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Wonokitri
The southern
part of the Tengger range is dominated by Mt Semeru, named after
the 'cosmic mountain' and abode of the gods of Indian mythology.
Semeru was very active during the 19th century, and until recently
was sending up a cloud of smoke every 10 minutes or so. The best
view of the mountain can be obtained from the look-out at Piket
Nol, to the east of Lumajang.
Access to the Semeru region is either from Pronojiwo in the south,
Lumajang via Sendoro and Glagaharum in the east, or from Malang,
through Tumpang and up to Gubug Klakah on the western side. The
popular destination is the village and lake of Ranu Pani, from
where the fit can attempt the two day hike to the summit of the
mountain. The first day is a 12 km trek over the 2,800m Ayek
Ayek pass, to Ranu (lake) Kumbolo.From here the climb to the
peak takes three to four hours.Just below the summit, on the
southern side of the mountain, is the 220m deep crater of Jonggring
Seloko.
The Bromo/Semeru region contains a rich variety of flora and
fauna. There are a number of wild plants here which are unique
to the reserve, such as the dwarf shrub styphelia javanica (L.)
with its fragrant white flowers, as well as a special type of
rhododendron. According to a local botanist, who has lived for
more than 10 years near Semeru, the mountain supports a number
of as yet uncatalogued plants, some of which are used locally
as medicines. A good part of the lower slopes of the Tengger
Range are covered with commercial forest plantations, while the
higher regions are home to the hardy cemara (casuarina junghuhniana
L.) tree, which is found all over East Java in the high volcanic
regions.
The range of wildlife here is still not fully recorded, though
a few species, such as the wild pig, Timorese deer (cervus timorensis
L.) and muncak, or barking deer (muntiacus muncak L.) are known
to exist in considerable numbers. There are also leopards and
flying squirrels. Forest birds are few but the lake areas are
home to a good variety of ducks and other waterfowl.
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