Simalungun Regency, North Sumatra Province, has Simarjarungjung Nature Tourism area which is one of the attractions along the north side of Lake Toba. The Simarjarunjung area is an alternative destination for tourists because this area is a location that can be used as a vantage point to see the landscape of Lake Toba, as well as a stopover location for tourists visiting various attractions in the Lake Toba surrounding area. The objective of this study is to analyze potential of the natural tourism objects and feasibility level of developing the natural attractions in the Simarjarunjung area. The analytical method used in this study refers to the guidelines for Operational Area Analysis of Natural Tourism Objects and Attractions (henceforth referred to as ADO-ODTWA) issued by the Director General of Forest Protection and Nature Conservation (henceforth referred to as Dirjen PHKA) in 2003. Data are collected through surveys by direct observation and interviews using questionnaires to visitors. The Simarjarunjung Nature Tourism Area has several potential natural attractions, first, beauty of the natural scenery where visitors can look at the view of Lake Toba and green hills surrounding it and experience the microclimate of the mountains with cool, clean and comfortable air. Second; potential diversity of exotic flora and fauna such as pine (Pinus merkussi), red shoots (Syzygium oleana), various orchid plants, various flower plants, especially miana (Coleus scutellarioides), long-tailed monkey (M fascicularis) and eagle (Haliastur sp); and the third, natural recreational rides such as camping ground and parks. The results show that the potential objects in the Simarjarunjung Nature Tourism area are classified into “feasible to develop” category into tourism with a feasibility index of 79.56.

Indonesia’s natural potential is very diverse, one of which is the natural tourism potential of the provinces in Indonesia. Sumatra, especially North Sumatra, is currently developing its natural potential, namely the Simarjarunjung Nature Tourism Area. This area is a magnet for tourists, because the hill is one of the ideal locations to see the landscape of Lake Toba. This study is aimed to analyze the total economic value with the travel method (Travel Cost Method) and the factors that influence tourists’ visits to the Simarjarunjung Natural Tourism Area. The method used to estimate the economic potential of tourism activities in the Simarjarunjung Nature Tourism Area is the individual travel cost method, while to determine the factors that affect the intensity of tourist visits to the Simarjarunjung Nature Tourism Area, it is determined by multiple linear regression analysis. The research data were obtained by asking questions on the questionnaire to the visitors. The results showed that the economic potential of the Simarjarunjung Nature Tourism Area reached IDR. 6,207,894,000/year, and the variables that had a significant effect on the intensity of tourists’ visits to the Simarjarunjung Nature Tourism Area were travel costs, age, and distance variables.

The environment is something that is very influential in life, but cannot be avoided from the term pollution. The problem is a top priority for local residents, so the tips needed are environmental preservation to maintain a beautiful environment and the balance of the ecosystem. The purpose of this study is to describe the origin of the formation Bendung Lepen Gajah Wong, the role of youth in the construction of Bendung Lepen Gajah Wong, and the function of Bendung Lepen Gajah Wong in the lives of local residents. The qualitative method is appropriately used in this program by conducting interviews, observations, and documentation to obtain relevant data or information. The results of this program indicate that 1) before Bendung Lepen Gajah Wong was built, it was a river that was used for irrigation channels which was filled with waste and garbage so as to pollute the environment. 2) Seeing the condition of the environment which is filled with garbage, there arises the awareness of the young people around to preserve the environment by cleaning up trash around the river and Bendung Lepen Gajah Wong. 3) Bendung Lepen Gajah Wong weir currently functions as an irrigation channel in irrigating rice fields, as a tourist attraction as well as an educational facility for visitors, especially for children, and as a counterweight to the ecosystem.