Study of geotourism development in Batumilmil Karst, Langkat, Sumatera Utara

Abstract

Karst of Batumilmil comprises many unique geomorphological features such as caves, rivers, and mountainous ranges. Situated at the outskirt of the Biosphere Reserves of Leuser National Park, this area is wide open for geotourism development. This paper aims to study the potencies from Karst of Batumilmil to be developed into geotourism. Using data obtained from field surveys and visualized by Geographic Information System, we can find and design the recreational resources and formulate the development strategies toward them. Our study finds six caves as the main geotourism sites for activities like cave exploration and combined with the jungle tracking and river tubing as the secondary or supporting tourism attraction. Each cave has its characteristics that determine the geotourism activities and the carrying capacity. We also discover that each cave provides high scientific values, showing how the geological process of uplifting to form three cave levels. We conclude that Karst of Batumilmil has huge potential to be developed as geotourism destination with the strategy for this development consists of satisfying sustainability, serving educational purposes, and also balancing environmental, physical, and mental health.