Natuna Geopark Nominated as a UNESCO Global Geopark Candidate: Here are its Advantages
Good news comes from Indonesian tourism. The geopark or earth park in Natuna Regency, Riau Islands Province, has become a candidate for an aspiring UNESCO Global Geopark (UGGp).
Quoted by Kompas.com from Antara on Sunday (17/5/2026), the Secretary II of the National Geopark Management Agency (BPGN), Ryannaldo, said that the Natuna Geopark had previously been recognized nationally and is now being proposed to receive international recognition from UNESCO.
“This year, there are two geoparks that are candidates, namely Natuna and Tambora,” he said.
Ryannaldo explained that 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 the ministry through a Zoom meeting.
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 recognized by UNESCO.
A number of suggestions given include strengthening the main theme of the geopark, improving thematic maps, increasing publication of typical Natuna geogastronomy, strengthening networks and partnerships, and implementing education and environmental preservation programs for geotourism sites.
According to Ryannaldo, currently the Natuna Geopark has passed the administrative stage and is now entering the Aspiring UGGp stage or the stage towards UNESCO recognition.
After passing the aspiring stage, the next process is an assessment by UNESCO which will be followed by evaluation and a presentation in front of assessors.
If the Natuna geopark succeeds in obtaining UNESCO recognition, there are various benefits that can be obtained, such as increasing visits from world tourists, strong economic growth, and improving the image of the region.
The potential natural resources of this island are known for oil and gas. It is mentioned that Natuna’s oil reserves are estimated at 14,386,470 barrels and natural gas at 112,356,680 barrels.
One of them is the D-Alpha gas field located 225 km north of Natuna Island with total reserves of 222 trillion cubic feet (TCT).
There is also hydrocarbon gas that can be obtained as much as 46 TCT which is one of the largest sources in Asia.
Meanwhile, in the fields of agriculture and plantations, Natuna is rich in tubers, coconuts, rubber, oil palm and cloves.
Not only rich in various natural resources, tourist attractions on Natuna Island are also abundant and can be the best destination for tourists on vacation.
Starting from beaches, underwater islands, mountains, waterfalls, caves and local culture.