The Potencies of Cave Geo-Ecotourism Development in Tanjungsari District, Gunungkidul Regency, Yogyakarta Special Region

Abstract

Tanjungsari is one of the districts in the Gunungsewu Geopark area, Gunungkidul Regency. Since Gunungsewu was declared as a Global Geopark Network area by Unesco, the tourism sector in this area has grown rapidly. Tanjungsari District does not want to be left behind in developing the tourism sector. Therefore it is necessary to trigger the development of tourism. In this district, there are several caves that have the potential to be developed, including Cave Bentar, Cave Cabe, Cave Tritis, Cave Grengseng, and Cave Pakubon, which have their own uniqueness and appeal in terms of morphology, endokarst, and legends. The development of these potential places is expected to be able to improve the economic sector and the welfare of the surrounding community. In order for the caves in Tanjungsari District to be able to compete, the concept of development must be different and not yet developed in other places, namely cave geo-ecotourism. In connection with the above-mentioned matters, research, studies, and feasibility studies are conducted on the potential development of cave geo-ecotourism. The activities carried out include mapping the distribution of geomorphology, geological structures, subsurface conditions, underground water availability using the ERT geoelectric method, and cave tracking. The results of this study are a cave map and an inventory of the potential of the cave.

Application of Very Low Frequency (VLF) Method for Estimating Karst Underground River in Tanjungsari District

“…Gunungsewu karst is characterized by the presence of cone karst which is typical for the tropics. 4 The formation that builds the Gunungsewu karst topography is the Gunungsewu Carbonate Rock Group or known as the Wonosari Formation . 14 Gunungsewu carbonate rock is positioned above the volcanic rock of The Besole Group, dominated by bedded limestone and reef limestone.…”

“…The thickness of this limestone is thin to the north and getting thicker to the south. 4 From the results of hydrogeological research on groundwater aquifers in the Karst area in Wonosari, the only aquifer that potential in the Gunungkidul area is the Wonosari Formation. 14 .…”

“…14 . In this formation, the permeability is dominated by secondary permeability which appears as complex cracks and fractures 15 . Kusumayudha divides the Gunungsewu hydrogeological system into 3 parts, called the Panggang sub-system in the west, the Wonosari-Baron sub-system in the middle, and the Sadeng sub-system in the east.…”

“…The groundwater aquifer system in Tanjungari District is included in the karst aquifer system. 4 Karst aquifers have more complex hydrogeological characteristic than sedimentary aquifer systems. 5 The karst hydrogeological system has unique characteristics and is characterized by undeveloped surface aquifers.…”

“…The phenomenon of lineaments of the surface topography is very important to know because it can provide an early indication of the presence of subsurface water accumulation in karst areas. 4 .…”