Assessment of Kedung Tolok Waterfall as a new geosite potential in Bantul, Yogyakarta

Abstract

Kedung Tolok Waterfall has the potential to be promoted as a new geosite in the Yogyakarta geoheritage area. This waterfall is located in Selopamioro Village, Imogiri Subdistrict, Bantul Regency, DIY. Physiographically, this waterfall is included in the southern mountain zone of Java and is found in the Nglanggeran formation which has a constituent lithology in the form of volcanic breccia and agglomerate. The lithology of the Kedung Tolok Waterfall has evidence of recorded marine volcanic deposits which gives this object the potential to be promoted as a geosite. By promoting this object as a geosite, it will get protection and conservation from the government and increase exposure which will bring an economic increase for the local community. Therefore, this study aims to assess the feasibility of Kedung Tolok Waterfall as a new geosite in the Yogyakarta geoheritage area both in terms of tourism, geodiversity, and scientific value. The research uses geosite assessment, which includes intrinsic and scientific value, education value, economic value, conservation value, and additional value to determine its feasibility as a geosite object. Scientific value assesses the level of object diversity, distinctiveness, integrity, and scientific knowledge of the object. Educational value assesses representation, pedagogical use, educational products, and use of the object for education. Economic value assesses accessibility, local products, and tourist infrastructure. conservation value assesses potential and ongoing risks, object destruction status and legal protection. Added value assesses cultural relations, ecology, and beauty of the object. The assessment results obtained, are a scientific value of 75%, an educational value of 37.5%, an economic value of 50%, a conservation value of 62.5%, an added value of 28.5%, and the results of the overall total value of 52.78% which includes feasible to become a geosite. However, there is a value with a low percentage, namely the value of education. Therefore, this research provides some development suggestions to increase the assessment value of Kedung Tolok Waterfall, such as the addition of educational products, appointment as an official geosite, and the creation of further research on cultural and ecological issues.