Due to the beautiful scenery and the fresh air, Puncak is being primary natural and mountain destination for local and international tourist. It influences to decreasing of environment quality which is caused by the non-reciprocal development where the exploitation of tourism potency is not accompanied by landscape management based on the environment conservation principles.
“Environment management is an intact unity and influences each other to meet a balance, stability and productivity of the environment that impact human life and welfare. In addition, everybody without any exception must be keep, save and conserve the other creatures.”
That is what inspired Highland camp to develop camping site in accordance with ecological principles. The land utilization n Highland area refers to harmonious and balanced management as well as expected to support the community welfare and the quality of life.
Therefore, the landscape management and program development of Highland camping site is approached ecologically (an ecological approach). While for the man-made elements to support the programs is approached with eco-development, and the programs development is approached with eco-adventure. It has some basic values such as:
Conservation : is a highland effort to maintain and protect the regularly to prevent destruction without cutting down the benefit of surrounding environment.
Land Rehabilitation : is an effort conducted to recovery land function optimally as intended to through planting many species of plants and reforestation activity.
Edukasi : is an effort to share the awareness about the importance of environment conservation for the community around the Highland area and also for participants. The basic concept of “sharing” is a learning method on environment based on the experience of Highland and others environmental activists in management of environment wisely and well.
In addition to develop nature harmony-based programs, we also conducted land rehabilitation and conservation in conservation camp. It can be seen from the multicultural plants that grow up and cover the land so that make the camping ground shady, full of trees, beautiful, fresh air, green and felt comfort. The plantation of thousands of wood and fruit trees from various species makes Highland as a large trees garden and create harmonious ecology dynamics.
In addition to conservation and rehabilitation of purposes, the development of conservation camp intended to introduce a variety of plant species including the local knowledge about the use of vegetations, trees and medicinal plants growing in the surrounding area of highland. The area often used as supporting area in organizing “Junggle Survival programs & ecological Adventure “
The multicultural vegetations growing up in Highland camping ground include: Pine (Pinus merkusii), spruce (Casuarina sp.), bamboo (Bambusa sp.), mahogany (Switenia macrophylla), agathis (Agathis alba), clove (Eugenia aromatica), kaliandra (Caliandra calothyrsus), Guanacaste (Enterolobium cyclocarpum), petai (Parkia javanica), cinnamon (Cinamomum zelanicum, Cinamomum burmanii), yellow bamboo (bambusa vulgaris), fruit trees (Arthocarpus integra, Percea americana, Eugenia aromatica, Annona muricata, Durio zibethinus, Garcinia mangostana, Lancium domesticum, Acras, Manilkara kauki, etc.).
In managing the area, the Highland camp applies the principles of sustainable ecosystem perpetually and also involves in economic development of the surrounding communities. The social culture and tradition contained in local wisdom becomes a foothold pillar in the management of the land.
Highland camp has various land topography such as undulating, hills and mountain. The flat land covers 35% of the total mapped area about 3.6 ha. While the other parts of the land are slope about 15-25% and more than 45% slope. The air temperature is relatively constant with the maximum among 31.20-33.30 Celsius degree in the day, while in the night the air minimum temperature is about 16.70 – 22.20 Celsius degree.
Some facilities to support the eco-adventure education, eco-experiential learning and fun adventure programs are:
Those facilities are shady, beautiful and fresh air where many species of trees growing. Some springs appear from the crevices of cliff, hills, valley, creek, orchard and mini forest.
The natural characteristics dominates Aula Bagus Pandang with the expose concept strengthen the architecture uniqueness. It is prepared for indoor activities, stand with two floors towards the south. The southeast view is Gede mount and Pangrango mount, while on the southwest is Salak volcanic mount. In the fine weather, the Jakarta city which is full of skyscrapers could be seen from the west of Aula Bagus Pandang. This lodge can accommodate as many as 150 persons.
Pondok Gebi is one of the lodges to support the program. It is surrounded by lawn that can be used for camping ground. This lodge is very suitable for family-based activities.
Gede Pangrango dome tent is a capacity of 4 – 8 persons completed with mattress, blanket, mat and sleeping bag. The other two are platoon tent with the capacity of 40 -50 persons and boy scouts tent with the capacity of 2-3 persons.
Most of the construction and facilities of Highland camp are made from bamboo and wood materials as the development concept of the area is based on eco-development principles. Beside of environmentally friendly, bamboo and wood materials give natural impression as well. It can be felt when we are in some lodges like bamboo lodges, wood shed, bonteng shelter, check point facilities, patrol post, etc.
