Islands proposed as heritage sites

Islands proposed as heritage sites

JAKARTA: The Kakaban and Derawan Islands in Berau district,
East Kalimantan, are being proposed as a world heritage site due
to their uniqueness, Kehati Foundation chairwoman Erna Witoelar
said.

"We are trying to win the status for the islands together with
the government and the local people. Pak Rokhmin Dahuri
(fisheries and marine resources minister) has agreed to the
initiative," she said on Friday.

Meanwhile, Emil Salim, co-founder of the foundation, said the
Kakaban and Derawan islands were unique in their marine
biodiversity and formed by the earth's tectonic forces.

Erna said, beside the islands, Tensenilo forest in Riau would
also be proposed as a world heritage site for its myriad of
animal and plant species.

Of the six world heritage sites located in Indonesia, three
are nature reserves, namely Ujung Kulon in Banten, West Java,
Komodo Island in East Nusa Tenggara and the Lorentz Mountain
Range in Papua.

The other three are cultural heritage sites, including the
Borobudur Temple in the Central Java regency of Magelang.

A researcher with the development and environmental program of
UNESCO, Jan H. Steven, said each country was allowed to propose a
location to the UN body to be recognized as a world heritage
site.

The proposal must come from people living near the site, he
added. -- Antara