MORE INDONESIAN GEOPARKS VIE FOR PLACE ON UGGP LIST By Fardah

Jakarta, 16/12 /2021 (ANTARA) - Indonesia is the worlds largest archipelagic nation with some 17 thousand islands scattered between the Pacific and Indian oceans.

So far, six Indonesian geoparks have been put on the UNESCO Global Geopark (UGGp) list of 169 geoparks from 44 countries.

To get on the UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) list, a geopark does not only need to be an area of unique geological interest, but a place where visitors can discover extraordinary landscapes, places, and people.

UNESCO carefully selects the sites because geoparks represent geological, cultural, natural, and intangible heritage, which is protected, preserved, and developed sustainably by involving the local population.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, UNESCOs Global Geopark Network (GGN) has launched a 'Territories of resilience' initiative on April 2,1 2021, to support the population of geoparks.

According to the GGN, a resilient territory does not only try to respond to disruption and crisis by making efforts to bring the system back into balance, but also attempts to develop solutions that bring a system in a new state that is capable of dealing with present and future challenges.

A geopark is not just a geological park, Guy Martini, president of the UNESCO Global Geoparks Council, once said.

The presence of geoparks helps preserve nature and culture and improve the economy as well as contribute to the prosperity of local communities, he explained.

Indonesia sees huge potential in developing geoparks in order to support nature and cultural conservation efforts, develop the creative economy, and promote the tourism industry.

Currently, Indonesia has 13 national geoparks, with 6 included on the UGGp list.

The country has at least 110 regions that can potentially be developed into geoparks, according to officials.

To demonstrate the nations seriousness in developing its geoparks, the government established a National Committee of Indonesian Geoparks (KNGI) in 2018.

It is currently making preparations to propose at least 12 more geoparks for the UGGp list, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, while informed at the Indonesian Geopark Summit on November 22, 2021.

This ambition has been outlined in the 20202024 national medium-term development plan, he added.

The 12 geoparks include Ijen in Banyuwangi in East Java province, Maros-Pangkep in South Sulawesi, Raja Ampat in West Papua, Meratos in South Kalimantan, Silokek Sijunjung in West Sumatra, and Merangin in Jambi, he informed.

KNGI said it has been making preparations for getting on the UGGp list by involving the local people, particularly the younger generation, to raise awareness about the preservation of geoparks and derive economic benefits from them.

Speaking at the geopark summit, President Joko Widodo described a geopark as a place to learn and preserve the wealth and biodiversity of Indonesia.

BALANCING INFRASTRUCTURE PUSH WITH CONSERVATION IN LABUAN BAJO by Fardah

Jakarta, 22/11, 2020 (ANTARA) - Infrastructure and facilities are being installed in Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai district, East Nusa Tenggara, as part of efforts to turn it into a super premium destination that will host world leaders besides the well-heeled.

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi), who visited Labuan Bajo in January and October this year, has designated it as one of the 10 top priority tourist destinations, tagged Beyond Bali, along with Borobudur in Central Java, Lake Toba in North Sumatra, and Mandalika in West Nusa Tenggara.

Indonesia is scheduled to take over the presidency of the G20 and the chairmanship of ASEAN, and the government is intent on preparing Labuan Bajo as the venue for the G20 Summit and the ASEAN Summit in 2023.

Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Wishnutama Kusubandio has urged hotels and restaurants in Labuan Bajo to implement health protocols based on Cleanliness, Health, Safety, and Environmental Sustainability (CHSE) standards.

The CHSE certification is crucial for the tourism industry, particularly hotels and restaurants, to reclaim tourist confidence.

"This is aimed at offering a sense of security and comfort to tourists when they visit a destination that applies the health protocols. This certification has been aligned with world tourism organizations, such as the UNWTO and CTTI, as well as the Health Ministry," Kusubandio explained.

With construction in progress, the Komodo National Park has temporarily shut down the Loh Buaya tourist resort, which is situated within the Komodo National Park. The area has facilities for tourists, including cottages, a cafeteria, a shelter, and trails, and has become a popular location to observe wildlife.

It was deemed necessary to temporarily close Loh Buaya to enable the process of rearrangement of the natural tourism facilities and infrastructure on the island, a task that has been entrusted to the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing, head of the Komodo National Park, Lukita Awang Nistyantara, explained on November 15, 2020.

Furthermore, the tourist resort has been temporarily closed from October 26, 2020 to June 30, 2021 for improving services and ensuring the safety of tourists, Nistyantara remarked.

'HIDDEN PARADISE' SETS SIGHTS ON WELL-HEELED TRAVELERS by Fardah

 

Jakarta, 24/10, 2020 (ANTARA) - If all goes according to plan, Indonesias hidden paradise Labuan Bajo will soon be transformed into a super premium tourist destination that will host world leaders besides the well-heeled.

Located in West Manggara district, East Nusa Tenggara province, which is considered as one of the least developed regions in eastern Indonesia, Labuan Bajo is blessed with stunning beaches of white and even pink sand, crystal clear waters, mountains, intact forested isles and valleys, with traditional villages at the center.

 

The tourist site has another appeal: it serves as a gateway to the Komodo National Park, home to the worlds only surviving giant lizard, the Komodo Dragon. The park is recognized as one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

 

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi), who visited Labuan Bajo twice this year in January and October, has designated it as one of the 10 top priority tourist destinations, dubbed as Beyond Bali, along with Borobudur in Central Java, Lake Toba in North Sumatra, and Mandalika in West Nusa Tenggara.

 

Furthermore, the government is determined to develop Labuan Bajo as a super premium tourist attraction. Keen to showcase Labuan Baju to world leaders, President Jokowi is planning to host ASEAN and G20 Summits at the site in 2023.

 

More importantly, we also want to prepare Labuan Bajo [to host] the G20 [Summit] in 2023 and the ASEAN Summit in 2023, he said, noting that in 2023, Indonesia is scheduled to hold the presidency of the G20 and the chairmanship of ASEAN.

 

The Indonesia Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) has been tasked with developing infrastructure and facilities in Tana Mori and Tana Naga isles in Labuan Bajo, in cooperation with PT PP (Persero) Tbk.

 

"We plan to make Tana Mori a high-end resort in Labuan Bajo akin to Bali's Nusa Dua," development director of state-owned ITDC, Edwin Darmasetiawan, stated recently.

KOMODO NATIONAL PARK, LABUAN BAJO REOPEN TO DOMESTIC TOURISTS, EXPATS by Fardah

 

Jakarta, 25/8/2020 (ANTARA) - After remaining closed for nearly six months owing to the coronavirus pandemic, the Komodo National Park (TNK) and Labuan Bajo have reopened to domestic tourists and expatriates living in Indonesia, albeit under several restrictions.

No more than 25 tourists are being allowed to visit each destination per day, with the observance of health protocols. Tourists are also being asked to furnish COVID-19 rapid test results showing that they are not infected with the virus.

In addition, the East Nusa Tenggara authorities are asking visitors to register online for entry tickets to Labuan Bajo through the website https://booking.labuanbajoflores.id/.

Tourists planning a trip to the Komodo National Park are being requested to use the services of certified local tour agents, who can be contacted through https://booking.labuanbajoflores.id/export/list-ta-to, according to Muhammad Iqbal, spokesperson for the Komodo National Park office.

Furthermore, the government has designated Komodo Island as a premium tourist destination, with visitors thronging the place to enjoy rare sightings of Komodo dragons in the wild.

The number of tourists visiting the Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis) habitat will be limited to 50 thousand annually, according to the authorities.

"Komodo Island has been prepared specifically as a conservation island, and we will limit entry to no more than 50 thousand visitors a year," East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) Governor Viktor Bungtilu Laiskodat stated recently.

The NTT government has decided on the policy after the central government agreed to grant the province the status for co-management of the Komodo National Park in West Manggarai district along with the Environmental Affairs and Forestry Ministry.

Indonesia seeks inscription of more geoparks on UGGp List by Fardah

Jakarta,  Oct 17, 2019 (Antara) - Of Indonesia's 15 national geoparks, Batur in Bali, Ciletuh-Pelabuhanratu in West Java, Gunung Sewu in Yogyakarta, and Rinjani in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), have been included on the List of UNESCO Global Geoparks (UGGp).
No less than 110 Indonesian regions can potentially be developed into geoparks. However, the figure is yet small in comparison with China that has 220 national geoparks, of which 39 have been included on the UGGp List.
However, Indonesia should take pride in the fact that it has become the only country to have issued a presidential regulation on geopark development, notably the Presidential Regulation (Perpres) No. 9 of 2019 on National Geopark management, institution, and budget.
While hosting the Sixth Asia Pacific Geoparks Network (APGN) Symposium in Geopark Rinjani, Lombok, NTB, from Aug 30 to Sept 6, 2019, Indonesia had discussed its proposals on inscription of two more geoparks on the UGGp List.
"We have proposed the names of the two national geoparks of Belitung and Toba to be discussed for inclusion into the UNESCO global geoparks list during the APGN meeting in Lombok," Anton Setyo Nugroho, head of the Maritime Innovation Network Department of the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Office, concurrently secretary of the Indonesian National Geoparks Committee, stated recently.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) will reach a decision on whether to accept Indonesia's proposals during the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network (UGGN) meeting to be held in Paris, France, in April 2020.
Over 600 people, including scientists from France, Greece, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, and China, participated in the symposium themed “UNESCO Global Geoparks Toward Sustaining Local Communities and Reducing Geohazard Risk.”
The fourth UNESCO Global Geoparks Council meeting was also organized in parallel with the symposium in Lombok, from Aug 31 to Sept 2, 2019
In the meantime, during the 29th Workshop on Managing Potential Conflict in the South China Sea held in Batam, Riau Islands Province, on Sept 11, 2019, Indonesia's Foreign Affairs Ministry tabled a proposal to establish a geopark network in the South China Sea Rim.
Currently, at least 46 UNESCO Global Geoparks (GG) are there in the South China Sea Rim. The presence of geoparks helps to improve the economy and contribute to the prosperity of the local communities.
Indonesia sees huge potential in developing cooperation among geoparks in the South China Sea Rim in order to support nature and cultural conservations, develop the creative economy, and promote the tourism sector, the ministry's Director of the Centre for Policy Analysis and Development for Multilateral Affairs, Dindin Wahyudin, emphasized.
A regional geopark network can serve as a platform for sharing best practices and for capacity building. The network should promote the role of small and micro businesses in the region and encourage combined tour packages by connecting geoparks in the South China Sea as an integrated regional tourism destination and market.
Dindin cited the Langkawi Geopark in Malaysia as a good example of a geopark managing to bring about significant economic growth, particularly after its inscription into the UGGp List.
Currently, Indonesia is developing several geoparks, including the Natuna Geopark, which is strategically located adjacent to the South China Sea region.
Natuna was officially designated as the National Geopark of Indonesia on November 30, 2018, and Indonesia is currently promoting the Natuna Geopark as one of the UNESCO Global Geoparks.
In addition to positively impacting the local economy by increasing the flow of investments and tourists, the presence of the Geopark in Natuna can aid in environmental preservation while achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
Furthermore, the Ende district government is upbeat about the Kelimutu National Park and the adjoining area in Kelimutu Sub-district, Flores Island, East Nusa Tenggara Province, being designated a geopark area in 2021.
"Since 2018, we have made preparations for the establishment of a geopark in Kelimutu National Park, and the government's target is to ensure that it materializes in 2021," Hiparkus Hepi, head of the tourism office of Ende District, noted recently.
A working team has been formed to prepare the designation of Kelimutu National Park as a geopark, in cooperation with a team from West Java.
Consultants will conduct field studies on biodiversity, geology, and culture within the national park that is known for its unique three-colored lake.
"From birds, plants, and rocks, to the traditional culture in Kelimutu area will be studied, and the results will be examined by teams from the central government and UNESCO that has the authority to issue a recommendation on whether it is qualified," he stated.
In the meantime, as a follow-up of the Asia Pacific Symposium of Geoparks Network (APGN), a competence test for geopark guides was held in Lombok on September 17-18, 2019.
A total of 78 geopark guides participated in the first-ever competence test encompassing knowledge, skills, and conduct of geopark guides, T. B. Haeru Rahayu, assistant to the coordinating ministry's deputy-in-charge of maritime education and training, stated.
Geopark guides must have a broad understanding of geology and environmental cleanliness as well as be capable of providing public services and vital information to tourists.
"These guides are the envoys of Indonesia or at least envoys of the regions where they work. Tourists, their employers, and also the nation rely on them," he emphasized.

KOMODO ISLAND TO BE DEVELOPED INTO VERY EXCLUSIVE TOURIST ATTRACTION

26 Jul 2019 16:17

Daerah : Jakarta

By Fardah
Jakarta, 26/7 (Antara) - The controversy over Komodo Island has died down after the central government gave the go-ahead for temporarily closing the ecotourism destination to be developed into a conservation area and a very exclusive tourist attraction.
Komodo Island is located within the Komodo National Park (TNK) that spans 137 thousand hectares, of which 60 percent constitutes waters. The park has 147 islands, including five major islands: Gili Motang Island, Padar Island, Nusa Kode Island, Komodo Island, and Rinca Island.
The TNK is home to 2,800 Komodo dragons (Veranus Komodoensis), including 1,040 heads on Rica Island, while the rest live on Komodo Island, Giling Motang Island, and other smaller islands.

In 1977, TNK was named a biosphere reserve by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and in 1991, it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In 2012, it was listed as the New 7 Wonders of Nature sites.
The TNK recorded revenue amounting to Rp32 billion from tourist visits to the park during 2018, an increase from Rp29 billion in the previous year. A total of 176,830 tourists, comprising 121,409 foreigners and 55,421 Indonesians, had visited the TNK last year, a surge from 119,599 visitors in 2017, and a drastic increase from 80 thousand tourists in 2014, according to Lukita Awang, head of TNK.
During a visit to Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai District, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) Province, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) confirmed that Komodo Island will be developed into a conservation area and only few tourists, willing to dig deeper into their pockets, will be allowed to land on the island to see the Komodo Dragon, the worlds only surviving giant lizards in the wilderness.

CLOSURE OF KOMODO ISLAND FEARED TO SHAKE TOURISM INDUSTRY by Fardah

Jakarta, Jan 31, 2019 (Antara) - As a controversy drags on about a plan of the East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) governor to close Komodo Island for a year, Tourism Minister Arief Yahya has finally voiced his objection and considered it irrelevant.

         Komodo Island is one of the major islands inside the Komodo National Park, located in proximity to Labuan Bajo, one of the 10 priority tourist destinations designated by the Government as "New Bali."
    The nine other destinations are Borobudur in Central Java; Mandalika on Lombok Island, West Nusa Tenggara; Bromo-Tengger-Semeru in East Java; Pulau Seribu in North Jakarta; Lake Toba in North Sumatra; Wakatobi in Southeast Sulawesi; Tanjung Lesung in Banten; Morotai in the northern region of Halmahera in the Maluku Islands; and Tanjung Kelayang in Belitung, Bangka Belitung.

         Both Komodo Island and Labuan Bajo are located in West Manggarai District on Flores Island, and they are the backbone of the tourism industry of NTT, in particular, and Indonesia, in general.

         Hence, Tourism Minister Arief Yahya opined that a plan to close Komodo Island would be irrelevant to the tourism industry.

         "It is not relevant, as Vice President JK (Jusuf Kalla) has said," Yahya stated in response to the press' questions on January 30, 2019.

        Kalla, in Jakarta recently, expressed his objection to the planned closure of Komodo Island and called for a detailed and comprehensive study of the plan. 
   The tourism industry is in urgent need of certainty to run the business, so any issue on the closure of a tourism destination will directly affect the performance of the tourism sector.

        Travel agents and operators are looking for certainty without which they would not dare to advertise or offer their services, Yahya noted.

REVEALING PAPUA'S RICH BIODIVERSITY INTERNATIONALLY by Fardah

 Jakarta, June 11, 2016 (Antara) - Indonesia's eastern most island of Papua is one of the world's largest and highest tropical islands, which is incredibly diverse and different from any other on Earth.

        Papua Island, which consists of West Papua and Papua Provinces, is home to some 250 tribes that retain ancient traditional cultures, and over 250 indigenous languages and dialects.

        Having the world's remaining virgin tropical rainforests with vast biological diversity, the island is also home to endemic fauna such as possums, wallabies, tree-kangaroos, and endangered Long-beaked Echidna, in addition to birds of paradise or Cenderawasih, cassowaries, parrots, and cockatoos. It also has the world's longest lizards and largest butterflies.

       Its biodiversity includes 15000 to 20000 plant species (55 percent endemic), 2000 species of orchids, 602 species of birds (52 percent endemic), and 125 species of mammals (58 percent endemic), in addition to 223 species of reptiles and amphibia (35 percent endemic), 25 species of freshwater fish and 1200 species of marine fish, as well as an estimated 150,000 species of insects, according to the 2013 data of Papua Ecology.

        Large parts of the equatorial glacier fields in the highlands remain largely unexplored. Protected areas within Papua province include the Lorentz National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Wasur National Park, a RAMSAR wetland of international importance.

       In an effort to expose the natural uniqueness and richness, the Papua provincial government plans to invite foreign participants from four continents - America, Europe, Asia and Australia, to participate in an International Conference on Biodiversity, Eco-Tourism and Creative Economy (ICBE), from September 7 to 10, 2016.