands at the northeastern tip of the Ujung Kulon Peninsula coast. It is one of the islands within the Ujung Kulon National Park area.
Panaitan Island
Panaitan Island is a remote and relatively untouched island located in the Ujung Kulon National Park in Indonesia. All the tourist objects in Panaitan Island are still open for visitors, including:
- Legon Butun – Legon Bajo – Ciharashas trekking route.
- Legon Butun Route
- Karang Masjid – Karang Jajar – Legon Bajo – Legon Butun trekking route.
- Citambuyung – Mount Raksa climbing route.
Mount Honje
All the tourist objects at Gunung Honje area are still open for visitors, including:
- Ciguha Cave Trail.
- Cicegog River Trail.
- Cikawung Waterfall Route.
- Dengdeng Waterfall Route.
- Batususuan Waterfall Route.
- Cihangasa Waterfall Route.
- Cibiuk Hot Springs Route.
- Cisaat Hot Springs Route.
- Ciburuluk Waterfall Route.
- Mount Honje Peak Climbing Route.
- Mount Tilu pilgrimage.
- Paniisan pilgrimage.
TNUK is the last habitat for one-horned rhinos in the world, its area reaches 105,694.46 Ha. The Javan rhinoceros is also classified as a protected animal species based on the Minister of Environment and Forestry Regulation (Permen) of the Republic of Indonesia, Number P.106/MENLHK/SETJEN/KUM.1/12/2018.
Concerning the second amendment to the Environment and Forestry Ministerial Regulation number P. 20/MENLHK/SETJEN/KUM.1/6/2018, concerning Types of Protected Plants and Animals.
To meet their living needs, therefore, the Javan Rhinoceros needs a certain home range and determines behavioral patterns in nature. So the One-horned Rhinoceros tends to avoid routes that have the potential to be frequently used for activities.