inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) emphasized the importance of transforming cultural heritage management in Indonesia from a reactive approach to one based on risk mitigation to protect historical heritage from the threat of natural disasters.

The Head of the BNPB Disaster Data, Information, and Communication Center, Abdul Muhari, stated that as a country rich in cultural heritage but located in a disaster-prone area, Indonesia needs to integrate the protection of historical sites into a sustainable disaster resilience system.

"Cultural heritage is at risk of being damaged or lost due to disasters and conflict. As of April 13, 2026, 748 disasters have been recorded, dominated by floods and extreme weather, and our historical sites are also at risk," explained Abdul on Wednesday (4/15/2026).

He cited several historical records, such as the 2004 tsunami in Aceh, which destroyed more than 50 cultural sites, and the massive floods in November 2025, which damaged dozens of sites in Sumatra.

Furthermore, the threat of tidal flooding in Semarang's Old Town, Central Java, continues to threaten colonial buildings dating back more than a century, and the 2006 Yogyakarta earthquake damaged the structures of Borobudur and Prambanan temples.

According to Abdul, cultural heritage should not only be physically protected but also utilized as a source of learning, as ancient manuscripts and artifacts often hold knowledge about past disaster patterns.

To strengthen this effort, BNPB proposes strategic steps ranging from spatial data-based risk mapping through the InaRISK platform, strengthening building structures, and increasing the capacity of communities surrounding cultural heritage sites.

(ad/ndt/pr/rs)