Banjarmasin, S Kalimatan (ANTARA) - Head of South Kalimantan Tourism Office M Syarifuddin said that Meratus Geopark is now ready to be assessed for the UNESCO Global Geopark (UGG) in 2024.
"We have done various things as recommended by General Secretary of the Global Geopark Network who had visited here," he said in Banjarmasin, Saturday.
General Secretary of the GGN Guy Martini visited South Kalimantan in October 2022 to review the preparedness of the Meratus Geopark to be designated as a UGG.
"The assessment will be 2024, we are optimistic to succeed," he said.
Related news: UNESCO team reviews Meratus Geopark for UGGp status
For this reason, Syarifuddin said, the provincial government continues to improve infrastructure and facilities to get the points of assessment.
These include directions as well as information about the Meratus Geopark sites.
"Also educating communities in the surrounding areas of Geopark sites, so they can preserve them," he said.
People knowledge about geopark is included in the points and the rating is quite high. That is why the office often carries out related outreach and training.
As is known, he said, the Meratus National Geopark, which is proposed for the word recognition, has 54 heritage sites spread across four winds, West, North, South, and East.
In Geology, Meratus Geopark was formed from structure of oceanic crust called ophiolite, which was uplifted surfacesince 200-150 million years ago.
Meratus Geopark depicts the natural beauty of South Kalimantan Province. Forests, mountains, and also streams, lakes and rocks that show the history of the earth.
In addition to nature and its contents, such as sparkling diamonds, it also contains culture and life of people around it.
"All are parts of South Kalimantan tourism," said Syarifuddin.
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