Batusangkar, W Sumatra (ANTARA) - The government of Tanah Datar district, West Sumatra has proposed the establishment of nine geosites at Singkarak Lake Geopark to the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry.
"The nine geosites have been surveyed by the ministry," head of the Tourism, Youth, and Sports Office of Tanah Datar district, Abdul Hakim, said in Batusangkar on Wednesday.
The nine sites are the polimic breccia formation behind Istano Basa Pagaruyung, Aua Sarumpun Hill, Singkarak Lake ancient sediments, Singkarak alluvial fan complex, limestone windows formation at Kuantan Singkarak, as well as Sopan Kijang Cave at Pangian village, he informed.
Currently, the governments of Tanah Datar and four other districts and cities in West Sumatra are waiting for the Tourism and Creative Economy Ministry to inaugurate the sites after they were recommended by the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry, he said.
"The park will be registered as part of the Ranah Minang National Geopark. Later, the West Sumatra provincial government will propose the national geopark be included in UNESCO Global Geopark Network," Hakim added.
The regional office will also establish a discussion forum to publicize the geoparks' development to the people around the sites, he said.
"The information center will aim to educate the public about the formation of Lake Singkarak, evidence supporting the formation, as well as maintaining the flora and fauna around the lake," he added.
Head of Tanah Datar district, Eka Putra, said that he was interested in developing the geopark because of its natural beauty and historical values.
"Besides being globally popular, we can also get various benefits from the geopark as it will also improve the economic aspect of the community," he added.
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