Geodiversity and Geotourism in the Krayan Highlands: Exploring Connate Water Salt Formation and Sustainable Development Opportunities Mohamad Sapari Dwi Hadian(a), Mochmad Nursiyam Barkah(a), Iwan Fahlevi Setiawan (b), Ayu Krishna Yuliawati (c)
(a) Universitas Padjadjaran, Jalan Soekarno km 21 Jatinangor 45363 , email sapari[at]unpad.acid
(b) PPSDM Geominerba Kementerian ESDM, jalan Sudirman Bandung
(c) Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia, Jalan Setiabudi no 229 Bandung
Abstract
Krayan Plateau in North Kalimantan offers a unique wealth of geodiversity, including the process of salt formation from water connate that has been going on for millions of years. This potential for geodiversity opens up opportunities for the development of geotourism as a sustainable development effort.This study aims to explore the salt formation process in the Krayan Highlands and identify the potential for geodiversity that can be developed into a geotourism destination. This study uses a descriptive-analytical method with a phenomenological approach. Data were collected through interviews, observations, and literature studies involving participants from local communities, geologists, and tourism actors. Data analysis was carried out to understand the salt formation process as well as identify the key geodiversity in the region.This research is expected to describe in detail the process of salt formation in the Krayan Plateau, which includes heating salt water connate until it evaporates and crystallizes into salt. This research is also expected to find that eight main geodiversity in the Krayan Highlands region have the potential to be developed into geotourism destinations. This development is expected to support sustainable development through geoconservation activities, interpretation at geosites, and improving the quality of human resources to manage the area.
Keywords: Geodiversity, Geotourism, The Krayan Highland, Garam, Connate Water
