Natuna Geopark becomes a candidate for Aspiring UNESCO
Natuna (ANTARA) - The geopark, or earth park, in Natuna Regency, Riau Islands Province, has become a candidate for Aspiring UNESCO Global Geopark (UGGp).
The Secretary II of the National Geopark Management Agency (BPGN) Natuna, Ryannaldo, confirmed from Natuna on Friday that the Natuna Geopark had previously been recognised nationally and is now being proposed to obtain international recognition from UNESCO.
According to him, the Natuna Geopark has passed the administrative stage and is now entering the Aspiring UGGp stage, which is the stage towards official UNESCO recognition.
“This year, there are two geoparks that are candidates, namely Natuna and Tambora,” he said.
He explained that on Wednesday (13/5), the Natuna Geopark team had presented various advantages of the area, development plans, and challenges faced by the region to the Indonesian UGGp assessment team, the national expert council, and related ministries through an online meeting.
“Through Zoom, we presented the potential of the Natuna Geopark along with its development strategy,” he said.
From the results of the presentation, the assessment team and the expert council provided several inputs to strengthen the material for the Natuna Geopark proposal to be recognised by UNESCO.
Some of the suggestions given include strengthening the main theme of the geopark, improving the thematic map, increasing the publication of Natuna’s distinctive geogastronomy, strengthening networks and partnerships, and maintaining consistency in education and environmental preservation programmes in the geosite area.
Ryannaldo added that after passing the aspiring stage, the next process is to submit an assessment to UNESCO, which will be followed by an evaluation and presentation in front of UNESCO assessors.
He explained that if recognised by UNESCO, the Natuna geopark will be better known worldwide. This will increase tourist visits, economic growth, strengthen preservation, and improve the image of the region.
“After this stage, the process will continue to the UNESCO assessment,” he said.