Gunung Kidul,
Yogyakarta (Antara Bali) - A team of the United Nations Educational,
Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has started to verify
feasibility of Gunungsewu sites located in Yogyakarta, Central Java and
East Java, to be included in the Global Geopark Network (GGN).
Gunung Kidul Districts Secretary Budi Martana said here that the
team led by Cristine Rangnes arrived at Gunung Kidul Tourism and Culture
Department on Friday (July 4) and the verification was scheduled to be
completed on July 8.
The verification had been started from Pacitan (East Java) to
Wonogiri (Central Java) and would end in Gunung Kidul (Yogyakarta).
"For the verification in Pacitan next week, Gunung Kidul District Head Badingah will go with the team," said Budi.
During the visit in Gunung Kidul, the verification team will assess
geological sites, including Pindul Cave, Wedi Ombo Beach, Nglanggeran
Ancient Volcano, and Bobung Tourism Village.
"All the locations are ready to be visited, as we had prepared to
pass the UNESCOs verification without any exception," said Budi.
Regarding the preparation, Budi said the government had conducted simultaneous tourism trainings for the locals.
"We also held a study-tour to Mount Batur sites in Bali for a comparative study," he added.
Besides Gunungsewu, Indonesia also proposed Merangin sites in Jambi Province to be included in the GGN.
"Each of the sites has its own specifications. Hence, we are optimistic they will pass the verification," said Budi.
The Gunungsewu sites, literally means thousand mountains, has 119
caves below of about 40,000 karst (limestone) cone hills in 13,000
square kilometer area.
The GGN was established in February 2004, after a decision by the
committee of international experts on geological heritage convened at
UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, by the invitation of the UNESCO Division
of Earth Sciences, 17 members of the European Geoparks Network and 8
Chinese Geoparks.
Under the umbrella of UNESCO, GGN provides a platform for
cooperation and exchange between experts and practitioners in geological
heritage, and its promotion.
In 2014, the GGN was made up of 100 Geoparks from 30 countries in three continents.
(WDY)
UNESCO Starts Global Geopark Network`s Verification on Gunungsewu Sites
Senin, 7 Juli 2014 13:52 WIB