SBY DELIBERATELY BECOME AMBASSADOR OF TOBA CALDERA GEOPARK
Unpri Proactively Prepares Lake Toba to be Registered as a Member of UNESCO GGN
Based on scientific data, Lake Toba is the caldera of Mount Toba which was formed by a supervolcano eruption around 74,000 years ago. The eruption was the largest in the history of the planet earth with a Volcanic Eruption Index (VEI) of 8 or around 100 times the eruption of Mount Tambora, thus having an impact on global climate change. This was stated by the Advisor of the RE Foundation Dr. RE Nainggolan, M.M., accompanied by the Head of BPH Universitas Prima Indonesia Dr. Tommy Leonard, S.H., M.Kn., Friday (6/26).
RE Nanggolan said that the atmospheric temperature dropped 3-5˚C due to volcanic ash covering almost half of the earth's surface, even the volcanic ash layer deposit of Mount Toba was found to be 15 cm thick, covering the continent of South Asia to East Africa. The prolonged winter occurred for 6-10 years and killed most of the human population, as well as affecting human genetics from the perspective of evolutionary theory. Until now, there are still many international geologists who are interested in researching the largest volcanic lake in the world.
RE Nainggolan also explained that Lake Toba not only offers extraordinary natural beauty, but also offers various potentials to be explored from the research/academic, economic, social and cultural aspects. So Unpri together with the RE Foundation have designed a real agenda, to make Lake Toba a success so that it is registered in the UNESCO Global Geopark Network (GGN).
"This effort has also received support from the 6th Former President of the Republic of Indonesia, Dr. H. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who is willing to become the Ambassador of the Toba Caldera Geopark," said the Unpri advisor convincingly. In relation to this, said RE Nanggolan, his party has received information that the UNESCO assessor team will visit the Toba Caldera in early July 2015.
He expressed his hope that the people of North Sumatra, especially those around Lake Toba, would provide full support and enthusiastically welcome the arrival of the UNESCO assessor team. "If Lake Toba succeeds in becoming a UNESCO GGN, then there will be many benefits that can be felt by the community. The definite benefit is that Lake Toba will be visited by many foreign tourists and geological researchers, which of course will have a positive impact on the economy of the people around Lake Toba," said RE Nainggolan.
In addition, said RE Nainggolan again, UNESCO will publicize the potential of Lake Toba widely to the international community, so that in turn it will encourage conservation or protection of nature in the area and spur an increase in community income.
Unpri as one of the most developed private universities in North Sumatra, said RE Nainggolan, has been involved and proactive, both before the visit and during the visit of the UNESCO Assessor team. Unpri's support is in the form of socialization activities to related stakeholders, to the local community and other activities.
It is hoped that in the end, the full support and enthusiasm shown by all parties can convince the UNESCO assessor team to make the decision to make Lake Toba one of the world heritages registered in the UNESCO GGN.
Group photo of the UNPRI and RE Foundation preparatory meeting to welcome the visit of the UNESCO assessor team.
Visit of UNPRI and RE Foundation to the residence of the 6th President of the Republic of Indonesia, Mr. Dr. H. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in preparation for the Toba Caldera Geopark as UNESCO's Global Geopark Network