BRIN Finds 13 International Scale Geological Heritage Sites In Kebumen

Researcher from the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) in the Geopark area of Kebumen, Central Java. (ANTARA/HO-BRIN)

JAKARTA - The National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) found as many as 13 geological heritage sites or geosites of international value in the Geopark area of Kebumen, Central Java. The discovery will be submitted by the Indonesian National Committee for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) or the KNIU to qualify for the Kebumen Geopark to become a UNESCO Global Geopark. "BRIN has also carried out an inventory in the Kebumen area. The inventory found 13 geosites of international value, there are five geosites belonging to BRIN that have international value," said BRIN Geological Resources Research Center researcher Chusni Ansori in a statement in Jakarta, Antara, Thursday, August 1. Chusni explained that a number of geosites included Lava Pillow - Watu Kelir in Seboro, Rijang and Red Village in Wagirsambeng, Joint Joint Gunung Parang, and Gamping Stone Numulites in Jati wrapping and Karangsambung. To be designated as a UNESCO Global Geopark, he said, a geopark must have several pillars, namely research and education, conservation, and sustainable economic development. "BRIN is very relevant to supporting Geopark Kebumen to become UNESCO Global Geopark, because it is related to the duties and functions of research and education. In the National Action Plan for Geopark Development, BRIN is also in the pillars of research and education with the Ministry of Education and Culture," he said. Chusni added that his party also helped manage the geological nature reserve area in Karangsambung in the northern part of Geopark Kebumen. According to him, BRIN has a long research history related to the Karangsambung area, Kebumen, and its surroundings which can support Geopark Kebumen to become UNESCO Global Geopark. Research conducted by BRIN, he continued, is research related to culture with geological parameters, geological diversity, geomorphosite assessments, assessments of sites, geological structures, and most recently geopark benefits related to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). "From the many international publication data that BRIN does, it can strengthen the international value of Geopark. BRIN's team also participates in formulating Dossiers, themes, and geopark work areas of Kebumen as research and education Geoparks," he said.

To note, this year a number of UNESCO assessors have reviewed the Geopark Kebumen to assess the suitability between proposals submitted and field conditions and assess the citizenship of a geosite. So far, about 60 percent of the research conducted at the location has succeeded in penetrating international publications. The results of this research affect the value of the state of a geosite.