Success in Developing Belitung Geopark, Department of Biology IPB University is Asked to Develop Indonesia Geopark in Natuna

Dr Puji Rianti, researcher from Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences IPB University, attended the End of Year Evaluation Coordination Meeting and  Preparation Program Committee of 2020 National Geopark (KNGI) in Ranai, Natuna, Riau Islands, (18-20 / 12). Dr. Puji represented IPB University in order to share experiences about cooperation between institutions to build and develop the success of the Belitung Geopark.

“In just two years, Belitung Geopark has been able to become a UNESCO Global Geopark candidate with an achievement score of 850 out of 1000,” said the representative of the Monitoring Center for Sustainable Tourism Observatory of IPB for Belitung.

According to him, the story of the collaboration had inspired many other Geopark management boards to start engaging educational institutions. Especially in developing pillars of conservation, education, and the economy of the community that can be done together through conducive cooperation.

“On this occasion, the Department of Biology initiated cooperation in the field of conservation and education of geo-biology biodiversity in Indonesia with Padjajaran University, especially for Natuna and Cileteuh Geopark. In addition, we also initiated collaboration of conservation and biodiversity education with UNESCO Global Geopark Gunung Sewu, especially the rich biodiversity of ancient forests in Gua Jomblang, Gunung Kidul, ‘he added.

Furthermore, the various initiations of this collaboration will initiate the achievements of the Department of Biology IPB University with various instantions in 2020. This also proves the direct involvement of the Department of Biology IPB University in developing science in the field of tropical biodiversity that can advance the value conservation, education, and the economy of the Indonesian people.

In this coordination meeting, more than sharing experiences, participants also sought joint solutions to solve various Geopark management problems, up to the regulation drafting of the Minister of National Development Planning on the National Action Plan for Indonesian Geopark Development for the period 2020-2024.

The Geopark 2020-2024 development program is built based on three pillars, namely: the conservation pillar (geological, cultural and biodiversity heritage), the education pillar (geological research, biodiversity, and rich cultural history as well as disaster and climate change), development of sustainable community economy pillar (community / community economic development, sustainable tourism development and creative economy, development of regional infrastructure and renewable energy), and supporting facilities and infrastructure (development of funding, development of regional governance and management, and geopark development).

Present at the coordination meeting were representatives from the National Development Planning Agency (BAPPENAS), the Indonesian Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Investment, the Director General of Natural Resources Conservation and Ecosystems, Ministry of Education and Culture, LIPI, National Archaeological Research Center, Ministry of BUMN, Regional Government of Riau Islands and Natuna Regency, 19 Geopark Management Agencies, as well as experts, academics, and professional associations from Padjajaran University, Sumatra Institute of Technology, IPB University , University of Lampung’s Krakatau Research Center, Indonesian Geopark Network, Indonesian Geologist Association, Indonesian Planning Experts Association, Indonesian Geotourism Society, and Indonesian Hotels and Restaurants Association. (IAAS/SAR)

Keyword: Geopark Belitung, Geopark Indonesia, Departement of Biology,  IPB University