HARIANEXPRESS – East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa officially launched the Expedition 81 Arjuno Peak team from the courtyard of Gedung Negara Grahadi, Surabaya, on Saturday, August 15, 2026. This release marks the beginning of an environmental preservation mission involving 500 participants from various groups.
The expedition is part of the celebration for the 81st Anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Indonesia.
Environmental Conservation Mission
This expedition is more than a ceremonial event; it carries a strategic mission focused on conservation. Its primary goals include ecosystem restoration, wildlife protection, and the mitigation of forest and land fire (karhutla) prevention in the East Java region.
A total of 500 participants are involved in this large-scale expedition. They represent government bodies, TNI-Polri, businesses, universities, environmental activists, climbing communities, and the general public. Jumadi, Head of the East Java Forestry Agency, stated that representatives from 16 provinces across Indonesia are also taking part in the activity.
“Jumlahnya ada 500 orang yang ikut dalam misi sampai puncak Arjuno,” ujar Jumadi usai prosesi pelepasan di Gedung Negara Grahadi.
Expedition Journey and Peak Ceremony
After their departure from Surabaya, participants are scheduled to attend a follow-up roll call at the Cangar natural hot spring on Sunday, August 16, 2026. Along the climbing route to the summit, participants are required to undertake ecological tasks.
They are carrying 400 plant seedlings, consisting of mountain fir and ficus species, to be planted along the area leading to the peak of Mount Arjuno. This planting effort aims to restore the vital forest ecosystem.
After spending the night in the Lengkehan area and continuing their journey through Pasar Dieng, the expedition’s peak will be reached on August 17, 2026. The flag-raising ceremony for the 81st Indonesian Independence Day will take place at the summit of Mount Arjuno, which stands at an elevation of 3,339 meters above sea level.
The ceremony is planned to be led directly by Brigadier General Dr. Singgih Pambudi Arianto, Head of Poksahli Kodam V Brawijaya. A key agenda item at the mountain’s peak includes the unfurling of an 81-meter Red and White flag, symbolizing the 81st anniversary of Indonesia’s independence.
Additionally, during the descent, all participants are required to join a clean-up campaign through a “sapu bersih sampah” (trash sweep) program. This initiative is designed to maintain the cleanliness of the climbing trails and the preservation of nature.
Simultaneous Celebrations
Similar independence celebrations are also being held concurrently in several other conservation areas managed under Tahura R. Soerjo. Flag ceremonies are centralized at five other popular climbing points, involving an additional 650 participants.
- Bukit Watujengger (1,100 mdpl)
- Bukit Cendono (1,131 mdpl)
- Bukit Lincing (1,860 mdpl)
- Gunung Pundak (1,585 mdpl)
- Bukit Semar (933 mdpl)
The total number of participants for this year’s expedition across all locations is 1,150. Jumadi concluded, “Jika ditotal secara keseluruhan, ekspedisi tahun ini akan diikuti total 1.150 peserta.”
