In fact, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) had recognized Meratus Geopark as geological heritage, member of UNESCO Global Geopark (UGGp).
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The charter of recognition as the UGGp was officially received by the Governor of South Kalimantan H Muhidin accompanie by Indonesian Ambassador to France Mohamad Oemar in Paris, France, Monday (June 2, 2025).
Meratus Geopark, which covers an area of 3,645.01 km2 comprises 54 sites spread across four routes: West, North, East, and South, had been designated as National Geopark in 2018.
These routes explain the origin of the formation of Meratus Mountains, marking various sites that remain visible to the naked eye.
One such landmark is the rock cliff in Tiwingan Baru Village, Aranio Sub-district, Banjar District, located in Riam Kanan Dam.
The rock cliff on the northern route of Meratus Geopark is named the Underwater Ancient Volcano. It is the 31st site of the geopark that is carefully protected and preserved as a valuable natural heritage.
Don't imagine the site as towering volcano in Java. It's simply a hill with a vast expanse of rock on its sides. The term "volcano" refers the geological history of the rock formation.
Ali Mustofa, a geologist with the Meratus Geopark Management Agency (BPGM), said the rock's appearance cannot be separated from the formation of Meratus Mountains.
The Meratus Mountains were formed due to the impact of an ophiolite, a type of crustal impact beneath the ocean, which rose to the surface 200-150 million years ago.
This impact of the earth's crust produced volcanic eruptions or hot magma, which eventually solidified into rock, a process that took a very long time to surface.
The appearance of rocks in Tiwingan Baru Village, also known as Bukit Batas, as a result of this impact has been studied by geologists and scientifically proven to be ancient.
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Nur Arif Nugroho, also a geologist at BPGM, expounded that the ancient rocks are called braccias in geology.
The elongated cliffs seen in Tiwingan Baru Village are called Paau formation in metrology.
"These rocks are very interesting to study further," he said.
These rocks are rare elsewhere. Their historical value makes the Meratus Mountains special.
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Fertile land
The presence of rocks from the Ancient Undersea Volvano does not make the surrounding land barrent, instead it makes the land fertile.
People living in Tiwingan Baru many of them even cultivate gardens on the rocky hillside, growing both vegetables and fruit.
Head of Tiwingan Baru Village Rudiansyah said the area designated as the Ancient Undersea Volcano site is fertile, despite its numerous rocky outcrops and mounds.
Villagers already aware of several Geopark Meratus sites in their area, not only the Ancient Undersea Volcano but also Pulau Pinus (Pine Island).
They maintain the preservation of these sites, as they do not hinder their gardening, farming dan livestock raising.
Numerous fruit, such as durian, manggo, cempedak (small jackfruit) and others can be seen in Tiwingan Baru Village. The trees grow large, even among the rocks.
People houses are commonly stilt houses are actually built around large rocks, as if they cannot be moved.
"The rock if we hit with a hammer it only breaks the skin, cannot be split, very hard like iron rock," said Rudiansyah.
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The rocks add to uniqueness of his village, which also has tourist attraction, Pulau Pinus and Bukit Batas, which if you look from the top you will see the South Kalimantan's Raja Lima, as five islands stetch out below.
The designation of Meratus Geopark sites in his village, he hopes, will have a significant impact on improving the economy of community, as well as environmental sustainability.
He assured his community of their commitment to preserving the sites by not damaging the surrounding environment.
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Caring
Meratus Mountains are now truly important in Borneo, as it is the only on the island designated as global geopark.
Now it is the responsible of the provincial and district/city government to maintaining the geopark sites in their jurisdiction so they remain sustainable and beneficial to the people.
H Nurul Fajar Desira Ces, the Governor's Expert Team who alse serves as Deputy Chair of the Meratus Geopark Management Agency, said preserving and maintaining Meratus is now everyone's responsibility, not only the government.
However, he assured, the government of Governor H Muhidin and Deputy Governor H Hasnuryadi Sulaiman HB is very serious and committed to maintaining the Meratus Geopark status well.
The geopark status elevates South Kalimantan's reputation to the world as reflecting the theme "the Heart of Borneo". It unique and rich natural resources are so special and have a high historical value to the world.
Geopark is not only about conservation, but it encompasses education, social and economic aspects.
Geopark is not only about natural beauty and unique rocks, flora and fauna, but it also encompasses communities living with their own cultures and giving numerous economic benefits, including natural resources and tourism industry.
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Tourism industry is of course environmentally friendly. Geopark offers culinary tourism, such as dodol making in Hulu Sungai Selatan District.
Sasirangan cloth, a traditional South Kalimantan batik craft, also draws its spirit from the geopark's natural surroundings. There is also Banjar typical boat-making on Sewangi Island, Barito Kuala District.
Fajar said the provincial and the district/city government synergize to continuously improve all the geopark sites and their infrastructure.
Geopark status will be evaluated every four years by UNESCO, and no one wants to lose that status due to neglegence in preserving the Meratus natural environment.
"The bottom line is this earth is not an inheritance from our ancertors, but a loan from our grandchildren. We must be able to return it intact in the future," said Fajar.
Meratus Geopark Sites
The Meratus Geopark has 54 sites divided into four routes: West, North, East, and South. The approximately 85-kilometer-long West Route features the Lok Baintan Floating Market in Banjar Disrisct.
Here, you'll find the Wasaka Museum, Sasiringan Traditional Village, Sasirangan Floating Gallery, Banjar Traditional Houses, Kembang Island, Sewangi Traditional Boat-making, Coal Barge Views, and the Curiak Proboscis Monkey Conservation Center.
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The North route, which is approximately 188.15 km long has 14 sites, with the theme "Following Sound of Wind to Wonders of Dayak Meratus", meaning follow the wind's sway.
Sites on this route include the Sei Kambang Seki Stone, Matang Kaladan Panoramic, Riam Kanan Dam, Tiwingan Hill Landslide Trail, Riam Kanan Lake Fishery, Stilt Houses on Tebing Danau, and Ulin Island.
The Ancient Underwater Volcano, Bekantan Island, Pulau Pinus or Pine Island, Sirang Island Archaeological Site, Ba'ah or Flood Silent Witness Tree, Belangian Village, Kahung Tropical Rainforest, Sunken Sacred Tomb, Submerged Settlements, and Diamond-Bearing Sandstone.
The Southern Route, meanwhile, is approximately 67.44 km long and features 14 sites. The theme is "The Sparkling Journey from Tropical Rainforest to Diamonds," meaning "The Tropical Forest Gives Life to Meratus."
Sites on this route include the Tropical Rainforest Park, Traditional Purun Production, Herb and Traditional Medicine Village, Lambung Mangkurat Museum, Geopark Information Center, Orchid Conservation Park, and 16 Endemic Animal Habituation Sites.
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Editor : Taufik Ridwan
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