Borobudur Temple Clean-Up Operation Involves 1,910 Volunteers

Magelang, C. Java (Antara) - Between Feb 14 and Feb 25, 1,910 volunteers helped to clear up the volcanic ash from the Mount Kelud eruption in the Borobudur Temple, Head of Borobudur Conservation Board Marsis Sutopo stated here on Monday. Marsis explained that the volunteers hailed from various communities and institutions, such as the District Military Command of Magelang, tourism police, street vendors, archeology students of the Gajah Mada University, Indonesia Buddhayana Assembly, Buddhis Religious Colleges of Wonogiri, and Miftahurrohmah Islamic Boarding School. The temple, which is the heritage of the Syailendra family, was closed to tourists due to the volcanic ash of the Mount Kelud eruption that covered some parts of the area on February 14. Marsis expressed his gratitude to PT Taman Wisata Candi Borobudur, Prambanan dan Ratu Boko, and Manohara Center of Borobudur Study for their support in providing volunteers and officials with consumption logistics for the Borobudur clean-up operation. They also supplied clean water, tools, and personnel to clear out the ash in the Borobudur temple. He emphasized that once the clean-up operation concluded, they will conduct checks on the drainage system of Borobudur and carry out long-term research on the negative effects of Mount Kelud's volcanic ash on the temple's structure. In addition to Borobudur, Marsis claimed that the Borobudur Conservation Board also helped in clearing up the volcanic ash that covered the Mendut and Pawon Temples. Reporting by Heru Suyitno. (*)