Tourist activities at Bali’s mountains have been banned by Governor I Wayan Koster.
“These mountains are sacred and revered. If their sanctity is damaged, it is the same as degrading the sacredness of Bali,” said Koster. He stressed that climbing and hiking were no longer allowed by foreign and domestic tourists as well as locals, according to CNN.
“This ban is in effect forever, with the exception of religious ceremonies or the handling of natural disasters,” he said.
In March, Koster announced a crackdown on digital nomads found to be working illegally on the island as guides and hairdressers, saying tourists would no longer be allowed to rent motorbikes after accidents and influencers performing dangerous stunts.
Guides and local agencies told CNN they “heavily lamented” the ban.
“The issue of banning people from climbing mountains is still being discussed with several regional unit heads in the Bali regional government,” said Tourism Minister Sandiaga Uno. “When it’s finalised, it will be announced by the governor.”
