NTB inaugurates Rinjani Geopark Information Centre

East Lombok, NTB (ANTARA) - The West Nusa Tenggara provincial government has inaugurated the Rinjani Geopark Information Centre as part of efforts to develop sustainable tourism in the area. The inauguration was attended by NTB Governor Lalu Muhamad Iqbal, officials from the Forkopimda of East Lombok Regency, and relevant stakeholders on Saturday evening. Rinjani Geopark General Manager Quadro Wicaksono stated that the construction of the Rinjani Geopark Information Centre is the result of a long journey that began in 2025. Rinjani Geopark has successfully obtained a green card from UNESCO for the next four years as a result of a well-conducted revalidation process. “We have followed up and quickly resolved all notes from the UNESCO assessors. The presence of this information centre is not only as an educational facility but also as a home for inspiration for collaboration among various parties,” he said in a written statement received on Saturday evening. He emphasised the importance of cross-sector collaboration to ensure that Rinjani Geopark provides broad benefits to the people of Lombok Island. Future development will no longer focus on the quantity of tourist visits, but rather on the quality of visits to deliver world-class, sustainable, and equitable tourism. One of the strategic programmes highlighted is the conservation of the Rinjani ring area through coffee planting. This programme plans to plant around 780,000 coffee seedlings, with hopes that the results can be felt in the coming years. “In addition, this step is also part of efforts to revive the glory of Sembalun coffee, which has long been known,” he said. East Lombok Regency Secretary HM Juaini Taofik stated that the “prosperous world-class” concept does not always have to be realised through new things, but also by optimising existing potentials. “The most important thing is how we add value to the potentials we have, so as to provide economic benefits and welfare for the community,” he expressed. Meanwhile, NTB Governor Lalu Muhamad Iqbal appreciated the completion of the information centre’s construction. He emphasised that in the future, this centre is expected to become a hub for collecting and disseminating beneficial data and information. “From this simple place, we plant big dreams for the future. But the most important thing is to preserve Mount Rinjani, because its value is far more important than any economic benefit,” he stressed. He also invited all parties to continue maintaining the spirit of collaboration and opening up space for innovation for the sustainable development of Rinjani Geopark. The inauguration of the Rinjani Geopark Information Centre is expected to become a new milestone in the management of conservation- and education-based areas, while supporting Lombok’s position as a world-class sustainable tourism destination. “In addition, this momentum also strengthens Rinjani’s image as a flagship tourism icon that can provide broad benefits to the community,” he said.