The Provincial Government of South Kalimantan will immediately register the Meratus Mountains Geopark to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as an effort to protect the natural resources from the destruction by irresponsible parties.


Governor Sahbirin Noor in Banjarmasin said on Monday that the South Kalimantan Provincial Government had registered the Meratus Mountains Geopark nationally, then it would be registered at the international level.

The development of the Meratus Mountains geopark, the Governor added, is proof that the government is serious about protecting the source of wealth in Meratus, its natural resources, tourism and culture.

"If it has become a geopark area, then Meratus may no longer be used for other businesses, except for efforts to preserve and protect nature, tourism and cultural development," said the Governor.

In addition to developing geopark, the Governor and his team continued to explore Meratus and several areas around the mountainous region, to see the potential and what needed by the community around Meratus.

"I have visited dozens of villages around the Meratus area to witness first hand the potential and conditions of the people in the area," he said.

Quite a lot of people live in remote areas of Meratus, they are far from each other. Their condition must get serious attention from the government, in education, health, welfare and others.

Head of the South Kalimantan Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Office Isharwanto said, he plans to register the Meratus geopark to Unesco in September or October 2019.

At present, his party is trying to implement improvements, including the establishment of institutions, the development of several geopark points and others, so that the proposal can be accepted.

Pewarta: Latif Thohir

Editor : Mahdani


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