Once celebrated as a symbol of geological wonder and cultural richness, the Toba Caldera, Indonesia’s pride and UNESCO-recognized Global Geopark, is now at risk of losing its prestigious status. The clock is ticking, and if improvements aren’t made soon, this world-class heritage site could be stripped of its title. What’s behind this alarming possibility?
Bane Raja Manalu, a member of Commission VII of the Indonesian House of Representatives, has sounded the alarm. He reminded the government that UNESCO had issued a yellow card in September 2023, demanding better governance of the site. The warning came with a two-year deadline. If ignored, the Toba Caldera could be delisted from the UNESCO Global Geopark network.
“Don’t let Toba lose its Global Geopark status from UNESCO. That would be regrettable,” Bane stated, as quoted by Antara.
The core issue lies in management. Bane emphasized the importance of educating the public about why proper governance of the Toba Caldera Geopark matters. According to him, the geopark status should be more than a label—it should serve as a driving force to improve local livelihoods through sustainable tourism.
“Status geopark bukan label yang otomatis membuat Danau Toba jadi destinasi unggulan. Label geopark juga bukan tujuan akhir, melainkan harus dipertanggungjawabkan,” he said.
He also questioned whether the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) was the right institution to oversee the geopark. With so many competing priorities, there’s concern that the geopark might not be getting the attention it deserves.
“With so many responsibilities already under ESDM, there’s concern that geopark management isn’t being prioritized. Yet gaining UNESCO geopark status was no easy feat,” Bane argued.
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His concern didn’t stop there. Bane also urged local governments not to make abrupt changes in leadership or policies related to the Toba Caldera Geopark. Stability, he said, is key to proving Indonesia’s seriousness in maintaining the site.
That urgency is driven by the upcoming reassessment. UNESCO assessors are scheduled to revisit the geopark in June 2025 to evaluate whether the site has addressed the shortcomings flagged during the previous review.
“Semoga dalam sisa waktu satu-dua bulan ke depan pengelolaan Danau Toba bisa menunjukkan tren positif, dan UNESCO tidak mencabut keanggotaan Geopark Kaldera Toba dari UNESCO Global Geopark,” Bane added.
The Toba Caldera isn’t just another tourist spot—it represents a deep link between geology, biodiversity, and centuries of local tradition. Losing its global status would be more than just a bureaucratic failure; it would be a cultural loss felt across generations.
