From Bali’s volcanic calderas to ancient seabed rocks in Kalimantan, Indonesia’s geological heritage is gaining renewed international recognition. In 2026, Rinjani-Lombok, Toba Caldera and Ciletuh-Palabuhanratu secured UNESCO “green card” status for 2026–2029, reaffirming their place within the country’s network of 12 UNESCO Global Geoparks.
A Growing Network, a Lasting Commitment
The latest additions, Kebumen in Central Java and Meratus in South Kalimantan, received UNESCO recognition in April 2025. Together, they expanded a network that connects geological conservation with education, cultural heritage and sustainable local development. Both remain Indonesia’s newest entries on UNESCO’s current list.
Indonesia’s journey began with Batur’s admission to the Global Geoparks Network in September 2012. Its volcanic landscape helped establish a national approach to interpreting Earth’s history through tourism and education. UNESCO’s present Global Geoparks designation followed in 2015, explaining why its directory records Batur under that year.
The network complements Indonesia’s 57 national parks, although the designations serve different purposes. Geoparks integrate geological heritage with inhabited landscapes and local economies; UNESCO recognition does not itself create a new legal protected-area category.
Meratus Brings Ancient Oceans into View
Covering 346,500 hectares, Meratus offers a striking lesson in plate tectonics. UNESCO describes it as containing Indonesia’s oldest and most complete ophiolite sequence: rocks from the ocean floor uplifted onto land between 137 million and 110 million years ago. Mountains, rivers and caves now reveal that extraordinary transformation.
Its human stories are equally compelling. Visitors can encounter Banjar river trading at Lok Baintan’s floating market, learn about Dayak Meratus bamboo-rafting traditions and discover sasirangan textiles. These experiences connect geological interpretation with the knowledge and livelihoods of people who inhabit the landscape.
Discovering the Landscape Through Local Knowledge
Elsewhere, Ijen in East Java demonstrates how geological science can deepen a visitor’s experience. Its celebrated blue flames come from burning sulphurous gases, becoming visible at night when sunlight no longer obscures them. Explaining the phenomenon turns a spectacular view into an opportunity to understand volcanic processes.
The wider tourism opportunity lies in connecting such attractions with local guides, accommodation, food and crafts. Success depends on how visits are managed and how communities participate, rather than recognition alone.
“Geoparks are not just rocks,” said Hanifah Dwi Nirwana, then executive chair of the Meratus Geopark Management Agency, in December 2023. She emphasised that developing community economies must deliver tangible benefits for residents.
Heritage That Supports Livelihoods
In Bangkal, Banjarbaru, Meratus’s sasirangan production site provides a practical example. Local artisans use natural dyes and skills acquired through training or passed down by parents. Visitors can purchase fabric and finished clothing, linking cultural appreciation directly with local enterprise.
Conservation nevertheless requires continued public action. Geopark status does not automatically ban mining or other lawful economic activities; protection depends on applicable legislation, planning and management. The 2026 revalidations highlight that international recognition is an ongoing responsibility.
Indonesia’s next opportunity is to make its geological stories work for the people who tell them. When conservation, learning and local enterprise advance together, an ancient landscape can support a more resilient future.
