On the steep slopes of Mountain Rinjani, it gets
very cold at night, but as soon as the sun comes out, a scenic panorama is
revealed. Rice, garlic, tomato, chili, cabbage fields unfold in the valley
against the background of the still active volcano. The indigenous Sembalun
community settling here has scarce space to live. The steeper slopes cannot be
cultivated. A part of their traditional land overlaps with the Mount Rinjani
National Park, other areas where turned into big, privately-owned, plantations.
A huge state-of-the-art greenhouse in the middle of the land traditionally used
by the Sembalun for cattle ranching, on the territory of the national park
further reduces the land available.
The
introduction of modern large-scale agribusiness and private land
ownership has over the last decades considerably devastated the
natural resources, diminished the forest and threatened the water
sources. It is forbidden to extract any kind of wood or hunt
animals. Whoever wants to fell a tree needs to receive a permission,
subject to a proof that 10 new trees have been planted.
Newly-married couples have the obligation to plant 4 new trees and
care for them.
Traditionally, of the 24 000 hectar belonging to the customary
Sembalun land, only about 4000 are converted to be used for fruit
and vegetable agriculture, pasture land for livestock, rice fields,
settlement and harvest stocks. The remaining area is remains for the
biggest part intact nature, consisting mainly of forests.
In recent times, cattle running free have become a problem, together
with forest fires, damaging the intact or freshly reforested areas.
Sembalunis divided into two villages;
Sembalun Lawang and Sembalun Bumbung which only 2 km
apart. The area looks like a dry lake, transformed into a fertile
land. Sembalun Lawang is set in an ancient and fertile caldera to
the east of Mt. Rinjani, the preferred access route for summiteers.
The rich soil produces high quality market garden crops, including
the famous garlic and rice, staple of local farmers. Seismic
activity is monitored daily at the government Rinjani Volcanology
Centre.
The beautiful valley of Sembalun is also
known for its hill walks, recently restored traditional village,
active cultural performers and local weavers. Some home stay (losmen)
accommodation is available and trek services are based at the Park’s
Rinjani Information Centre. Also enquire about the local walks: the
Sembalun Lawang Village Walk, to experience the scenic beauty of the
village or/and the Sembalun
Wildflowers Walk, a two day one night hike to see the
wildflowers at Propok in Gunung Rinjani National Park.
LOMBOK
NETWORK
HOLIDAYS
Jl. Intermilan 87 Puri Meninting Lombok NTB
Indonesia 83355
The
introduction of modern large-scale agribusiness and private land
ownership has over the last decades considerably devastated the
natural resources, diminished the forest and threatened the water
sources. It is forbidden to extract any kind of wood or hunt
animals. Whoever wants to fell a tree needs to receive a permission,
subject to a proof that 10 new trees have been planted.
Newly-married couples have the obligation to plant 4 new trees and
care for them.
Sembalun
is divided into two villages;
Sembalun Lawang and Sembalun Bumbung which only 2 km
apart. The area looks like a dry lake, transformed into a fertile
land.