TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - UNESCO has recognized three Indonesian biosphere reserves in Bunaken Tangkoko Minahasa, Karimunjawa Jepara Muria and Merapi Merbabu Menoreh in the International Coordinating Council of the Man and the Biosphere Programme hearing on October 27-28.

Indonesian Ambassador/Permanent Delegate to UNESCO Surya Rosa Putra said the three biosphere reserves were eventually recognized after receiving positive scores from the advisory committee and from the entire ICC-MAB members.

The meeting approved 24 proposals for the inclusion of biosphere reserves into the UNESCO list, including three from Indonesia. To date, there are 714 UNESCO biosphere reserves in 129 countries.

Putra echoed the Indonesian government's commitment to preserving the three biosphere reserves.

For Indonesia, the naming of the biosphere reserves aims to not only protect and preserve the environment but also to proffer social benefits to residents near the biosphere reserves.

Being part of the World Network of Biosphere Reserve (WNBR) has presented an opportunity for Indonesia to forge scientific and socio-economic cooperation with fellow UNESCO member states, he affirmed.

Executive Director of the Committee for MAB Indonesia, Prof. Dr. Ir. Y. Purwanto DEA, who also partook in the virtual meeting, noted that UNESCO had initiated the concept of biosphere reserves since 1971. The concept lays emphasis on managing an area, with a focus on striking a balance between biodiversity conservation requirements and sustainable socio-economic activities.

With the naming of the three biosphere reserves, Indonesia currently has 19 UNESCO biosphere reserves.

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ANTARA