UNESCO Evaluator Suggests Merangin Geopark's Ancient Potential Be Turned into Picture Stories for Children
During a revalidation visit on Tuesday (11 August), the UNESCO Global Geopark evaluation team was amazed by the geological wealth of the Merangin Geopark area in Air Batu Village, Renah Pembarap District, Merangin Regency.
As a result of that amazement, one of the two evaluators, Yongmun Jeon from South Korea, suggested that the regional government, particularly the Merangin Regency Government, preserve the diverse natural heritage dating back hundreds of millions of years through creative and interactive education for the younger generation in Jambi, such as in the form of illustrated storybooks for children.
While carrying out the revalidation assessment, Yongmun Jeon was accompanied by UNESCO evaluator Nicolas Klee from France. Throughout Tuesday, the two of them traced the flow of the Merangin River.
Along the river route, both were presented with ancient traces dating back hundreds of millions of years. These ranged from fossilised tree trunks (Araucarioxylon) and ancient fern fossils (Pecopteris) embedded upright in the river cliffs due to ancient volcanic eruptions, to marine fauna fossils such as shells, brachiopods and crinoids in the Mengkarang Formation.
Yongmun Jeon assessed that the Merangin earth site has outstanding world heritage value. However, he regretted the lack of educational information that is friendly to young people and lay visitors.
“This natural wealth must be preserved properly. Unfortunately, there is not much information available,” said Yongmun Jeon through a translator from the Jambi Province Language Centre, Lukman.
He encouraged the regional government to package the geological history into language that is easier for children to digest. “The government could create illustrated storybooks for children with easy-to-understand language. So, when children visit, the book can serve as a learning medium while also stimulating interest in reading. Children and the general public would then understand how this geological wealth was formed,” he explained.
In line with Yongmun, Nicolas Klee stressed that the potential of Merangin Geopark should not merely stop at being a scenic tourist attraction. Instead, it should be elevated into a science laboratory. “This geological wealth is an extraordinary source of scientific knowledge.
Unfortunately, not many members of the general public are aware of it. Most visit only for the natural beauty, not for its geological historical value. The Merangin Regency Government must take educational steps for the wider community,” Nicolas stated.