President: Geological Wealth Should Not Be Destroyed And Overexploited

President Jokowi/PHOTO VIA ANTARA

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) reminded that Indonesia's geological, biological and cultural wealth and diversity should not be damaged and overexploited.

Therefore, all parties must be responsible for the sustainability of the ecosystem so that the wealth and diversity possessed can continue to be the pride of the nation and state.

“The geopark area is a place to learn about national and world heritage, learn about geological diversity, learn about biodiversity, and cultural diversity. We must protect and protect all the diversity and wealth that we have, not destroyed and not over-exploited," President Jokowi said at the virtual Indonesia II Geopark National Conference, quoted by Antara, Monday, November 22.

Geopark or geological park/earth park is an area that has prominent geological elements. According to the President, Geoparks can be a place of learning for the public to get to know, and then preserve the wealth and diversity of Indonesia.

Indonesia, said the President, as a country located in the ring of fire, has various geoparks such as the Batur Geopark which is the first geopark designated as UNESCO Global Geoparks, then the Gunung Sewu Geopark, Ciletuh Geopark, Mount Rinjani Geopark, Lake Toba Geopark, and so on.

The President asked the geopark area and other natural resources owned by Indonesia to always be protected. One of the efforts is to do area conservation.

"Protecting that geological elements that are still intact are not immediately damaged, preserving geological heritage, geoheritage, and the values in it such as archaeological, ecological, historical and cultural values so that they can continue to be passed on to future generations," he said.

The President said that geoparks can also be developed into attractive geotourism sites, where tourists not only enjoy natural beauty but can also be involved in environmental conservation.

"I see that the geopark fits the current tourism trend during the pandemic, which prioritizes ecotourism and wellness tourism," said the President.

Each geopark is considered to have its own uniqueness that needs to be addressed, apart from the regional geology, volcanic, endemic flora and fauna, as well as the culture of the people in the Geopark area.

"The thing that needs to be strengthened is the story (story), the narrative in each geopark, the story about the ancient mountain, its eruption in the past and also the journey of civilization around the geopark," he said.

President Jokowi emphasized that the main key that determines the success of Geopark development is governance which must continue to be improved so that it gets better. Geopark governance must involve geopark activists, academics and the surrounding community.

“Generate innovative ideas, make concrete breakthroughs that balance conservation with the economy. I hope that all elements of the nation will move to become part of the geopark conservation movement while strengthening efforts for the surrounding community to take part in environmental conservation and develop tourism potential," said Jokowi.