Mount Rinjani, The Natural Metropolitan City of Lombok Island

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Mount Rinjani, The Natural Metropolitan City of Lombok Island

The charm of Mount Rinjani is the greatest treasure on the island of Lombok in the realm of tourism. In fact, for the Province of West Nusa Tenggara (NTB). Mount Rinjani itself is well known as a climbing spot.

Even a mountain as high as 3,726 meters above sea level is on Indonesia’s 7 highest peaks (Seven Summit) list. The mountain of pride and concern of Lombok residents is the third highest peak after Puncak Jaya, Papua and Mount Kerinci in West Sumatra.

However, Lombok residents are worried about this volcanic mountain. This is because the status is still active. Although not as active as Mount Merapi in Yogyakarta, Rinjani is still the second-highest active volcano in Indonesia.

That way, Lombok can be proud because it has Rinjani perched high up on its land. However, its active status as a volcano as high as more than 3,500 meters above sea level can be viewed from a paranoid angle.

However, apart from these two axes, even from them, all the charms of Mount Rinjani are gathered. Rinjani is not just a natural construction but also a map of local wisdom around it.

Look Up Bow

What becomes the first discussion about Mount Rinjani is its stunning natural panorama, of course. So hard to doubt that. Especially for those who have visited.

Even though the island of Lombok is surrounded by a charming coastline, this area still provides a balance. In front of the row of beaches, Rinjani is a great power.

If likened, Rinjani is like a magnificent natural royal palace. Too majestic for an island of fewer than 5,000 km2. No wonder this mountain area is considered a giant pillar of the island of Lombok.

Everyone respects him, starting from the side of tradition, environment, and urban views. Under Rinjani, all seemed reluctant to look up, even unwilling to submit. Hopefully, Rinjani is not accessible to “rage”.

Headwater Kingdom

Apart from the splendour and the horror in it, Rinjani is not merely an object. It is so possible to be considered as something alive. In her daily life, Rinjani is a good person.

Its existence, either directly or indirectly, can sustain life around it. The entire area of ​​​​the island of Lombok may not be “around” enough for him. The reason is, Rinjani is of the total area of ​​the island.

Geographically, it is clear that Mount Rinjani is the highest peak on the roof of Lombok Island. There are 10 watersheds (DAS) with 5 sub-locations of this mountain.

Because he can supply water to 90 percent of the rivers in Lombok, Rinjani deserves respect. At least 54 rivers originate in the “royal” territory of Mount Rinjani.

Representation of the Two Continents

With its natural splendour, Rinjani has automatically acted as a water supplier. The need for water on the island of Lombok is very dependent on the sustainability of its strength.

Water and the reflection of Rinjani’s strength are also evident from its natural landscape, which is filled with other riches. It is the flora and fauna that inhabit the geography of its body and become part of it.

There, Asian and Australian flora and fauna coexist. This can happen because its geographical location is on an imaginary line called the Wallace Line.

This line indicates the distribution of animal and plant species, including vegetation that shows the characteristics of both continents. It’s no wonder that the rainforest is adjacent to the typical Australian savanna in Rinjani.

Be a Comfortable Home

Of several protected animals in Rinjani, the langur budeng is one that often appears. However, animals such as deer, deer, and wild boars are most often seen in the path of local residents to move.

In addition, the Rinjani forest is also home to the long-tailed grey macaque. This primate is commonly seen in the Rinjani crater rim area. The dense forests are also home to palm civets, leopards, owls, to the most distinctive, the sulfur-crested cockatoo.

Meanwhile, on the flora side, edelweiss flowers are one of the main attractions of Rinjani. Not only that but Rinjani’s wealth is also filled with cypress forests, fig trees and banyan trees.

In fact, several species of orchids can also be found here. At least around ​​Mount Rinjani, there are ± 500 endemic plant species. And the distribution of this flora grows following the path of the height of Mount Rinjani.

From 1000 masl to the top

Based on its distribution, the richness of flora in this area is divided into three levels. Three of them are altitudes below 1000 masl, above 1000 masl, and the area around the top of the mountain.

Below an altitude of 1000 meters above sea level, for example, plants such as neem leaves (Azadirachta Argentea), banyan (Ficus Superba), lambudu (Lisianthus), and forest randu (Gossampinus heptaphylla). There is also forest nutmeg (Myristica fatua), rattan (Calamus) and bayur (Pterospermum javanicum).

Uphill slightly, at an altitude of above 1000 meters above sea level in Rinjani’s body, the Myrtaceae flora thrives. Still, at the same height, this mountain is overgrown with giant wood species, such as jukut (Eugenie polyantya) and mountain pine (Casuarina junghuhniana),

Other types of plants, such as orchids (Vanda) and reeds (Imperata cylindrica), also enliven the ecosystem built here. Not to forget, Anaphalis javanica or Javanese edelweiss flower makes Rinjani’s height above 1000 models his favourite place to grow.

Spacious Fresh Air Field

If you go up to the top, the level of vegetation is undoubtedly not as dense as the level below. Various grass species dominate because of the barren, rocky, and sandy soil conditions due to the closer proximity to the volcanic point of Mount Rinjani itself.

Seeing the groves of plants that adorn the surface of this mountain body makes it look like a house. A prominent place for a colony of living things other than humans, including metaphysical myths that some Lombok people still believe.

However, instead of simply being called home, maybe it would be more appropriate to see Rinjani as such a spacious airfield. Yes, a field whose expanse is crawling up towards the peak.

As is known, the highland area has a much better flow of fresh air circulation. Likewise, Rinjani has an area of ​​41,330 hectares.

Gathered In Wholeness

Rinjani can be called another splendour based on that mathematical number, area, and height. A parameter of grandeur that is different from the definition of the word “majestic”, which is common nowadays.

Rinjani is a phenomenon. Formed by natural processes, which are indeed very long. That’s the full splendour of Rinjani. Glorious towering, at the same time gracefully spread.

This spacious airfield on the island of Lombok is a building that seems to be trying to claw its way into the sky with a broad caldera peak as well. A natural giant lump that gathers sustains and balances other wholes outside of itself.

Coincidentally or not, Mount Rinjani may be destined to fulfil its complex role as an island. An island that may be too narrow for its overall body.

Spell Rinjani’s Identity

Rinjani (supposedly) can be seen as a living object. Rinjani is not limited to a visual thing in the form of a mountain, which is then exploited as a giant tool or asset for the benefit of the tourism industry alone. We need to see it with empathy.

This mountain area, which was a national park on March 6, 1990, also has a history. And still continues to this day. So, how do most of us know him so far?

As its “full name” is called, Mount Rinjani National Park will look much more than just an object. Far from just an area with a stretch of the volcanic lake that participates in it from an altitude of 2008 masl.

Her identity will not be simple by “spelling” Rinjani in a dome of empathy. As with other mountains, its majesty is not dwarfed. His role was not mere pretence, let alone just sentimental.

Rinjani is a big house, an airfield, and a tall building. In some ways, we are too dependent on it. By spelling it, It is like a metropolis that brings together other complexities.

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