Jakarta, CNN Indonesia – President Joko Widodo pushed the Geopark (Taman Bumi) of the Toba Caldera, Samosir Regency, North Sumatra, to be recognized and entered the UNESCO global network.
The geopark is one of the icons of tourism in North Sumatra that combines geological, biological and cultural diversity.
“Yes, that will be the duty of the Governor, the Regent, including later in the ministry,” Jokowi said at the location, as quoted from the website of the Presidential Secretariat, Wednesday (7/31).
Jokowi visited the geopark with First Lady Iriana Jokowi and a number of Working Cabinet ministers. He then visited the Toba Caldera Geopark Building.
Inside the building there is a mini theater. There Jokowi and Iriana listened to an explanation of the history of the formation of Lake Toba and local local wisdom.
Citing the official website of the UNESCO Global Geopark Network, Indonesia has four geoparks that have been recognized by UNESCO, including Mount Batur in Bali, Ciletuh in West Java, Gunung Sewu in East Java, and Mount Rinjani in Lombok.
Minister of Tourism (Menpar) Arief Yahya explained the development of the Lake Toba region is based on three main factors, namely attraction, accessibility, and amenities.
In terms of attractions, development is carried out with reference to the UNESCO Global Geopark (UGG) qualification standard.
“Currently the UGG application is being processed, it is targeted to be certified this year. Then 16 geosites will be built which are spread throughout the districts around Lake Toba, “Arief said.
Accompanying Jokowi and Iriana when reviewing the Toba Caldera Geopark included the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut Binsar Panjaitan, the Minister of Tourism Arief Yahya, the Minister of Public Works and Public Housing Basuki Hadimuljono, the Minister of Transportation, Budi Karya Sumadi, the Chief of Staff of the Maritime Affairs Luhut Binsar Panjaitan, the Minister of Tourism Arief Yahya, the Minister of Public Works and Public Housing Basuki Hadimuljono, the Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi, the Chief of Staff of the Presidential Office of Moeldoko, and the Governor of North Sumatra Edy Rahmayadi.
The day before, the former Solo Mayor visited Kampung Ulos Hutaraja, Lumban Suhi-suhi Toruan Village, Pangururan District, Samosir Regency.
The presence of Jokowi and Iriana together with the group was greeted by local residents with a lively and warm.
Jokowi said he was impressed with life in Kampung Ulos Hutaraja.
He immediately ordered the Minister of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) Basuki Hadimuljono to organize the Ulos village to become one of the attractive cultural tourism destinations.
“This year, it was started because it repaired and then moved buildings that were not in accordance with the Ulos village, the traditional village, so it really became a tourist destination that I found very interesting,” he said.
According to Jokowi, the process of repairing and moving buildings in Kampung Ulos Hutaraja will be guided and architected by the Ministry of PUPR.
The former Jakarta governor wants Kampung Ulos Hutaraja to become a tourist destination in the Lake Toba area that is feasible and interesting to visit.
“I think that the most important thing to repair, restore is the guidance of the Ministry of Public Works, from the architect so that it really becomes an area that is really worth visiting. Because in my opinion the activity was very interesting, “he said.
From Ulos Hutaraja Village, Jokowi and Iriana then surveyed Jetty Samosir’s pier located at Situngkir Beach, Samosir Regency.
Jokowi was accompanied by Iriana and a number of his staff conducted a working visit to North Sumatra, particularly to the area around Lake Toba since Monday (29/7). The elected president wants the Lake Toba region to become a world-class tourism destination.
In fact, Jokowi claimed to be ready to disburse funds of Rp3.5 trillion from the state budget to develop the Lake Toba region.
He said there were about 28 tourist destinations that could be explored, both in terms of history, culture, to natural scenery, in the lake area that surrounds the seven districts.
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