Marrakesh – Ijen Geopark has finally officially become part of UNESCO Global Geopark (UGG). Hal ini dikukuhkan dalam konferensi internasional ke-10 UGG yang dilaksanakan di Habous Cultural Complex, Marrakesh, Morocco, Saturday (9/9/2023) local time. UNESCO or The United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization itself is a United Nations organization that operates in the field of education, science and culture.
The charter for establishing it as a Global Geoparks Network was handed over directly by the President of the Global Geopark Network, Nickolos Zourous. Bupati Banyuwangi Ipuk Fiestiandani diundang menghadiri konferensi prestisius tersebut. Also present was the Head of the East Java Culture and Tourism Service, Jewish.
"The inauguration of Ijen Geopark as part of UNESCO's global geopark network is not the end, but this is actually the beginning of Banyuwangi's efforts to bring regional potential to international level," he said.
The inaugural event itself, added Ipuk, the service continues even though it has to be moved. Because a large-scale earthquake occurred 6,8 the Richter scale that hit Morocco. “We are sorry to hear about this disaster. May Moroccan citizens be given the fortitude and strength to face it," said Ipuk.
Ipuk added, The entry of Ijen Geopark into the global geopark network will increase international public attention to Ijen Geopark. Especially, The forum was attended by more than 1.200 scientists and geopark activists from 50 country.
"There's a lot of evidence, when a geopark enters the world geopark network, This will be followed by international attention and an increase in visits. We hope this can help move the economy, open employment opportunities, and of course maintaining environmental sustainability and local culture," explained Ipuk.
Geopark Ijen sendiri merupakan taman bumi yang tak hanya memiliki keunikan bentang alam dan kekayaan budaya, namun juga didukung dengan semangat mewujudkan sustainable tourism (wisata berkelanjutan). Geopark Ijen terbentang di seluruh wilayah kabupaten yang secara spesifik kawasannya ada di kawasan Gunung Ijen, Red Island Beach, Alas Purwo National Park. Lengkap dengan beragam kekayaan geosite, biosite, dan culturalsite-nya.
Banyuwangi, continued Ipuk, dalam sepuluh tahun terakhir telah merintis upaya yang selaras dengan konsep pengembangan geopark global yang menekankan pada upaya konservasi dan mengajak masyarakat berperan serta melindungi dan meningkatkan fungsi potensi alam untuk pembangunan ekonomi lokal.
Misalnya saja Banyuwangi banyak mengemas event sportourism seperti Ijen Green Run, balap sepeda Internasional Tour De Ijen dan lainnya yang menyajikan alam yang asli dengan oksigen yang berlimpah.
Pengembangan pariwisata di Banyuwangi sendiri, said Ipuk, juga mendorong keterlibatan masyarakat secara luas. ”Kami dorong masyarakat untuk terlibat berbagai event pelestarian budaya. Seperti event tumpeng Sewu, Seblang, ngopi Sepulu Ewu ada keterlibatan aktif warga dalam pelaksanaannya,’ ujar Ipuk.
“Banyuwangi juga melarang hotel dibangun di sekitar Ijen dan tempat-tempat wisata lainnya, agar masyarakat sekitar bisa membuka home stay untuk pengembangan ekonomi. Juga bagian dari upaya menjaga kearifan lokal,” he added. (*)
