As Indonesians breathe a sigh of relief after a barrage of warnings of eruptions from the country's most active volcanoes, Baturraden resort at the foot of Mount Slamet in central Java remains calm and shines as an eco-tourism jewel.
Mount Slamet, or Gunung Slamet in Indonesian, is an active volcano and the second-highest peak on Java island, reaching 3,428 m above sea level.
The resort itself was established in 1979, and is surrounded by beautiful green gardens, hot springs, ponds and bungalow-style hotels 650 m up the slopes. As visitors indulge themselves with the harmonic surroundings of a vast pine forest and green valley, they can also dip their feet in the cold spring water running through the middle of the resort.
"It's such a great place to breathe fresh, clean air for me and my family," says Widyanarti, 32, a mother who came all the way from Jakarta and who goes by a single name.
"You don't get this kind of weather in the polluted cities such as Jakarta," she says, adding that the resort is also a perfect place for children to learn about nature and the importance of preserving it.
The cool mountain breezes are a special draw for domestic and international visitors, and the resort caters to all. Admission is only 3,000 Rupiah ($0.30). It opens daily from 5:30 am and closes around midnight.
Around 400 visitors come on weekdays, but during weekends the numbers can swell to thousands, one official says.
Baturraden is also a well-known spot to spend a day trekking through its splendid natural forest and villages. Always green, blanketed with a light misty air, the area is blessed with an abundance of natural water resources spouting in numerous waterfalls and rivers, which flow between huge boulders of hardened lava.
Visitors can spend the whole day picnicking on the grassy lawn or along the river or bathing in the mineral waters.
While children enjoy recreational park facilities including a swimming pool, water slide and mini zoo, the adults can pamper themselves in the natural hot springs. Traditional massages are also available for 20,000 Rupiah.
At the resort, local people sell food, beverages, handicrafts and other services to visitors.
"Baturraden is a great example of how a mountainous area can be managed as a potential asset for eco-tourism," says Indriyani, a program manager at Indecon, a non-governmental organization specializing in the expansion of eco-tourism in Indonesia.
"Nature gives income to the people in its surroundings, and both can benefit from each other's existence," she says, adding that eruptions from active volcanoes should not be taken as an obstacle.
"Visitors shouldn't be worried about their safety because the vulcanology agency gives warnings, if they think the volcano enters a dangerous stage."
Indriyani says eco-tourism in Indonesia has huge potential, although it is not yet getting proper attention from the government. That includes the need to provide a comprehensive policy for local governments to ensure conservation as well as reaping benefits from nature.
(Agencies via China Daily December 27, 2007)
