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The Need for a Planning Framework to Preserve the Wilderness Values of Sibayak Volcano, North Sumatra, Indonesia 137

visitor-related environmental impacts reported in by Cochrane (2006) and the push for Indonesia to
the visitor survey include soil erosion along walk recover and expand its international markets
trails (62 per cent), damage to vegetation (57 per provides a sound rationale for the proposed
cent), hiking off trails and the presence of litter (69 interpretation strategy discussed below.
per cent). Litter is reported to be a significant
impact because it is being increasingly perceived as Sustainable trail management
spoiling natural values, especially from a Western Trail systems are important in providing access to
cultural perspective. When visitors were asked valued natural attractions while at the same time
(support/strongly support) about potential offering a directional route for visitors to follow
management strategies there was support for so that trampling of vegetation and substrates can
visitor education (79 per cent), additional maps be avoided. If trails are not planned and managed,
and directional signage (61 per cent), restriction of degradation generally occurs in the form of soil
hiking in some areas (58 per cent) and a desire for erosion, trail widening and visitor-created trail
more staff (49 per cent). proliferation. An LAC framework can be applied
A survey at Mt Bromo in Java carried out by to existing trail systems as in the case of Sibayak.
Cochrane (2006) involved a combination of The use of indicators and desired standards can set
questionnaires, interviews and participant the scene for a monitoring programme that
observations. Indonesian visitors completed 72 evaluates management success and implementation
and foreigners completed 101 questionnaires. The of responses (Anderson et al, 1998). The existing
Indonesian visitor data set provides some insights trail network at Sibayak needs to be assessed and
into the nature of domestic tourism in recent if found to be unsustainable may require
years. Group sizes averaged around 15.5 as improvement maintenance, reconstruction or in
compared to 2.2 for non-Asians. Western tourists places re-routing. A problem-based assessment
showed a preference for hiking, had come to view process may be the most useful approach as this
the volcano and demonstrated environmental technique assesses the frequency, extent and
awareness. They were interested in naturalness, location of problems encountered along the entire
authenticity and tranquility. A significant trail (Leung and Marion, 1999). Documentation
proportion (37 per cent) found commercial of impacts along the trial provides a basis for
development, litter, crowding and the lack of targeted management actions such as the
information to detract from their experience of replacement/reconstruction of steps, trail surface
the volcano. From a Western perspective these water control measures, trail hardening, directional
detracting components negatively impact on the signage and the closure and rehabilitation of
tourism experience at Mt Bromo. Indonesian visitor created trails (Newsome et al, 2002;
visitors by contrast had a more recreation focus to Marion and Leung, 2004). Ongoing monitoring
their trip consisting of hiking and satisfying the and maintenance then needs to be employed in
challenge of getting to the top. Once at the top order to maintain sustainable conditions (Mende
picnicking, socializing and viewing the scenery and Newsome, 2006).
was preferred over the nature experience approach
that Westerners desired. This view is reflected by
comments (40 per cent of respondents) relating to Managed access programme
a lack of facilities around the summit area. In and crater floor rehabilitation
direct contrast to other visitors only 3 per cent of In addition to adequate trail directional signage,
Indonesians would have preferred more areas around the summit need to be protected
information about the park. Cochrane (2006) from uncontrolled access and trampling. This can
however is of the view that the Indonesian be achieved through the use of on-site
perspective is changing with Indonesians travelling interpretation panels that can guide the visitor to
in smaller groups and showing a preference for planned viewing areas while at the same time
more natural experiences and knowledge about advising visitors, with reasons, not to access the
the place they are visiting. This latter observation crater area (Figures 8.4 and 8.5).

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