Jakarta (VNA) – Belitung island in Bangka Belitung Islands province,Indonesia, has been recently recognised as a global geopark by the UNESCO.
Governor of Bangka Belitung Islands Erzaldi Rosman Djohan said on April 19 thatthe UNESCO designated Belitung as a global geopark at the 211th session of theUNESCO Executive Council in Paris.
Belitung won the highest score in the history of submitting a global geopark tothe UNESCO, which is 850 out of 1000 points.
The UNESCO recognised the geological diversity on Belitung island, and thesurrounding islands, including landscapes, rocks, minerals, geological andtectonic processes as well as the evolution of the earth in Belitung.
Furthermore, the geopark is unique with a strong connection between geological,biological and cultural aspects. It is home to a wide range of flora and fauna,some of which are only found in Belitung such as Hampala fish and Toman fish.
This is the 6th Indonesian national geopark named in the UNESCO global geoparklist.
Earlier, Indonesia successfully registered the Caldera of Toba, Batur, Ciletuh,Mount Sewu and Mount Rinjani. The Southeast Asian nation also boasts manynatural and cultural properties recognised by the UNESCO, including ninecultural and natural heritage sites, and 18 biosphere reserves.
A ceremony to officially announce Belitung as a global geopark will be held inParis on April 22./.