Bayah Dome Geopark

The Lebak Regency Government predicts that the Bayah Dome Geopark will be designated as a national geopark by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) in 2022.

However, the designation of one of the Lebak Regency Government's major projects in strengthening this tourism vision is only targeted to be carried out in 2023.

"God willing, this year the information will be designated together with Ujung Kulon Pandeglang. If the initial target is in 2023," said the Secretary of the Lebak Regency Research and Development Agency, Widi Ferdian, to BantenHits, Monday, January 10, 2022.

Widi hopes that the designation of Bayah Dome as a national geopark will further solidify Lebak as a national leading tourism area based on local potential.

"As our development policy direction, this year we will increase transportation accessibility, especially through the improvement of the Regency road and the development of facilities and infrastructure for leading tourism destinations," said this bespectacled man.

Widi explained that the objective of the designation of the Bayah Dome Geopark is to realize the Bayah Dome Geopark as an inclusive and worldwide tourist destination.

"The mission of the Bayah Dome Geopark is to preserve the diversity of geology, culture, and biodiversity through conservation efforts to maintain the harmony between the natural environment and the man-made environment," he said.

In addition, Bayah Dome is also building a sustainable community economy based on tourism and creative economy development, and creating a professionally managed institutional management oriented towards service and potential development.

"One of the missions of the Bayah Dome Geopark is also to develop education, research, and science to increase public appreciation of the earth's heritage," he said.

According to Widi, the Bayah Dome Geopark covers 12 sub-districts in Lebak Regency, namely Sajira Sub-district, Leuwidamar Sub-district, Muncang Sub-district, Cipanas Sub-district, Sobang Sub-district, Lebakgedong Sub-district, Cibeber Sub-district, Cilograng Sub-district, Bayah Sub-district, Panggarangan Sub-district, Cihara Sub-district, and Malingping Sub-district.

"We are optimistic about making Lebak a national tourist destination, to exploit potential without damaging the environment but towards a new direction of empowerment," he said.

Meanwhile, Lebak Secretary Budi Santoso asked the sub-district heads and village heads included in the Bayah Dome Geopark area to socialize and encourage the community to also protect and preserve the existing geological heritage in their area.

"I am confident that after this pandemic and onwards, geopark natural tourism will be the initial trigger for economic recovery that absorbs employment and becomes a multiplier effect for other sectors," Budi said.