Indonesia proposed the Raja Ampat geopark in West Papua as a UNESCO Global Geopark (UGGp). In the process, the Indonesian National Commission for UNESCO (KNIU) completes the file from the geopark manager. This effort helps manage the needs of conservation, sustainable economic development, and education. Not only that, but this is also useful for maritime in Raja Ampat.
What Makes Geopark Raja Ampat Special?
Development of an Earth Park (Geopark) is a single or combined geographic area with geological heritage sites and valuable natural landscapes. This is related to aspects of geological heritage (geoheritage), biodiversity (biodiversity), geological diversity (geodiversity), and cultural diversity (cultural diversity).
Geopark is the primary location for proper management. Some of the benefits of geoparks are the need for conservation, education, and sustainable community economic development. It also involves the active role of the community and local government. As a result, it is helpful to foster public understanding and concern for the surrounding environment.
In other words, the Raja Ampat Geopark is a particular area in the form of karst islands located on the equator. The geology of this island is unique to international, with the oldest exposed rock in the world (439 – 360 million years ago) in Misool, West Papua. As a result, the geological history of the Raja Ampat region is complete because it represents almost one-tenth of the age of the earth.
Plus, this island is inseparable from Papua’s biodiversity. For this reason, most of the area is included in the conservation area. Raja Ampat’s marine and terrestrial ecosystems are home to hundreds of rare, unique, and endangered species. It is also home to various unique endemic plant and animal species that cannot be found anywhere else (only in Papua).
Various indigenous peoples and migrants mingle with local communities to contribute to the maritime development of Raja Ampat. They inherit the cultural wealth of intangible objects. Ideally, everything is available, like Papua, like a rock painting from prehistoric times. Then, there is the sacred egg stone from the folklore of the Origin of Raja Ampat and tribal dances.
Benefits of Raja Ampat Geopark
The Raja Ampat Geopark comprises 29 geosites, each site having local, regional, national, and international scale values. Plus, it also has a variety of functions – scientific, educational, or aesthetic in West Papua. Local communities and indigenous peoples living in the Raja Ampat Geopark area can actively participate in various positive activities.
In addition, the intention of the Raja Ampat district government to implement the concept of sustainable regional development can be done with Geoparks. It was conveyed to the central government through the Ministry of Maritime Affairs. The commitment of the Raja Ampat government to be designated as a National Geopark involves the central, regional, and local governments.
The success of Raja Ampat as a National Geopark has promoted various conservation activities, education, tourism, and the growth of local economic value. Elements of geological heritage from rocks indicate that the Raja Ampat Geopark is a geological history of the Earth’s evolutionary process (4.5 billion years old).
Before forming a complete history of Earth, the Raja Ampat area also has an intangible heritage – from its history, customs, beliefs, and local wisdom. This variety of Earth’s heritage is protected in the form of national legislation to conserve geological heritage and non-geological heritage in West Papua, Indonesia.
In addition, geopark areas help improve community welfare through sustainable use and sustainable development. Then, geoparks help realize the protection of geological heritage sustainably through education and development of Geotourism. It is also helpful to strengthen the role of various parties through disaster risk reduction in Raja Ampat.
The most important thing about the Geopark area is to realize the conservation and education of biodiversity and its ecosystem in maritime. Apart from that, it is also helpful in understanding climate change and preserving it sustainably. As a result, it is helpful for the welfare of local communities in Raja Ampat.
Raja Ampat Geopark to Global
Raja Ampat Geopark towards UNESCO Global Geopark has a developing program starting in 2020. This begins with compiling a master plan based on the main foundations, namely 16 Focuses. Some of its developments are UNESCO Global Geopark, Presidential Regulation of the Republic of Indonesia, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and Coral Triangle Declaration.
Geopark Raja Ampat in West Papua has a particular Geopark area by the equator. Some of the regions is found in the north and the southern hemisphere. This inspired the Raja Ampat Geopark tagline to be called the Emerald Kars Khatulistiwa sentence. In other words, the geoparticle in Raja Ampat helps preserve geological, biological, and cultural heritage.
Overall, the Raja Ampat National Geopark ensures the preservation of geological heritage, educational facilities, and world-class research. Then, it also plays the role of various parties regarding geotourism and education on disaster risk reduction in the surrounding area. In addition, this is also a medium of learning about the conservation of biodiversity and its ecosystem.
