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Two more Indonesian geoparks get UNESCO recognition
The UNESCO executive board has recognized two geoparks in Central Java and South Kalimantan, namely Kebumen and Meratus, as global geoparks, the Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday.
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National treasure: A lowland forest stretches before the peak of Mount Meratus, as seen on Nov. 25, 2021, from Hinas Kanan village in South Kalimantan. (Antara/Bayu Pratama S)
T
he United Nations cultural body has recognized two geoparks in Central Java and South Kalimantan, namely Kebumen and Meratus, as UNESCO global geoparks, the Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday.
They are among the 16 new global geoparks that have just been approved by the UNESCO executive board in a session in Paris, France, the ministry said in the press release. This followed their nominations by the Global Geoparks Council late last year.
“The UNESCO recognition is evidence of Indonesia’s contribution to preserving Earth heritage,” Mohamad Oemar, Indonesia permanent delegation to UNESCO, said in the press release from the Foreign Ministry on Tuesday.
“At the same time, it signifies a responsibility to preserve, manage sustainably and promote our geological sites and culture,” said Oemar, who is also the ambassador to France.
Located in the southern part of Central Java, Kebumen geopark stretches across an area of about 1,100 square kilometers.
According to a UNESCO document, the geopark has conical hills to the southwest and flat alluvial plains to the southeast. The highlight of the geopark is its records of plate tectonic activities that date back as far as 119 million years ago.
Read also: A closer look at Indonesia's four UNESCO-recognized Global Geoparks
