NTB Governor: Conservation is the top priority in managing Rinjani Geopark

Rinjani is not merely a tourist destination. It is an identity, a source of life, and part of the world’s heritage. There must be no compromise on its preservation. Mataram (ANTARA) - The West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) Provincial Government has reaffirmed its commitment to placing conservation as the top priority in managing the Rinjani Geopark area located on Lombok Island. NTB Governor Lalu Muhamad Iqbal stated that Rinjani is a world heritage site that must be strictly protected due to its high ecological, geological, and cultural value. “Rinjani is not merely a tourist destination. It is an identity, a source of life, and part of the world’s heritage. There must be no compromise on its preservation,” said NTB Governor Iqbal in a statement in Mataram on Sunday. On 2 May 2026, the NTB Provincial Government will inaugurate the Rinjani Geopark Information Centre in Sembalun, East Lombok Regency. The facility serves as an integrated data and knowledge centre connecting aspects of geology, history, culture, and community life in the Rinjani area. Governor Iqbal explained that the direction of geopark management policy is not just to maintain its status in the UNESCO Global Geoparks network, but also to enhance management quality while prioritising conservation principles. He wants communities living around the Rinjani Geopark area to become increasingly prosperous while remaining within the framework of preserving nature. The NTB Provincial Government is preparing long-term strategies to strengthen Rinjani Geopark as a global learning centre, a sustainable destination, and a model for conservation-based area management that can provide economic benefits without losing its identity. The successful retention of the UNESCO Green Card for the second time for the 2026 to 2030 period indicates that NTB is able to maintain a balance between environmental protection and community economic development. The Rinjani Geopark Management Agency is directing the strengthening of the geopark to promote area-based economy through the development of tourist villages, international events, and empowerment of local SMEs. Rinjani Geopark General Manager Qwadru Putro Wicaksono stated that various flagship products, from weaving to traditional cuisine, are part of the geopark’s value chain that directly benefits the local population.