Latest news with #Geopark
ABC News
a day ago
- ABC News
Battle to save Indonesian 'paradise' as nickel industry expands into Raja Ampat in Papua
With its crystal-clear waters and picturesque islands, Raja Ampat — often described as "the last paradise on Earth" — has long been a dream destination for tourists. But this archipelago off Indonesia's east coast has emerged as the latest battleground between groups at odds over the country's nickel industry. For Indigenous Papuan man Matias Mambraku, Raja Ampat, or the "Four Kings", is more than just a paradise. "It's so important not only because of its beauty, but [because] it provides us a livelihood," Mr Mambraku told the ABC. "Many of us here are fishermen, so we really depend on the water, it can fulfil our everyday needs." The archipelago of 1,500 islands, cays and atolls are a UNESCO Global Geopark because of the historic limestone karst rock formations that jut out of the sea. The area is also home to some of the most diverse marine life on earth, said Australian conservationist Lynn Lawrence. With the organisation that she founded with her husband, The Sea People, Ms Lawrence has been trying to restore and protect Raja Ampat for more than a decade. She said over 75 per cent of the world's known hard-coral species, 1,800 reef fish and five endangered turtle species are among the significant sea life here. However, conservationists said the archipelago's delicate ecosystem is being sacrificed to support Indonesia's burgeoning renewable energy industry. Indonesia is the biggest refiner of nickel in the world. Over the past decade the rapid expansion of the industry — to support the electric vehicle and green energy transition — has created opportunities for some while leaving others struggling to get by. Ms Lawrence does not agree with calling Raja Ampat "the last paradise" on earth. "Raja Ampat doesn't need to be admired for what it still has; it needs to be protected for what it still gives," she said. Greenpeace Indonesia has been campaigning to protect Raja Ampat and released an investigation into nickel mining in the area earlier this month. The report revealed nickel mines are responsible for least 550 hectares of deforestation across three islands: Manuran Island, Gag Island, and Kawe Island. "Forests have been destroyed, and rainwater runoff now carries sediment from the cleared areas," Greenpeace said in its report. "This is causing reef-smothering elevated turbidity in the sea, evident as discolouration of water near jetties and mines." Shortly before the Greenpeace research was released, the Indonesian government revoked four of the five active licences within the UNESCO geopark. The government's decision came after a national outcry over nickel mining in Raja Ampat, and in response to a popular social media campaign, "#SaveRajaAmpat". Indonesia's mines minster, Bahlil Lahadila, said at the time the decision to revoke the mining permits was due to "environmental violations" within the UNESCO geopark. The one remaining permit not revoked by the government is on Gag Island. It's held by Gag Nickel, a subsidiary of the Indonesian state-owned mining company Aneka Tambang, which is listed on the Australian Stock Exchange. Arie Rompas from Greenpeace Indonesia urged the government to revoke the Gag Nickel permit. "There must be a formal decision to ensure that the revocation is actually carried out," Mr Rompas told ABC. He warned the government had reactivated mining permits it had revoked in the past. The ABC contacted Gag Nickel, Aneka Tambang and multiple Indonesian government ministries but did not receive a response. Gag Island is about 43 kilometres from Piaynemo — a famous cluster of karst formations that feature on an Indonesian bank note. Global Forest Watch reported that between 2017 and 2024, deforestation caused by nickel mining on Gag Island reached 262 hectares. Nickel ore mined on Gag Island is loaded onto barges and transported to be refined at the Weda Bay Industrial Park (IWIP) on Halmahera Island, North Maluku, Greenpeace said. According to public reports from Aneka Tambang, Gag Nickel's parent company, ore from Gag Nickel is processed by Tsingshan, a large Chinese-run subsidiary operating within IWIP. IWIP is an integrated mineral industrial complex backed by investment from three huge Chinese companies, which have proliferated since former Indonesian president Joko Widodo first banned the export of unprocessed minerals in 2014. The ban "ushered in a new era of growth and prosperity for the people of Indonesia," the Indonesia Chamber of Commerce Madam Chairperson, Arsjad Rasjid, told the ABC in 2023. But a study from Indonesian not-for-profit organisation Nexus3 and Tadulako University on the pollution around IWIP showed alarming results. Published in May, the study results are based on tests run on water, blood and fish samples taken around Weda Bay in July 2024. Water samples from the main river which serves as drinking sources had high concentrations of heavy metals, including chromium and nickel, that exceeded safe limits set by the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). Blood samples taken from residents living near IWIP recorded the presence of heavy metals like mercury — and arsenic at levels exceeding safe thresholds in 15 people. Nexus3 principal researcher Yuyun Ismawati said, apart from inhaling pollutants, heavy metals detected in blood came from eating contaminated fish. The study found that fish caught in Weda Bay contained elevated levels of arsenic and mercury. Ms Ismawati said the arsenic levels in fish surpassed national safe thresholds and posed a serious risk to people who live in the area and ate them. "The fish samples were taken at the fish landing site, directly from the fishermen's boats — these are the same fish sold at the market," she said. "We collected fish from there because that's what local residents consume daily. Rivani Abdurrajak, head of the local government environmental agency, disputed the findings of the Nexus3 research, local media reported in early June. Mr Abdurrajak told Kompas the water in Weda Bay was not polluted by nickel mining or processing, and government tests showed levels of heavy metals, including arsenic and mercury, at safe levels. Ms Ismawati said that the "cocktail of toxic pollutants" around industrial parks like IWIP were difficult to measure. "Inside these zones, there are various smelters — not just for nickel, but also for aluminium and other metals, even in small quantities, so even if we could take some samples, there are no standard benchmarks to measure these chemical cocktails," she added. IWIP has been contacted for comment. The pollution around IWIP and other major nickel processing parks has acted as a warning to conservations and locals campaigning to defend Raja Ampat from a similar fate. While Indigenous Papuans in Raja Ampat depend on the sea for their survival, the archipelago holds a greater significance for locals. "Raja Ampat's value is inseparable from the people who live in, depend on, and actively shape it," Ms Lawrence said. Mr Mambraku lives in a village near one of the nickel mines which had its permit revoked. He said he hoped the Indonesian government would ensure that any kind of future activities in Raja Ampat followed environmental safeguards and included Indigenous people in decision making. "It's so important not only because of its beauty but it provides us livelihood," Mr Mambraku said.
New Straits Times
5 days ago
- New Straits Times
Sarawak seeking to list Delta Geopark Project as Unesco Global Geopark
KUCHING: Sarawak, which is home to two Unesco world heritage sites, plans to list its Delta Geopark Project as a Unesco Global Geopark. State Tourism, Creative Industries and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Hamzah said today that the Museum Department is collaborating with the Sarawak Forestry Department to prepare for an evaluation visit by Unesco's assessor panel for the geopark project. The visit is from June 23 to 26. He said as part of the evaluation, the assessors will visit key sites, including the Borneo Cultures Museum, Bukit Maras and Sungai Jaong archaeological sites, and the Semeba Schist Tuang. "This field evaluation represents a crucial step in the Delta Geopark's journey towards being recognised as a Unesco Global Geopark." Last month, he told the state legislative assembly that the state's eco-tourism development strategy aligned with Sarawak's aspiration to have the Delta Geopark listed as a Global Geopark. He said as a geopark, it "aims to integrate the conservation of geological, biological, and cultural heritage with sustainable development and education". He added his ministry will incorporate the Sarawak Delta Geopark "within the broader tourism network or framework". To do this, he said his ministry and related agencies are mapping, developing and packaging geo-tourism in the geopark area, particularly Padawan, Bau and well as Santubong. The new geo-tourism products, he said, will be promoted through tour operators and designed to complement tourism offerings. Sarawak's two World Heritage Sites are the Gunung Mulu National Park and Niah Caves National Park. Sarawak is the only state in Malaysia that has more than one heritage site. Karim said these recognitions offer opportunities to boost Sarawak's tourism sector. Sarawak, he added, will develop marketing campaigns that highlight the World Heritage Site status of Gunung Mulu National Park and Niah Caves National Park. These campaigns will also showcase the parks' natural, geological and archaeological feaures to attract environmentally conscious, and adventure-seeking tourists. He said Sarawak is also collaborating with the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) and ICOMOS Malaysia to preserve and promote its cultural and natural heritage.
Daily Record
12-06-2025
- Daily Record
Ancient standing stones in Scotland you can visit on a summer solstice day trip
Interest in Scotland's standing stones has surged, with VisitScotland updating its guide to help visitors experience the solstice at these ancient sites Despite Scotland's soggy start to summer, midsummer is nearly here, and with it, a burst of interest in the country's ancient standing stones. While June has felt more like autumn than high summer, by some traditional measures we're already approaching the halfway point of the season. This year, midsummer falls on Tuesday, June 24, just days after the summer solstice, which will occur at precisely 3.42am on Saturday, June 21. Though it may come as a surprise to rain-weary Scots, the longest day of the year is now just around the corner. The solstice has been celebrated for millennia as a spiritual moment, marking abundance, fertility and a sacred connection to the sun. Across Britain, stone circles remain as lasting testaments to how profoundly our ancestors revered this time of year. In recent weeks, online searches for 'summer solstice' have soared by 136 per cent, while searches for 'standing stones in Scotland' have climbed 101 per cent over the past quarter. Responding to this growing fascination, VisitScotland has refreshed its travel guide to the country's most atmospheric stone circles, inviting travellers to experience the solstice in places that feel far from the usual tourist trail. While Stonehenge in England still draws thousands of druids and onlookers, Scotland's ancient stones offer a quieter, often more dramatic setting. With landscapes ranging from windswept moorlands to rugged island coastlines, these sites offer a deeply evocative way to mark the turning of the seasons. Kilmartin Glen, Argyll and Bute About 30 miles south of Oban, Kilmartin Glen is one of Scotland's richest prehistoric landscapes, with over 350 ancient monuments. Among them are the Nether Largie Standing Stones and the Temple Wood Stone Circle. The Nether Largie Stones, believed to be over 5,000 years old, are thought to align with key celestial events such as the midsummer sunrise. Set in rolling green hills, they create a striking and meaningful solstice backdrop. Nearby, the Temple Wood Circle, made up of 13 standing stones, is one of the best-preserved in the region. Archaeological evidence shows the area was sacred as far back as 3000BC. Machrie Moor, Isle of Arran Situated on the west coast of Arran, Machrie Moor's six unique stone circles were recently included in a newly designated UNESCO Global Geopark. Some of the tallest stones rise over four metres, creating a powerful silhouette against the open sky. Visitors reach the site via a mile-long moorland path, an approach that only adds to the solitude and wonder of the location. Sueno's Stone, Moray At nearly seven metres tall, Sueno's Stone is Scotland's tallest and most intricately carved Pictish monument. Located in Forres, Moray, it dates to the late 9th or early 10th century and likely served as a visible landmark for miles. It remains in its original spot and is now protected by a glass enclosure, open to visitors year-round. Clava Cairns, near Inverness A short drive from Inverness, Clava Cairns is a hauntingly beautiful Bronze Age cemetery site with cairns, kerb stones and standing stones set in ancient woodland. These sacred monuments, some over 4,000 years old, are believed to align with solstice events. The site has also achieved pop culture fame, Outlander fans will recognise it as the inspiration for Craigh na Dun, where Claire's time-travelling journey begins. 'Follow in the footsteps of Claire and explore this historic location shrouded in mystery,' VisitScotland suggests. Ring of Brodgar, Orkney The mighty Ring of Brodgar is part of the Heart of Neolithic Orkney UNESCO World Heritage Site and originally contained around 60 stones, 27 remain standing today. Perched between the lochs of Stenness and Harray, the site offers visitors a glimpse into Neolithic life and mythology. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Standing Stones of Stenness, Orkney Just a short walk from Brodgar, the Standing Stones of Stenness date back over 5,000 years and may be the oldest henge monument in the British Isles. With only four stones still standing, the site retains a powerful energy and has inspired myths from Norse times through to the modern day. Calanais Standing Stones, Isle of Lewis Known as the 'Stonehenge of the North', the Calanais Stones predate Stonehenge and are thought to be between 3,000 and 5,000 years old. In local legend, the stones were called 'Na Fir Bhrèige' or 'the false men.' Their original purpose remains a mystery, though many believe they formed an ancient observatory or ritual site. Calanais has also been immortalised in fiction, inspiring the mystical stones seen in both Brave and Outlander. Note - the visitor centre is currently closed for redevelopment and will reopen in 2026, so travellers should prepare accordingly as there are no facilities or parking in place.
Forbes
12-06-2025
- Forbes
This Remote Coastal Region Is Norway's Newest UNESCO Treasure
The islands of Værlandet and Bulandet appear like a string of pearls, linked together by six new bridges. On Norway's far western coast, a dramatic stretch of fjords, islands and mountains has been recognised as one of the world's most important natural landscapes. The 'Fjord Coast Regional- and Geopark' is now a UNESCO Global Geopark, highlighting its rare geology and also the strong connection between nature and community, shaped over centuries by wind and wave. Unlike the more widely known World Heritage Sites that recognize cultural or natural importance, UNESCO Geoparks focus on telling the story of the Earth itself, highlighting landscapes of geological significance while promoting education, conservation and sustainable development led by local communities. Stretching across five municipalities—Solund, Fjaler, Askvoll, Hyllestad, and Sunnfjord—this remote area of western Norway at the mouth of the Sognefjord is rugged, remote, and packed with dramatic scenery. From folded cliffs shaped by ancient mountain ranges to centuries-old fishing and farming traditions, the region offers visitors a rare opportunity to explore both the story of the Earth and the people who live on it. Hundreds of millions of years ago, the land that is now western Norway was the site of a colossal tectonic clash. Ancient Europe and North America collided, forcing up the vast Caledonian Mountains, which once rivaled the Himalayas in scale. Over time, the mountains wore down. You'll see the remains in the folds of Brurastakken, the polished mineral beds at Hyllestad's stone park, and the conglomerate formations of Solund and Storehesten. The latter are massive cliffs made from long-buried boulders and sediment, now hardened into stone. But this isn't just a park for geologists. For centuries, people here have followed a unique fisher-farmer rhythm of growing crops and tending animals through the summer, then heading to sea in winter. The land shaped their lives, and in return, they shaped the land. That legacy lives on in Hyllestad's historic quarries, which once exported millstones across Europe, and in the poetry of Jakob Sande, who captured the dialect and soul of life along the fjords. Solund, in particular, is home to a striking example of how local knowledge is breathing life into the landscape. At the far western edge of Norway, this remote archipelago of 1,700 islands and islets is home to an unusual project: a community-run wild sheep cooperative. In recent years, locals noticed that parts of the coastal landscape were becoming overgrown. What many didn't realise was that the open horizon they cherished was disappearing because those traditional practices of free-grazing sheep and controlled heather burning had nearly vanished. To restore the balance, residents, farmers and the local school joined forces to bring back a hardy native breed: the Old Norwegian Sheep. Known for their resilience, these animals thrive in the harsh, windswept landscape and graze on everything from mountain grasses to seaweed. Crucially, they help maintain the open heathland that defines the landscape. The 'Fjord Coast Regional- and Geopark' isn't a single site, but a sprawling, varied landscape stretching across five municipalities. Each offers its own geological and cultural highlights, ideal for travellers looking to explore deeper. Solund: This outermost archipelago offers dramatic scenery, unique cultural experiences, and a true sense of isolation. In addition to the wild sheep, you can travel by postal boat between tiny inhabited islands, or head out to Utvær, Norway's westernmost point, where a historic lighthouse stands watch. Hyllestad: Inland from the coast, Hyllestad tells a story of stone. Its historic millstone quarries once produced grinding stones exported across Northern Europe. Today, you can visit the Millstone Park and see how geology shaped both the landscape and livelihoods here. The fjord views are a bonus. Askvoll: Known for its varied natural landscapes, Askvoll gives easy access to everything from fjords and waterfalls to open sea and rugged peaks. Hike up Lihesten, a mountain that once lay deep in a Caledonian valley, or explore the quiet beauty of the Dalsfjord region. Fjaler: Home to quiet villages and rich literary heritage, Fjaler is where you can follow in the footsteps of poet Jakob Sande. It's also a great place for hiking, with well-marked trails that weave through forests and into the heart of the coastal landscape. Sunnfjord: Nestled among steep mountains and glittering fjords, Sunnfjord's highlights include the spectacular Storehesten, a peak formed during the final collapse of the Caledonian mountain range. There's also countless opportunities to kayak, fish, hike or simply soak up the scenery. UNESCO's recognition of the area is a reminder that some of the world's most remarkable natural treasures don't always shout for attention. Sometimes they're tucked away on a windswept coastline, quietly telling stories through stone and sheep.
BBC News
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Film brings to life 600-million-year story of Jersey
A campaign video has been launched as part of Jersey's bid for worldwide recognition of the geological significance of its Heritage is hoping to gain accreditation as a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Global successful, Jersey would be added to the list of more than 200 Geoparks across the video named A Symphony of Creation features the story of an island forged by fire, ice and sea. Visit Jersey said the film brought to life the raw, elemental story of Jersey's formation. Geosites featured in the campaign included La Couperon, Les Blanches Banques, Plémont, Le Pulec, Devil's Hole and Le Pinacle. Each tells a chapter in the island's 600-million-year story, Visit Jersey said. 'Build community' Paul Chambers, head of Jersey Island Geopark, said: "The campaign aims to raise awareness and build community support as Jersey enters the next stage of the submission process for UNESCO designation. "The film takes viewers on a visual and auditory journey through the Island's deep-time creation story – told not with words, but through the universal languages of music and nature."Visit Jersey said the benefits of becoming a UNESCO Global Geopark included sustainable tourism, environmental advocacy, education and engagement and global recognition. The campaign was led by the Jersey Island Geopark team and supported by Visit Jersey and ArtHouse Jersey.
