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ount Rinjani, located on Lombok Island, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), has again been put forward for geopark status in the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO) world geopark network, after it failed to be nominated two years ago due to lack of supporting documents.

“Mt. Rinjani was earlier proposed as a world geopark, together with Mt. Sewu [East Java] and Mt. Batur [Bali]. Now, we propose it again and hopefully it will become one of the world’s geoparks by 2013,” NTB Tourism Promotion Board head Awanadhi Aswinabawa told The Jakarta Post on Friday.

Awanadhi said that this time around, the administration had managed to fulfill all supporting documents required for the proposal. This year, the mountain forms part of a set of proposals.

“After Mt. Batur succeeded in being listed as a world geopark, now the Tourism and Creative Economy Ministry is focusing on developing and nominating three other locations; Mt. Rinjani, Lake Toba [North Sumatra] and Mt. Sewu [East Java] as geoparks,” he said.

Awanadhi added that should Mt. Rinjani succeed in being listed as a world geopark, he hoped the number of tourists visiting would increase significantly so local communities would also benefit.

Mt. Rinjani National Park (TNGR) center head Agus Budiono said a team from UNESCO visited the park at the end of November to conduct observations and initial studies.

“The UNESCO team came to observe the condition of the area. We are optimistic that Mt. Rinjani will be accepted as a world geopark,” he said.

The beautiful and natural panorama of the 3,726-meter high mountain is unique, with the presence of Segara Anak crater lake and the active Baru Jari volcano, Rinjani’s offspring.

Mt. Rinjani is the second highest volcano in Indonesia after Mt. Kerinci (3,800 meters above sea level) in Sumatra. The peak of Mt. Rinjani is located on the eastern slope of the caldera, a crater lake in the shape of a crescent moon. The new volcano, which is still active, is found in the caldera.

Mt. Rinjani, which is part of the national park, is currently managed by a body named Rinjani Trek Management Board (RTMB), which consists of the administration, NGOs, communities and tour operators.

Mt. Rinjani has repeatedly achieved national and international accolades, such as the World Legacy Award in 2004 and a finalist of the Tourism for Tomorrow Awards in 2005 and 2008.

The number of tourists visiting Mt. Rinjani has reportedly increased. As of November this year, TNGR recorded there were around 8,400 foreign and 4,600 domestic tourists visiting the park from the two trekking routes in Senaru, North Lombok, and Sembalun, East Lombok.

RTMB executive director Asmuni Irpan said the only obstacles faced by the board were the residents’ and tourists’ lack of environment awareness. This could be seen through the piles of non-organic waste along the trekking route.

“We have carried out a reward program to raise people’s awareness,” he said.

“Anybody who can collect a kilogram of garbage in the Rinjani area will be rewarded Rp 25,000 [US$2.70]. But unfortunately, the program has only been in operation for the first three months after April.”