Indonesia's Geological Wealth: The Story of Belitung Recovering from UNESCO's Yellow Card

Belitong UNESCO Global Geopark (UGGp) has passed one of the critical assessments for protected Conservation area management. After receiving a Yellow Card during the 2024 revalidation process, this geopark located in the Bangka Belitung Islands was granted a Green Card recommendation at the 11th Session of the UNESCO Global Geoparks Council held in Paris, 2-4 November 2026.

This outcome proves that the evaluation period can be effectively utilised to improve area governance. Over the past two years, the Belitong UGGp Management Authority worked alongside local governments to implement a series of measures addressing UNESCO's formal recommendations.

Two primary issues were prioritised for resolution: unregulated commercialisation of Satam Stone, and compliance standards for Sea Turtle Conservation. Both matters are directly tied to preserving geological heritage and biodiversity, which form the core identity of the Belitong region.

Belitung Regency and East Belitung Regency administrations issued official circulars banning all commercial trade of Satam Stone. Meanwhile, formal Sea Turtle Conservation operations were centralised on Cina Island, under the management of the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries.

These efforts received official appreciation during the revalidation session. One Council delegate even stated that Belitong qualifies as a best practice reference for other geoparks worldwide that have previously been issued Yellow Card status.

From Yellow Card To Successful Recovery

Under UNESCO procedures, a Yellow Card is issued when a geopark is assessed as not yet fully meeting all established accreditation criteria. Site management teams are granted a 2-year period to implement required improvements before undergoing the follow-up evaluation.

When all recommendations have been properly addressed and the site once again satisfies all requirements, the geopark becomes eligible to receive a Green Card. This status allows the area to retain its official UNESCO recognition for an additional 4-year period.

Belitong was formally designated as a UNESCO Global Geopark on 15 April 2021. The region's primary Draw is its exceptional geological heritage, including ancient granite formations and Satam Stone, a unique geological signature exclusive to Belitung.

Successfully passing this revalidation confirms that global geopark status is not a permanent, permanent entitlement.

UNESCO conducts full revalidation assessments every four years, to audit management quality, geological heritage protection, public education programmes, and the area's concrete contribution to sustainable local development.

Geotourism Must Deliver Tangible Benefits

The Ministry of Tourism supported Belitong's governance improvements through a national seminar and geopark management capacity building workshops held in September 2025.

Further collaborative work included an international seminar focused on sustainable Marine Tourism and community resilience for island geoparks, hosted in June 2026.

Additional support included installation of 40 educational safety notice boards across three geosites, plus on-board destination promotion announcements delivered to all arriving Citilink passengers at H.A.S. Hanandjoeddin International Airport.

These measures demonstrate that effective geopark management cannot focus solely on protecting rock formations and landscapes. Visitor communication, safety protocols, public education, and active local community participation are all equally critical components to maintaining a responsible, high quality destination.

As of 2026, UNESCO officially lists 241 global geoparks across 51 countries worldwide. Every accredited site is required to integrate conservation, education and sustainable development, with formal inclusion of local communities at all stages.

For Belitong, successfully regaining Green Card status only marks the beginning of the next phase of responsibility. The ongoing challenge will be to align Satam Stone protection, sea turtle conservation and Tourism development in balanced harmony, so that this prestigious international recognition delivers real, tangible benefits for local residents.