10 Indonesian Areas Listed in UNESCO Global Geoparks Network; Govt Pushing to Add Kebumen
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25 April 2024 07:00 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The government is seeking to include the Kebumen Geopark in the UNESCO Global Geopark and Regional Networks. Kebumen is currently in the evaluation phase, which will be followed by a testing phase by the UNESCO Global Geopark Testing Team.
In May 2023, four more Indonesian geoparks were inscribed in the UNESCO Global Geopark or UGG, bringing the total to 10. The following are 10 geoparks in Indonesia recognized by UNESCO.
- Raja Ampat Geopark
Located in West Papua, right on the equator, Raja Ampat is world famous for its extraordinary geological conditions, so its geological history is recognized by the world. The oldest rocks in Raja Ampat are 439 to 360 million years old, which is one-tenth the age of the Earth.
- Maros Pangkep Geopark
Maros Pangkep Geopark is located in South Sulawesi. It is the second largest karst area after South China. The diversity of flora, fauna and geological conditions in Maros Pangkep is characterized by hundreds of caves once inhabited by prehistoric man. It is also home to millions of butterfly species found in the Maros Pangkep environment.
- Merangin Geopark
Merangin Geopark in Jambi has unique flora fossils with the same name as its province, Jambi. It is a plant fossil found in a rock formation that is 296 million years old. The Jambi plant fossil is also the world's only exposed plant fossil.
- Ijen Geopark
Ijen Geopark in East Java is famous for its natural wonders, volcanic landscape, unique geological formations and cultural heritage. It includes Mount Ijen, a stratovolcano with a turquoise crater lake known as Kawah Ijen, the most acidic lake in the world, and the Belambangan Biosphere Reserve.
- Batur Geopark
Batur Geopark in Bali is Indonesia's first geopark to be recognized by the UNESCO Global Geopark Network. Like Ijen Geopark, Batur Geopark is associated with a volcano, Mount Batur, which is still active today. The massive eruption of Mount Batur had formed a double caldera and an ancient lake, which is now a natural treasure of its environment.
