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The vast Indonesian archipelago which straddles the equator is filled with countless natural wonders that stretch from the deepest sea floor to the highest mountain peaks. Many of these stunning natural attractions lie within a number of national Geoparks that have for some time already attracted visitors from all parts of the world.
On Friday, 30th November 2018, 8 formerly Aspiring Geoparks received their National Certification from the Indonesia National Geopark Committee.
The National Geopark presentations were conducted along with the signing of the tablet marking the official opening of the Pongkor Geopark by the Minister of Tourism, Arief Yahya, which was held at the Antam Mine Museum, at Pongkor Geopark, Bogor Regency, West Java Province.
The 8 newly certified Geoparks are Silokek, Sianok and the Maninjau, Sawahlunto Geoparks in West Sumatra; Natuna Islands Geopark in the Riau Islands; Pongkor Geopark in West Java; the Karangsambung - Karangbolong Park in Central Java; Banyuwangi Geopark in East Java; and the Meratus Geopark in South Kalimantan.
These recently certified National Geoparks add to the already established Indonesia National Geoparks that include the Toba Caldera in North Sumatra, Mount Merangin in Jambi province, Mount Belitong in Bangka Belitung province, Mount Bojonegoro in East Java, Mount Tambora Geopark in West Nusa Tenggara, Mount Maros in South Sulawesi, and Raja Ampat in West Papua.
On this auspicious occasion, Tourism Minister, Arief Yahya stated that in 2018 Indonesia has set the target to have 9 Aspiring National Geoparks, 15 National Geoparks, visited by 937,125 tourists who came to purposely explore the Parks. “Indonesia has currently 4 established UNESCO Global Geoparks that contribute significantly to our tourism competitive rating. These are the Ciletuh- Palabuhanratu Geopark in West Java having received 164,443 international tourists; the Gunung Sewu Geopark which spreads across the provinces of Central Java, East Java, and Yogyakarta, having been visited by 4,315,000 international tourists; the Mount Batur Park in Bali visited by 275,000 international tourists; and Mount Rinjani on Lombok, in the West Nusa Tenggara province which recorded 30,847 international tourists,” said Minister Arief Yahya.
There are 5 categories of criteria to evaluate a National Geopark. These are: its Geological features and landscape (5%), its geo-conservation efforts (20%), its geological heritage and culture (10%), its management and managerial structure (25%), its interpretation and environmental education (15%), geo-tourism (15%), and sustainability in the development of its regional economy (10%).
Furthermore, Minister Arief Yahya is convinced that Geoparks are prime attractions among Indonesia ’s tourism attractions which have contributed significantly towards overall national tourist arrivals. “The potential prospects of Geoparks can be perfectly combined with ecotourism activities. For this purpose, therefore, the Ministry has actively collaborated with other UNESCO Global Geopark countries which include China and Malaysia” said Minister Yahya.
Meanwhile, the Regent of Bogor, Nurhayati highlighted that the establishment of the Pongkor-Bogor Geopark will act as an important cornerstone to develop Bogor’s western region that comprises 18 districts. The newly certified Pongkor Geopark in Bogor covers a total area of 132,493 hectares. The site includes the Pongkor Geosite, Luewiliang, Tenjolaya, and Parung. Its vast landscape includes mountains, hills, valleys, and swathes of lowland plains.
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