The North Sulawesi provincial administration plans to propose Bunaken National Park for the third time to UNESCO as a World Heritage site, in a bid to protect the area.

UNESCO rejected designating Bunaken as a heritage site in 2000 and 2005, citing lack of required documentation.

Marieta Kuntag, assistant for economy and development in the provincial administration, said the province was preparing the documents required by UNESCO and expected to get a decision by February 2009.

"We are optimistic UNESCO will declare the area a heritage site thanks to its naturally beautiful coral reefs," she told The Jakarta Post during a visit to the province last week.

"Besides, we already have a special conservation team responsible for taking care of the site."

Designation of a heritage site, Marieta said, was important to help the province rejuvenate the area, with a view to avoiding a possible environmental disaster.

With its rich biodiversity, Bunaken is known as the country's most popular site for diving and snorkeling enthusiasts. The park covers a total area of 89,065 hectares and is home for more than 2,500 types of fish and various kinds of sponges and corals.

The government also plans to propose other marine wonders as heritage sites including Derawan Island in East Kalimantan, Raja Ampat in Papua, Wakatobi in Southeast Sulawesi and Togean in Tomini Bay, Central Sulawesi.

John Tasrin, Sulawesi coordinator of the Wildlife Conservation Society, said Bunaken could get worldwide recognition after being declared as a heritage site.

"Definitely, this can help the site to attract visitors and boost local economic activities," he said.

Involving locals in the tourism sector, he said, was very important to help them carry on earning income after being forbidden to catch fish in the area because of fears that they might do environmental damage.

"The fishermen can sell souvenirs or rent diving equipment to make end meets," he said.

Yunus Kasehung, a staffer at the site information center, said lack of fresh water and poor electricity supply were major factors discouraging tourist potential and visits to the site.

"Tourists often complain over lack of clean water for taking a bath," he said. "They also find it difficult with electricity provided only in the morning and afternoon."

Yunus said he hoped the provincial administration would pay attention to these two issues to enable locals to benefit from the site. (ewd)

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