UGM Proposes Dieng Plateau To Be A National Earth Park

Conditions for the installation of the geothermal drilling well PT Geo Dipa Energi after the pipe explosion occurred in the Dieng highlands, Karang Tengah Village, Batur, Banjarnegara, Central Java/DOK ANTARA

YOGYAKARTA - Gadjah Mada University (UGM) together with PT Geo Dipa Energi (GDE), and the Central Java Provincial Government (Central Java) proposed the Dieng Plateau Area in Central Java to be a Geopark or National Earth Park. "I think the importance of geological science to transform legends about geothermal in Dieng is a scientific explanation," said Geological Engineering Lecturer, UGM Technical Faculty Pri Utami in a statement in Yogyakarta, Antara, Monday, September 9. According to him, the proposal had preceded the discussion activities of the most popular group (FGD) between the central government, local governments, tourism industry players, geothermal industry players, academics, and community leaders of Dieng, Central Java on September 3, 2024. Pri said that in Dieng visitors can learn about the ongoing process of the earth very clearly, namely the hydrothermal process. In addition to producing unique views, hydrothermal processes also form renewable energy sources. According to him, before geothermal science and technology developed, the ancestors in Dieng had packed environmental conservation values in the region. Geological Engineering Student, Faculty of Engineering, UGM, made a field visit to the Dieng Geothermal Working Area on Saturday (7/9), to study the geological conditions of the only geothermal field that has been operating in Central Java. "Students also see opportunities for efficiency in the use of geothermal energy, and the need for land use improvement in geothermal areas which have also become tourist destinations and food crop plantations," said the UGM geothermal expert. General Manager of PT GDE Unit Dieng Herdian Ardi Febrianto said that the existence of geothermal energy in Dieng which has been used as a source of electrical energy is a distinct advantage in the elements of proposing Geopark or National Earth Park. Because, according to him, the area can be a means of learning so as to open insights into environmental conservation through the use of clean and renewable energy. According to him, collaboration between scientific fields is needed in running a geothermal industry. Despite the emergence of artificial intelligence technology, according to him, the younger generation must still be able to master and develop knowledge in natural resource management, including geothermal so that it is in line with human values.

"We invite UGM Geological Engineering students to participate in researching geothermal areas in Dieng, which have not all been developed," he said again.