Tanjung Kelayang Beach in Bangka Belitung Islands (Photo: thejakartapost.com)
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./.
As a convergence of geological, archeological, cultural and biodiversity values, the Dak Nong Global Geological Park promises to be an attractive destination for international tourists in the future.
The Central Highlands province of Dak Nong on November 24 received a certificate recognising its geopark as part of the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network.
Non Nuoc Cao Bang Global Geopark is an exceptional area in which it is possible to explore the history of the Earth for more than 500 million years. It’s also a land of tangible and intangible cultural heritage sites.
Despite having prepared a dossier for the UNESCO recognition of the Ly Son-Sa Huynh Global Geo-Park last November, local authorities have shelved plans to apply for the park's recognition after years of efforts and some 160 field surveys and scientific seminars.
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Tanjung Kelayang Beach in Bangka Belitung Islands (Photo: thejakartapost.com) 
