VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

A team from the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has visited the Maros Pangkep Geopark in Makassar, South Sulawesi, to see its readiness to join the Global Geopark (Earth Park) network, as said by the Head of the Pangkep Tourism Office, Ahmad Djaman, on Thursday.

Ahmad Djaman said that the UNESCO team had given 6 months to complete various requirements so that the Maros Pangkep Geopark could turn into a Global Geopark.

"So they (the UNESCO team) asked to complete several requirements to become a Global Geopark," he said.

Some of the requirements are related to the readiness of facilities and infrastructure, road access to the location, attractiveness, readiness of tourist objects, and the readiness of the community.

"They required signboards, road access so that it involves many parties including the Transportation Department to make signs to the geopark location," he said.

The Maros Pangkep National Geopark Management Agency, which was formed by the Governor of South Sulawesi, Prof. HM Nurdin Abdullah, has submitted an application file to UNESCO's International Geoscience and Geoparks Program (IGGP) in Paris, France.

"So while it is in the process. We, from the Pangkep Regency Government, will certainly focus on completing all the requirements so that the Maros Pangkep Geopark can go global," he said.

The Maros Pangkep Geopark has been designated as a National Geopark by the Government of the Republic of Indonesia in November 2017.

If successful in entering the UNESCO Global Geopark list, Ahmad Djaman hopes that the Maros Pangkep Geopark can be a research location for cultural sites and develop its surrounding area for tourism.

He also invited the authorities and the surrounding community to commit to preserving nature and the environment at the Maros Pangkep Geopark.

"This Geopark is how to glorify nature and improve the welfare of society, that is the true mission of the Geopark," he said.

He explained that infrastructure development can be done, but the most important thing that must be maintained is how to maintain the authenticity of cultural sites and local wisdom.

"The Maros Pangkep Geopark has many destinations. That's why I say that authenticity and local wisdom must really be maintained," he concluded. (CNNIndonesia via Antaranews)