For The Sake Of Indonesian Tourism, Commission VII DPR Asks The Government To Work Hard To Maintain Kaldera Toba Status At UNESCO

JAKARTA - Deputy Chairman of Commission VII DPR Evita Nursanty paid serious attention to the Geopark Kaldera Toba in North Sumatra who received a warning or yellow card from UGGp or the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Global Geopark.

Evita asked the government to work hard to complete homework to ensure that Kaldera Toba was not removed from the UGGp list.

"We have to honestly admit that the yellow card warning from UNESCO is a hard slap in the way we manage the wealth of the national geology," said Evita Nursanty, Friday, May 23.

Evita emphasized that the threat of revocation of the status of UNESCO Global Geopark (UGGP) Kaldera Toba is not just an issue of national pride, but is more crucial because it can have an impact on the tourism sector and the country's economy. He also assessed that Kaldera Toba's status, which is threatened with being revoked as a geographical heritage, recognized by the world, is a warning to the fragile management of the national geological heritage.

"This warning from UNESCO is clear evidence of unpreparedness in maintaining high-trategic assets, including being the face of Indonesia's geological heritage management which is also beneficial for the Indonesian tourism sector," he continued.

As is known, Geopark Kaldera Toba received a warning or yellow card from UNESCO Global Geopark (UGGP) based on a hearing held in September 2023. The United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UN) found a weakness in the management of the earth park.

The yellow card was given the Kegeopark Kaldera Toba due to unfavorable management. Starting from the integration of stakeholders related to the management of Kaldera Toba, there is still less involvement of local communities in educational activities and sustainable tourism activities in the low-lying Kaldera Toba Geopark.

In addition, the UNESCO assessment team also sees that there is no standard for conveying information on every geological site. Even the supporting facilities available in the Kaldera Toba Geopark are also inadequate and undermaintained.

The management agency Toba Caldera UNESCO Global Geopark is also considered to be less actively participating in regional and international forums held by UNESCO.

In this regard, the UNESCO assessment team underlined the need for continuous research on geological sites, increased cooperation between related institutions, and increased education on geological, biological, and cultural aspects in the Geopark Kaldera Toba.

Based on the UNESCO assessment, Evita emphasized the importance of optimal cross-sectoral governance. He also asked for effective cooperation from related agencies.

Both regional and central managers must be able to sync. Including technical regulations are also strengthened. Without clear top-down coordination, any good program will be patchy," said Evita.

The leadership of the Commission in charge of tourism and industrial affairs also encouraged the management and relevant ministries/agencies to immediately improve matters that UNESCO noted. Moreover, Evita reminded that the deadline before the UNESCO assessor team re-evaluated the status of Geopark Kaldera Toba was only one month away.

Maximize the existing time by making improvements. This Yellow Card has actually been submitted since 2 years ago. There should have been improvements, no matter how small it is," he said.

Evita said the revocation of UNESCO's status for the Geopark Kaldera Toba could have an impact on the Indonesian tourism world which was also the backbone of the country's economy. Therefore, the management aspect in geoparks formed from this supervolcano eruption must be increased and strengthened.

"Geopark Kaldera Toba has extraordinary potential as a sustainable tourism destination, so its management must be strictly optimal and must comply with international standards set by UNESCO," Evita's message.

Evita also highlighted how the Geopark Kaldera Toba, known as Lake Toba, attracted more than 420,000 foreign tourist visits (tourists) in 2024.

Malaysian tourists dominated the visit, with more than 116,622 people. Singapore, China, and Australia are also significant foreign tourist home countries.

Geopark Lake Toba is an entry point for tourism in North Sumatra and its surroundings, meaning it is a tourist attraction that has a great contribution to the Indonesian economy, both for the central and regional levels," he explained.

Evita is worried that the revocation of UNESCO's status against the Kaldera Toba Geopark will have an impact on tourism in Indonesia, considering that Lake Toba is one of the super priority destinations that has succeeded in attracting many tourists.

"The status of this UNESCO is a special attraction for people to come. Not to mention that many international events are held in the Lake Toba area. If this is revoked, the impression of tourists and the world community towards Lake Toba will no longer be the same, especially foreign tourists," explained Evita.

"If tourists are reduced, the economic impact will also include the circulation of people's businesses around tourist attractions," he continued.

Evita also reminded Lake Toba that it has succeeded in attracting an investment of around USD 7.5 million during January to September 2024. This investment is in the form of infrastructure, amenities (facilities for tourists), and attractions to increase the competitiveness of this destination.

"So it must be properly maintained the status of this UNESCO. Do not let Lake Toba lose its very special world recognition status because it can affect the world of tourism and the national economy," said Evita.

On the other hand, Evita highlighted the budget allocation where the Lake Toba Geopark received a Special Allocation Fund of IDR 56.6 billion in 2024 to support infrastructure development and strengthening activities in this area.

"Of course, the budget is also supported by the DPR. So we ask for accountability from the management and the Government to ensure that the Kaldera Geopark or Lake Toba is still included in UNESCO's recognition," he said.

"Immediately catch up, and complete the obligations of UNESCO that must be fulfilled. This concerns the image of Indonesian tourism in the eyes of the world and the credibility of the state in efforts to carry out natural conservation," concluded Evita.