Toba Caldera is designated as UNESCO Global Geopark at the 209th Session of the UNESCO Executive Board in Paris.
Photo source: Instagram @kemlu_ri
There’s a good news in the middle of a pandemic that makes most people restless. The good news was announced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs through its Instagram account @kemlu_ri.
Reporting from Embassy of Indonesia in Paris, the Executive Board of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) agreed that the Toba Caldera is designated as UNESCO Global Geopark at the 209th Session of the UNESCO Executive Board in Paris (07/07). Executive Board members appoint 16 new UNESCO Global Geoparks, including the Toba Caldera.
The government of Indonesia has succeeded in convincing UNESCO that the Toba Caldera has high geological links and traditional heritage with local communities, especially in terms of culture and biodiversity. In this context, UNESCO member countries support the Toba Caldera to be preserved and protected as part of the UNESCO Global Geopark.
This designation provides an opportunity as well as being a responsibility for Indonesia, especially for the local community. Hopefully, this stipulation can encourage economic development and sustainable development in the Toba Caldera region.
Through the development of sustainable geo-tourism, opening opportunities for local people to promote culture, local products and creating wider employment. With the world's recognition and attention to the Toba Caldera, the government and local communities have obligations to improve and continue to preserve the environment and integrity of the Toba Caldera region.
The establishment of the Toba Caldera as one of UNESCO Global Geoparks is the result of a joint effort of various stakeholders, both the central and regional governments, as well as the people who live in the Lake Toba region.
The Toba Caldera becoma one of UNESCO Global Geoparks list after being assessed and decided by the UNESCO Global Geoparks Council at the IVth UNESCO Global Geoparks International Conference in Lombok, Indonesia, on 31 August - 2 September 2019.
The Toba caldera in North Sumatra Province was formed from a super volcanic eruption that happened 74,000 years ago. Because of the eruption, the bottom of the caldera then filled with water and became the biggest lake in Indonesia.
In addition to the Toba Caldera, Indonesia also has four other UNESCO Global Geopark sites including Mount Batur in Bali, Ciletuh Geopark in Sukabumi, Mount Rinjani in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), and Mount Sewu in Yogyakarta.
