Banjarbaru, S Kalimantan (Antaranews Kalsel) - The Government of South Kalimantan seeks to develop 36 geopark points in the Meratus Mountains which cover 10 districts in this resource-rich province.


Head of the South Kalimantan Energy and Mineral Resources Agency Isharwanto in Banjarbaru, Thursday, said the status of Meratus Mountains to be a national geopark will be followed by development measures by the provincial government.

Geopark is an area that has geological elements and invites the community to play a role to protect and improve the function of natural heritage, including the archeological, ecological and cultural values in it.

According to Isharwanto, the status of the Meratus Mountains as a national geopark is expected to change the paradigm of the community to guard and preserve the biodiversity in it. "The existence of a geopark will make people who used to cut down trees in the forest have to protect them," he said.

"Save Meratus is a warm conversation, especially among activists and environmentalists. The Geopark is the governor's concrete effort to support the people's aspirations," he said.
 
Isharwanto said, if the geopark is not developed within the next 4 years, the status can be revoked. "So we continue to move to develop the potential of Meratus National Geopark," he said.

On February 24, 2019, the South Kalimantan Government will declare Geopark Meratus in Kiram Park, Banjar District, which will be attended by thousands of people, he said.

Pewarta: Latif Thohir

Editor : Mahdani


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