JAKARTA: The United Nations cultural body has recognised two geoparks in Central Java and South Kalimantan, namely Kebumen and Meratus, as UNESCO global geoparks, the Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday.

They are among the 16 new global geoparks that have just been approved by the UNESCO executive board in a session in Paris, France, the ministry said in the press release.

This followed their nominations by the Global Geoparks Council late last year.

“The UNESCO recognition is evidence of Indonesia’s contribution to preserving Earth heritage,” Mohamad Oemar, Indonesia permanent delegation to UNESCO, said in the press release from the Foreign Ministry on Tuesday.

“At the same time, it signifies a responsibility to preserve, manage sustainably and promote our geological sites and culture,” said Oemar, who is also the ambassador to France.

Located in the southern part of Central Java, Kebumen geopark stretches across an area of about 1,100 square kilometres.

According to a UNESCO document, the geopark has conical hills to the southwest and flat alluvial plains to the southeast. The highlight of the geopark is its records of plate tectonic activities that date back as far as 119 million years ago.

The Meratus geopark, meanwhile, covers an area of about 3,600 sq km at the southern tip of South Kalimantan.

The landscape has many valleys, waterfalls, rivers, lakes and karst landforms. It is home to Banjar and Dayak people.

The geopark features the Meratus Mountains, which are characterised by ophiolite, an exposed oceanic crust that is globally rare.

According to the UNESCO document, although ophiolites are found elsewhere in Indonesia, the Meratus Mountains preserve the most complete ophiolite sequence and the oldest in the country.

A UNESCO global geopark is an area that features landscapes of international geological significance.

A geopark must be managed with a concept that combines conservation, public outreach and sustainable development.

The inclusion of Kebumen and Meratus brings the number of Indonesian geoparks in the UNESCO list of global geoparks to 12.

They include famous tourist destinations Raja Ampat in Papua, which is known for its underwater beauty, and Rinjani-Lombok geopark in West Nusa Tenggara that features Mount Rinjani, known for its breathtaking peak and crescent-shaped crater lake named Segara Anak.

Other geoparks are Toba caldera in North Sumatra, Batur in Bali, Ciletuh in West Java, Ijen in East Java, Belitung in Bangka Belitung Islands, Merangin in Jambi, Maros Pangkep in South Sulawesi and Mount Sewu, which is located along the borders of three provinces in Java.

Holding the status of UNESCO global geopark can help local communities boost tourism.

Apart from Indonesia, several other countries had their geoparks recognised this year, such as Norway with its Fjord Coast, Vietnam with Lang Son, South Korea with Danyang and Gyeongbuk Donghaean, North Korea with Mount Paektu and Ecuador with Tungurahua Volcano and Napo Sumaco.