TEMPO.CO, London - The United Nations for Education, Science and Culture (UNESCO) has declared the Belambangan Biosphere Reserve in East Java to be included in the organization’s list of Biosphere reserves.
The declaration was made during the 28th International Coordinating Council (ICC) meeting of the Man and the Biosphere (MAB) held in Lima, Peru, on March 18-20, 2016.
TA Fauzi Soelaiman, Indonesian Ambassador/Deputy Permanent Delegation to UNESCO in Paris, told ANTARA London on Sunday, March 20, 21016, that the Belambangan Biosphere Reserve had been recognized as one of the World’s Biosphere Reserves by UNESCO. According to Fauzi, one of the positive points of the Belambangan Biosphere Reserve is a synergy and cooperation between the stakeholders, the regional government, local communities, NGOs and private sectors.
Enny Sudarmonowati, chairperson of the National Committee for the MAB Indonesia, said that the declaration reflected regional governments’ commitment in preserving the environment and maintaining a sustainable development. Enny hopes that Indonesia will have more biosphere reserves in the near future.
The Belambangan Biosphere Reserve consists of four conservation areas, namely the Alas Purwo National Park, the Baluran National Park, the Meru Betiri National Park, and Izen Crater Natural Reserve.
This year, UNESCO declared 20 new biosphere reserves adding to a total of 669 biosphere reserves in more than 120 countries. Indonesia currently has 11 biosphere reserves acknowledged by the UNESCO since 1977.
ANTARA
