Study for Development of Geotourism Potential in Edi Village Timor

Leste

Belazario Gusmão F. M. de Araujo

, Emeliano M. G. de Oliveira

, Nindyo Cahyo Kresnanto

Buddewi Sukindrawati

and Muhammad Kunta Biddinika

KM Consulting, Caicoli, Dili, Timor Leste

Department of Civil Engineering, Universitas Janabadra, Yogyakarta 55231, Indonesia

Keywords: Edi Maubisse, Geomorphosite, Geosite, Geotourism.

Abstract: Maubisse is one of the administrative posts of the Ainaro in Timor Leste, which is known to have a very high

interest of tourist attractions because of its cold weather and beautiful mountain views. However, those

attractive natural phenomena have not been fully used yet as educational attractions (as geotourism). The

purpose of this study is to conduct an inventory and interpretation of the geotourism potential in Maubisse,

especially in Suco Edi. This research was conducted in three phases: literature study, field research and data

analysis of the geotourism potential using quantitative and descriptive methods. The data analysis method

used was geosite and geomorphosite assessment based on certain parameters according to Kubalíková (2013).

The parameters used were scientific and intrinsic values: education, economy, conservation, and added value

possessed by a geosite.

1 INTRODUCTION

Geotourism is a scenic spot of natural tourism where

the main object is geodiversity through geological

tourism attraction to tourists, natural science

education and environmental conservation based on

geological phenomena. Accordingly, it can attract the

attention of tourist to visit the geotourism area and

will increase the local community’s income

economically (Rachmat, H., 2017).

Geotourism was first defined (Hose TA, 1995) in

England. There are two viewpoints of geotourism:

Purely geological and geomorphologically focused

Sustainable Tourism and Geographically Sustainable

Tourism, this emphasizes preservation of the

geographical sense of a place in general, beyond

simple geological and geomorphological features.

The aim of geotourism is to make visitors aware of,

and to gain some understanding of, the geological

features that surround them. Geotourism itself is a

tourist activity that is specifically focused on the

panorama and geological aspects (Newsome and

Dowling 2010). At its simplest geotourism is tourism

with some connection to geology or geomorphology

Development of certain areas into a Geotourism

region will certainly give a good impact people's lives

in various aspects of life such as economic, social,

cultural, and infrastructure. However, in determining

an area as a geotourism area, it needs to be analyzed

first. The analysis generally carried out is geosite and

geomorphosite analysis. Geosite and Geomorphosite

are landscapes that have potential as tourism sites and

have a value based on the perspective of human

assessment (Kubalíková, 2013). This analysis is

intended to provide an assessment of the specific

parameters such as the value of a scientific approach,

educational value, economic value, conservation

value and the value-added (beauty, cultural,

geological factors) in certain areas (Kubalíková,

2013).

2 RELATED WORKS

Maubisse (Maubesse, Mau-Bessi, Maobisse,

Maubise) is a historic town in the hills 70 km south of

Dili. It is one of the administrative posts of the

Ainaro, Timor Leste which is known to have a very

high interest of tourist attractions because of its cold

weather and beautiful mountain views. It’s about 3

hours traveling from Dili by motorbike and car and

from Maubisse town to Edi Village basically takes

about 1 hour by Motor and Car. Elevation and

coordinates: Elevation (approx.): 1430m Latitude

F.M. de Araujo, B., Oliveira, E., Kresnanto, N., Sukindrawati, B. and Biddinika, M.

Study for Development of Geotourism Potential in Edi Village Timor Leste.

DOI: 10.5220/0009880001550159

In Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Applied Science, Engineering and Social Sciences (ICASESS 2019), pages 155-159

ISBN: 978-989-758-452-7

155

(Lat): 8°50'17"S Longitude (Lon): 125°35'50"E

50'17"S. The geological map of Timor Leste and the

outcrop map of study area are shown in Figure 1 and

Figure 2 respectively.

Geotourism is an earth park where its potential is

measured based on geodiversity that has unique

geological characteristics with the beauty values of

natural objects in certain scales and distributions, as

well as integrating other forms of natural scenery and

cultural existence in regional uniqueness (Rachmat,

H., 2017). The geodiversity that has been identified in

the Timor-Leste territory is through regional

geological mapping in the Portuguese period (Audley

Charles, 1968), regional geology map of Dili sheet

(Bachri, S. & Situmorang, R.L.,1994) and also

regional geology map of Baucau sheet (Audley

Charles, 1986). Therefore, the general potential of

geodiversity in Timor-Leste are distributions of

complex rocks including the presence of rare fossils

in sedimentary rocks, physical geological phenomena

(complexity of geological structures) and also

variations of geomorphological landscape such as

islands, lakes, lagoons, hot springs, spring, waterfalls,

beaches, mountains, plateau, plains, rivers and caves.

Figure 1: Geological map of Timor Leste (Carvalho and

Lisboa, 2003).

Figure 2: Outcrop map of study area (Carvalho and Lisboa,

2003).

Based on the regional geology, the studied area is

part of Maubisse and Aitutu Formation with medium

corrugated mountain morphology unit to Structural

Mountain. The geological structures found in the

form of a sliding fault and thrust fault. The Formation

of Aituto, dating from the Triassic mid. - upp,

corresponds to an alternation of thin slates of

limestone, clayey and clayey shales, with

predominance of the carbonated component, whereas

the Wai Luli Formation, Triassics up. to the Middle

Jurassic, is characterized by an increase of the clayey

component. Its potential is linked to the joint

occurrence of more or less marly clays and limestone,

from which the cement industry is interested.

The potential of the Maubisse Formation, also

dating from the Permian, rests on the lower part of the

unit, which is about 400 m thick and where very thick

stands of massive limestone predominate. The upper

part of this Formation consists essentially of rocks of

an eruptive nature, about 500m thick. The limestone

are very poorly affected by metamorphism and

correspond to bio-carcasses of separatists cement,

very rich in fauna, with enhancement for crinoid

remains. They typically have red to pinkish tones, and

lighter tones, cream and gray may also occur. Their

noblest suitability will be for ornamental purposes,

and the use of different aggregates, especially for lime

and cement, in terms of light tones, can not be ruled

out.

Furthermore, geoconservation is the

environmental conservation which consists of the

singularity of geological phenomenon that needs to be

protected through geotourism programs (Crofts, R. &

Gordon, J.E., 2015). The geological conservation area

of Timor-Leste that has been identified from (Haig,

D.W. & McCartain, E., 2010) with the topic of

“Triassic Organic-Cemented Siliceous Agglutinated

Foraminifera from Timor Leste: Conservative

Development in Shallow Marine Environments”

amounts to four (4) areas are as follows; Area of

Tutuala, Area of Iliomar-Aliambata, Area of

Manatuto-Pualaca and Area of Ainaro-Maubisse.

According to Sharples, C., 2002, general reasons for

doing geoconservationare:

1. Geodiversity has a scientific value which is used

for human needs and related ecosystems

2. Characteristics of non-renewable geodiversity

3. Many sensitive geodiversity is easily damaged,

especially the risks caused by various human

activities

4. Providing knowledge information with the

fundamental principles of geoconservation

5. Provide information on geological conservation

status in Timor-Leste

6. Propose to Conservationists to give advice for

decision maker

7. Provide estimation on geoconservation.

ICASESS 2019 - International Conference on Applied Science, Engineering and Social Science

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Inventory and preliminary identification of

geodiversity data as the first phase in collecting and

improving the quality of information and also the

beginning of a database to make conservation area of

geological diversity. Very important data and a

fundamental basis of information for developing a

geoconservation area based on four points are as

follows (Crofts, R. & Gordon, J.E., 2014):

a. Scientific Value; Characterization of the

geodiversity and geoheritage values based on

their geological processes and history

b. Aesthetic Value; describes the formation of

geoheritage phenomena and various attractions

of geomorphological landscapes

c. Cultural Value; the location of the geoheritage

site is always associated with the culture of the

local community

d. Recreational Value; shows the relationship

between geoheritage sites with various tourism

activities, such as recreation, sports and

adventure.

3 METHODOLOGY

The method that used in this study is descriptive

explorative. Explorative descriptive research is

research that aims to explore extensively about things

or causes that influence the occurrence of something.

The main purpose of this type of research is to

systematically describe the facts and characteristics

of objects or subjects that are precisely examined,

related to this research, the situation that will be seen

is the potential of geotourism in Suco Edi, Maubisse,

Ainaro, Timor-Leste.

This study applies two (2) stages approaches i.e.

Literature Review and Field Observation. The aim of

reviewing existing literatures are to have a prior

understanding and accumulation stage of references

needed from various sources, especially about

geotourism and geology of Timor-Leste while Filed

Observation or Field Work is the stage of collecting

all pertinent geotourism objects in identifying the

general potential of geodiversity. There is one (1)

considered method applying in this research. It is

qualitative method such as "GIS Survey, Descriptive

and Interview to the community”. Lastly, this

database is used and analyzed using the Kubalíková

parameter 2013, to obtain the results of the feasibility

of the geotourism percentage.

4 RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

We have discovered three types of tourism resources

that are potential for geotourism: geological tourism,

geomorphological tourism and river tourism – all

located in nine sites (two geomorphosites and seven

geosites).

4.1 Pousada Geomorfosite

Pousada is located in Maubisse village in (1302 - m,

08 50’ 27,5’’-125 36’ 07,6”) perched on a lookout just

off the main road near the bend. It’s a Guesthouse set

in amazing gardens within old stone walls

(Portuguese colonial era), Considering the Hill top

location offers expansive views and history behind

this beautiful old place, the community, traditional

and culture in the surrounding area and based on

feasibility study, we consider it as a potential

geomorphosite for geotourism (89%).

4.2 Erus Manu Waterfall

It is located in Edi Village (1300 m, 08°51'41"0 S-

125°35'50" E). Erus Manu waterfall is the body of Edi

Erus rivers, water's steep fall from 4 meters height

over a rocky ledge of Limestone that fall downward

in to pool below with depth of 2 meters. The type of

this waterfall is horsetails. Horsetail is a type

waterfall in which water flows over a broad ledge,

usually an overhanging one, into a pool by keeping

contact with the underlying rock during its descent. In

fact, the local people use this place for swimming

recreation because the water is clear, clean and fresh.

The average geosite potential is 64% for Geotourism.

4.3 Haut Doner Waterfall

Haut Doner is the water's steep fall from 1-meter

height over of massive boulders of Limestone and

surrounded by red limestone outcrop that descending

in to pool below where the water is very clean, clear

and fresh with depth about 0.85 meter as the body of

Edi Erus river. It’s type of FAN waterfall that is a

steep angled cascade that fans out from a narrow

width at the top to a larger base at the bottom. Most

fans are also horsetails in that are maintain contact

with undering rock during their descent. It’s located

in Edi Village (1201 m, 08°51'42"5 S

‑ 125°37'40"8"S) The average geosite potential is

64% for Geotourism.

4.4 Ermanfoli Waterfall

Ermanfoli Waterfall is very clear clean and cold and

water's steep fall from 15 meters height over a

Study for Development of Geotourism Potential in Edi Village Timor Leste

157

bedrock of Clastic limestone (Maubisse Formation)

that falls downward without making contact with the

underlying rock in to pool below with depth of 2

meters. The waterfall has enough space between the

water and the rock that you can walk behind it. This

type of waterfall is known as plunge waterfall. The

Ermanfoli has a cave behind the waterfall that makes

it unique in and has historical story in it, where in the

conflicts times the Portuguese colonization and of the

Indonesian occupation the local people escape and

evacuate into the cave. The average geosite potential

is 59% for Geotourism. It is located Edi Village (1197

m, 08°51'42"2 S ‑ 125°37'44"0"S).

4.5 Ersulihatmau Waterfall

It’s water steeps fall from 1-meter height over of

massive boulders of limestone that descending in to

pool below where the water is very clean, clear and

fresh with depth about 0.73 meter as the body of Edi

Erus river. It’s type of fan waterfall that is a steep

angle cascaded that fans out from a narrow width at

the top to a larger base at the bottom Most fans are

also horsetails in that they maintain contact with

underlying rock during their descent. It is located in

Edi Village (1175m, 08°51'42"5 S‑ 125°37'40"8"S).

The average geosite potential is 64% for Geotourism.

4.6 Ermihis Waterfall

Its water steeps fall from 25 meters height over of

limestone (Maubisse Formation) that descending in to

pool below where the water is very clean, clear and

fresh with depth about 0.1 meter. It is type of FAN

waterfall that is a steepagled cascade that fans out

from a narrow width at the top to a larger base at the

bottom maintain contact with bedrock during their

fall downward. It’s located in Edi village (1165m, 08

51’ 45,9”125 37’ 57,4”). The average geosite

potential is 64% for Geotourism.

4.7 Erkuira Waterfall

Erkuira block waterfall is a type of "ledge" waterfall.

In a block waterfall, water falls from a wide river or

stream, and the fall is typically wider than it is tall.

The water drops over the vertical cliff with 5 meters

height over a rocky ledge of clastic limestone that fall

downward into the pool bellow with depth of 2

meters. It is located in Edi Village (1160 m,

08’’51’51,2”- 125’’38’03,7”). The average geosite

potential is 59%.

4.8 Debu Waterfall

Debu waterfall It is located in Edi Village (1160m,

08’51’58,5”-125 38’ 08,4”). The average geosite

potential is 59% for Geotourism. It is Slide waterfalls

can be considered a sub-type of horsetail. The water

glides down a relatively low angle slope, maintaining

continuous contact with bedrock of layered clastic

limestone. However, is that contact is constant

because of the shallow slope of the rock in slide

waterfalls (Height 11m, depth 2m).

4.9 Edi Simerah Waterfall

This geomorphosite is located in Edi Simerah Village

(2002m 08 51’ 31,3”-125 37’ 43,5”). The

geomorphosite of Edi Simerah shows landforms that

have acquired a scientific, cultural or historical,

aesthetic and/or social/economic. In the hill of Edi

Simerah there are complete component for a

geomorphosite. Raimerah Waterfall (Fan waterfall),

Traditional house of Edi Raimerah, small chapel

made of woods and Hill top location offers expansive

views of structural mountain landscape with average

potential to be develop for geotouristic destination

makes up to 69%.

A geotouristic tracking route map has been

designed. It is start from Pousada to Edi Village. It

normally takes about 1 hour by motorbike and car.

The road to Edi village is adventurous and the

surrounding view is amazing and in the middle of the

trip it’s better to take a stop in Ule Lefa strawberry

garden. Ule Lefa is well known as a ecotourism site

for strawberry farming (1411m, 08 50’30,3’ S -

125’37’ 14,5’’).

5 CONCLUSIONS

Edi Village has significant potential to be developed

as one of the geotourism destination in Maubisse,

Ainaro, Timor-Leste. The geotourism potential of

Suco Edi, we have discovered three types of tourism

resources: geological tourism, geomorphological

tourism and river tourism all located in nine sites (two

geomorphosites and seven geosites). The average

results of the feasibility study of the geotourism

potential in each of these sites are: Pousada

Geomorphosite 89%; Erus Manu Waterfall 64%;

Haut Doner Waterfall 64%; Ermanfoli Waterfall

59%; Er Sulihat Mau waterfall 64%; Er Mihis

Waterfall 64%; Er Kuira Waterfall 59%; Debu

Waterfall 59%; and Edi Simerah Geomorphosite

69%. Considering all the aspects above, which were

based on the quantification and comparison of the

various wonders between nature and geological

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processes that turns possible the implementation of

geotourism object, it shows that Suco Edi has tourism

resources that are suitable to be developed into

geotourism sites with an overall average feasibility

value of 65.66%. Recognizing that Edi is a rural

village, the development of geotourism in the area

would even be beneficial for a local and sustainable

economic development. Hence, infrastructure

development would be required as well as legislative

protection in order to use the geotourism resources of

the area to improve the living conditions of the local

community and to promote this village (and, thus,

Timor-Leste) in a wider scale. Community and local

leaders of Edi Village need protect those sites and

develop as much as possible and propose it to the

government for the further study and support

geotourism development in the potential area. Further

survey research is needed which is more focusing in

to the detailed on the geological condition and

process of the area. This place is recommended for

geologist students for the field study due to the

existence of geological essential features such as

beautiful and complex structures and unique lithology

that is Permian Maubisse formation. Highly

recommended to adventurer, traveler and nature lover

to explore this hidden beautiful remote Village of Edi

Maubisse.

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