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fter being added to the UNESCO Global Geopark Network (UGGN), Indonesia proposed that Mount Rinjani in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), be included in the World Network of Biosphere Reserves, a United Nations body.

“Hence, in 2018, Rinjani can get two international acknowledgements from UNESCO. Beyond the UGGN, hopefully it can be listed as a global biosphere reserve,” said Rinjani Geopark general manager Chairul Mahsul in Mataram on Tuesday.

Chairul said Indonesia’s request to designate Rinjani as a biosphere reserve would be jointly conveyed by representatives of the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) and the NTB administration during UNESCO’s 30th International Coordinating Council of the Man and the Biosphere Program (ICC-MAB) in Palembang, South Sumatra, from July 23 to 28.

Other than Rinjani, LIPI proposed that Berbak Sembilang National Park in South Sumatra as well as Betung Kerihun National Park and Sentarum Lake in Kapuas Hulu, West Kalimantan, be designated as biosphere reserves.

A biosphere reserve is a unique ecosystem that is conserved and protected for research and educational purposes.

As of today, there are 699 biosphere reserves in 120 countries, 11 of which are located in Indonesia.