Jakarta, IO – Ijen Geopark was officially designated as UNESCO Global Geopark (UGG) during UNESCO’s annual meeting in Paris in mid-2022. Based on the results of the assessment, the tourist area in the Banyuwangi and Bondowoso districts won the highest score in Indonesia, namely 873 points.
Ijen Geopark received the highest score because the area has panoramic views of blue fire and a lake in the middle of the caldera with the highest acidity level in the world. So far, there has been no higher assessment than Ijen, per Kompas Travel, Wednesday (12/7).
“The score for Ijen Geopark is still the highest in Indonesia,” said Ijen Geopark manager Mohamad Yasin.
This added value is also supported by the remnants of geological eruptions, the presence of endemic flora and fauna, and local culture which attract many tourists. Meanwhile, the second highest score for Indonesia is earned by Maros Pangkep with a score of 869 and Belitung with 850 points.
The assessment criteria to become UGG include 35 percent geology and landscape (territorial, geo-conservation, natural heritage, and culture), 25 percent management or management structure, 15 percent interpretation and environmental education, 15 percent geotourism, and 10 percent of sustainable regional economic development. (bp)