TEMPO.CO, Bandung - West Java Governor Ahmad `Aher` Heryawan said that the Ciletuh Pelabuhanratu Geopark area has been named as one of UNESCO`s Global Geoparks (UGG). Aher announced it during the opening of the `Fun Day towards UNESCO Global Geopark` event at Palangpang Beach, Sukabumi Regency on Sunday, April 15.
"Two days ago we got word from the UNESCO Assembly in Paris, France, and they agreed to establish several geoparks in the world," the governor said in a release Tempo received on Sunday, April 15.
Read: UNESCO Recognizes Mt. Rinjani as National Geopark
The Ciletuh-Pelabuhanratu Geopark and the Rinjani Geopark in West Nusa Tenggara are named as part of the Global Geopark network along with 12 other geoparks during the 204th session of the UNESCO Executive Board held in Paris on April 14. Aher said the Ciletuh-Palabuhan Ratu Geopark's UGG certificate will be handed over in September 2018 in Portugal.
Aher is asking all parties involved to help preserve and nurture the Ciletuh-Palabuanratu Geopark, which has also been named as a leading travel destination by the government of West Java.
Read: 5 National and Global Geoparks in Indonesia
In 2016, the West Java provincial government spent Rp96 billion to build entrance roads from Waluran to the geopark. This year, the government is spending Rp90 billion to build a road from Paltiga.
Aher said the central government has also prepared the construction of Sukabumi airport to support the Ciletuh-Palabuhanratu Geopark.
"One of the requirements of an international geopark is to have an airport with a maximum distance of three hours journey," he said.
ANTARA
