The Indonesian permanent representative for UNESCO in Paris T.A. Fauzi Soelaiman informed ANTARA in London on Sunday that UNESCO had recognized the Blambangan biosphere reserve as part of the World Biosphere Reserve Network.
The districts of Banyuwangi, Jember, Bondowoso, and Situbondo border the Blambangan biosphere reserve in the Indonesian province of East Java.
Soelaiman noted that the inclusion of the Blambangan biosphere reserve into the World Biosphere Network has demonstrated a greater level of commitment and awareness by the local government towards realizing sustainable development and conservation.
He expressed hope that, in the near future, Indonesia would increase the number of biosphere reserves in a bid to support the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
With the inclusion of the Blambangan biosphere reserve into the World Biosphere Network, UNESCO has recognized 11 biosphere reserves in Indonesia: Cibodas biosphere reserve, Comodo biosphere reserve, Lore Lindu, and Tanjung Putting added in 1977; Pulau Siberut and Gunung Leuser in 1981; Giam Siak Kecil Bukit Batu in 2009; Wakatobi in 2012; Bromo Tengger Semeru Arjuno and Taka Bonerate in 2015; and Blambangan in 2016.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2016
