TEMPO.CO, Bandung - Geology Agency identified a number of potentials of natural damage in areas of Ciletuh National Geopark, Sukabumi regent, West Java. The natural tourism site situated on the southern coast is promoted as World Geopark area to the United Nations Organization for Education, Science and Culture.
Geology Agency Head Ego Syahrial stated that there are at least four potential factors of the damage resulting from illegal mining and the behavior of visitors. Illegal mining and excessive land clearing in Cilteuh geopark area caused the river to be murky and to suffer from pollution.
“Illegal mining has to be eradicated and even legal mining should be limited or should not be extended,” he said on Saturday (6/5).
Landslide and soil damage have to be anticipated as a result of the increase of housing. That is why Geology Agency is firmly against the construction of high story hotels around the site.
Garbage disposed by visitors in the site is another potential of damage to the site. Ego exemplified garbage problem in Rinjani Mount that became a serious concern and spread on social media.
ANWAR SISWADI
