Rinjani-Lombok Geopark retains UNESCO Global Geopark Green Card

hartono · Apr 29, 2026

Mount Rinjani as seen from Sembalun Village in East Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara. ANTARA/Sugiharto Purnama

Mataram, W Nusa Tenggara (ANTARA) - The Rinjani-Lombok Geopark has successfully retained its UNESCO Global Geopark (UGG) Green Card status for the second time, extending its designation in the global network for another four years.

The achievement followed a rigorous revalidation process, with the certificate officially presented at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France, on Monday (April 27).

The General Manager of Rinjani-Lombok Geopark, Qwadru Putro Wicaksono, stated that maintaining the status is far more challenging than achieving the designation for the first time.

"This second Green Card is global recognition of the collective hard work of all stakeholders in West Nusa Tenggara," he said in a statement in Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara, on Tuesday.

He noted that successfully retaining the status proves that the management of the Rinjani-Lombok Geopark continues to meet global standards in conservation, education, and community economic empowerment.

The revalidation process was carried out thoroughly by UNESCO assessors. They evaluated not only the site's natural beauty but also the tangible impact on the welfare of communities living around Mount Rinjani, the highest peak in West Nusa Tenggara.

The geopark management highlighted several innovations from the past four years, particularly in education, where geopark materials have been integrated into local school curricula. In addition, geological literacy has also been strengthened within the community.

The focus on disaster mitigation provided a significant advantage, given Lombok's location in a tectonically active zone. The integration of geological knowledge to ensure the safety of both tourists and residents was a key priority that was praised by the UNESCO assessment team.

During the certificate handover in Paris, the Indonesian Ambassador to France, Mohamad Oemar, emphasized that the Rinjani-Lombok Geopark is more than a tourist destination; it is a natural laboratory of great scientific significance.

The Indonesian government remains committed to promoting the nation's geoparks on the international stage, hoping that the success of Rinjani-Lombok Geopark will serve as an inspiration for other Indonesian geoparks.