Geopark sebagai Peraga Pembangunan Lestari Wilayah (Geopark as a Model for Regional Sustainable Development)

Ibrahim Komoo (Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, komoo@ukm.my)

Abstract


Geopark is an innovative conservation approach for protection of the heritage, and encourage scientific research, public education and local economic development. Initially, a geopark is defined as a nationally protected area containing a number of geological heritage sites of particular importance, rarity or aesthetic appeal, which can be developed as part of an integrated concept of protection, education and sustainable development. Recently, the concept of geopark has evolved and not just restricted to protected areas. It has become a development tool or branding of an area, taking into consideration the balance between nature-culture conservation, geotourism activities and local community well-being. Within the conservation program, the emphasis is not only to protect geoheritage sites, but it encourages the biodiversity and cultural heritage to be conserved in an integrated manner. The introduction of geotourism as a special tourism product has also triggered the popularisation of knowledge-based tourism, which promotes higher income economy with lower impacts to natural resources. Local community is becoming more engaged and actively participating in the development of geopark, thus able to take the opportunity to enhance their economic activities. This article highlights the history and the evolution of geopark concept towards promoting regional sustainable development. The model is introduced based on a development framework that gives emphasis to three important components: heritage conservation; community development; and economic development. In line with this framework, the evolution of Langkawi as a member of the Global Geoparks Network focuses on conservation of heritage resource development, environmentally friendly tourism infrastructure development and the availability of innovative heritage resource-based tourism products.

Keywords: Geopark, heritage, governance, sustainable development, transition management

ABSTRAK

Geopark merupakan pendekatan pemuliharaan yang inovatif untuk memelihara warisan, dan menggalakkan penyelidikan saintifik, pendidikan awam dan pembangunan ekonomi tempatan. Pada peringkat awal, geopark ditakrifkan sebagai kawasan pemeliharaan bertaraf kebangsaan yang mengandungi tapak warisan geologi penting, jarang jumpaan atau bernilai estetik tinggi, dan boleh dibangunkan daripada perspektif pemuliharaan, pendidikan dan pembangunan lestari. Kebelakangan ini, konsep geopark telah berkembang dan tidak lagi tertumpu kepada pemeliharaan kawasan. Konsep tersebut telah menjadi alat pembangunan atau jenama sesuatu kawasan yang berjaya mengimbangi keperluan pemuliharaan sumber tabii-budaya, aktiviti geopelancongan dan kesejahteraan komuniti tempatan. Dalam program pemuliharaan, penekanan bukan sahaja kepada pemeliharaan tapak geowarisan, tetapi geopark turut menggalakkan pemuliharaan warisan budaya dan kepelbagaian biologi secara terintegrasi. Geopelancongan diperkenalkan sebagai produk pelancongan khas yang mampu menggerakkan pelancongan berasaskan pengetahuan bagi mempromosi pendapatan ekonomi tinggi sambil mengurangkan impak terhadap sumber asli. Komuniti tempatan pula terangsang untuk turut serta dan terlibat secara aktif dalam pembangunan geopark serta meningkatkan sosio-ekonomi mereka. Makalah ini membincangkan sejarah dan evolusi konsep geopark ke arah mempromosi pembangunan lestari wilayah. Geopark sebagai peraga pembangunan lestari wilayah diperkenalkan berasaskan kerangka pembangunan yang memberikan perhatian kepada tiga komponen utama, iaitu pemuliharaan warisan, pembangunan komuniti dan pembangunan ekonomi. Perkembangan Langkawi sebagai ahli Global Geoparks Network pula memberikan penekanan kepada pembangunan pemuliharaan sumber warisan (geologi, biologi dan budaya), pembangunan infrastruktur pelancongan mesra alam dan penyediaan produk pelancongan berinovatif berasaskan sumber warisan.

Kata kunci: Geopark, warisan, governans, pembangunan lestari, pengurusan transisi


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References


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