ESDM sets 67 geopark points in Meratus Mountains

River in the village of Nateh, HST, and nature around the Meratus Mountains is so beautiful (Antaranews Kalsel/M Taufik Rakhman)

If Meratus has been designated as a geopark, automatically, any party, including the central and local governments, may not issue business activity permits in the area,

Banjarbaru, S Kalimantan (ANTARA) - The South Kalimantan Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Agency has set 67 geopark points in the Meratus Mountains as an effort to protect natural resources from destruction by irresponsible parties.

The head of the agency Isharwanto here on Tuesday said he previously had only determined 36 Geopark points. However, after the team was established and traced the natural resources those were worthy of being an earth park to various regions of South Kalimantan, the points then developed into 67 as natural tourist sites.

"However, the three points currently being focused are on the Kahung Valley, Matan Keladan and the Public Forest Park (Tahura)," he said.

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

According to Ishar, the development of the geopark, as one way to protect Meratus from undesirable things.

"If Meratus has been designated as a geopark, automatically, any party, including the central and local governments, may not issue business activity permits in the area," he said.