KABARKALSEL.COM, BANJARBARU -  Through a fairly long process, Geopark Meratus in South Kalimantan is officially designated as a UNESCO Global Geoparks (UGGp). 

The Executive Board of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in the 221rd Session in Paris, France, 2 to 17 April 2025.

The determination of the status of the Meratus Geopark coincides with the status of Geopark Kebumen in Central Java.

Through a consensus decision, the 58-member UNESCO Executive Council approved 16 new geopark proposals from 11 countries.

Apart from Indonesia, other geoparks that have just held the title of UGGp are in China, North Korea, Ecuador, Italy, Norway, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Spain, the United Kingdom, and Vietnam.

Previously 16 new geoparks have been nominated by the UNESCO Global Geopark Council in the span of September to December 2024.

Thus, Meratus and Kebumen complete 12 UGGp in Indonesia. Starting from Batur, Belitong, Ciletuh, Mount Sewu, Itjen, Maros Pangkep, Merangin, Raja Ampat, Rinjani, and Caldera Toba.

"Thank God the Meratus Geopark has officially been designated as UGGp. Just waiting for the submission of the certificate scheduled for September 2025," said the Chairman of the Meratus Geopark Daily, Hanifah Dwi Nirwana, Wednesday (16/04/2025).

"Of course, this should be grateful and proud of the people of South Kalimantan," added the Expert Staff of the Minister of Internal Relations of Central and Regional Institutions in the Ministry of Environment (KLH).

The determination became a new phase for Kalsel, especially for the tourism sector to be built to be more open.

"It is not easy to reach the current level, so all components of society must be driven to build a Meratus Geopark to be more global," Hanifah said.

“Of course, economic improvement is an important target. But the way to maintain cultural and environmental sustainability must still be an important foundation for sustainability development," he added.

Meratus Geopark itself consists of four travel routes. Starting from the West, South, East, and North Routes.

The West Route includes the Floating Market of Lok Baintan, Wasaka Museum, Sasirangan Village, Sasirangan Floating Gallery, Banjar Custom House, Kembang Island, Sewangi Island Shipbuilding, and Bekantan Curiak Conservation.

The East Route consists of Batu Sekis Sungai Kambang, Mature Keladan, Loan Riam Dam, Tiwingan Hill, Fisheries of Lake Riam Kanan, Lake Cliff Stage House, Ulin Island, Ancient Volcano Under the Old Tiwingan Sea, Bekantan Island, Pine Island, Sirang Island Site, Bisu Ba'ah Witness Tree, Belangian Village, Tropical Rainforest Kahung, Tomb of Keramat.

The North Route includes the Indigenous House of the High Ridge and the Baliku Elephant, the Coal Cage of the Tanjung Formation, Oranje Nassau Mine, Batu Hapu Cave, Kalayangan Dandang Village, Keramat Mosque, Sentra Dodol Kandangan, Balai Adat Malaris, Rakit Bambu, Bukit Kantawan, Lightning Waterfall, Tanuhi Hot Springs, Bukit Langara and Tebung Batu

While the South Route consists of Tropical Rainforest Garden, Purun Making, Jamu Village and Traditional Medicine, Lambung Mangkurat Museum, Geopark Information Center, Orchid Conservation Park, 16 Endemic Animal Habituation, Snake Stone, Bamboo Kiram Mosque, Prince Suryanata Legend Monument, Intan Cempaka Traditional Mining, Sasirangan Shop, Dutch Pesanggrahan Mandiangin, Puncak.