Bali To Ban All Mountain Activities After Rise In Unruly Tourist Behaviour
NDTV
22 mountains are covered by the decision, including Mount Batur and Mount Agung, which are both popular landmarks.
The Island of Bali in Indonesia, famous for its beautiful scenery and lush green hills, is a popular tourist destination, attracting many travelers across the world.
However, after a string of incidents involving misbehaving visitors, Bali's governor issued an ''immediate effect'' ban on all tourist activities in the island's mountains, CNN reported. Popular activities like mountain climbing and hiking will no longer be allowed for both foreign and domestic tourists as well as locals.
''These mountains are sacred and revered. If their sanctity is damaged, it is the same as degrading the sacredness of Bali. This ban is in effect forever and is not only for foreign tourists but also domestic tourists and local residents… (with the exception of) religious ceremonies or the handling of natural disasters,'' island's governor Wayan Koster told reporters at a news conference on May 31
22 mountains are covered by the decision, including Mount Batur and Mount Agung, which are both popular landmarks. Though locals will also be stopped from certain activities, they'd be allowed on the mountains for “religious ceremonies or the handling of natural disasters.”