Abstract

Enhancing Lives and Livelihood Through Inclusive and Sustainable Management of Natural Resources

Sustainable Natural Resources Management Trough Geoparks

 Mega Fatimah Rosana

Faculty of Geological Engineering, Universitas Padjadjaran

mega.fatimah.rosana@unpad.ac.id.

Abstract

Our earth has been blessed with extraordinary natural wealth, both in the form of biodiversity (flora and fauna) and the diversity of natural resources (rocks and minerals, oil and gas, water, geothermal). Optimal utilization of this natural resource wealth will be able to bring life and prosperity to all nations in the world.

However, we need to realize that overexploitation without good planning will unavoidable disasters. As a result of natural resource management that does not pay attention to balance and environmental sustainability, it will lead to degradation of both quality and quantity. The forest that is the pride, its area, decreases very quickly every year. Several types of flora and fauna have begun to be threatened with extinction. The waters began to be polluted, so the ecosystem became disturbed. The exploitation of mineral resources also begins to damage the balance and preservation of nature due to the excavation, processing, and disposal of waste that is not adequately controlled.

It's essential to improve the lives and livelihoods of our generation; inclusive and sustainable natural resource management is needed, one of which is through the Geoparks program.

Since 2004 Unesco has collaborated with several countries in Europe and China to form an organization called the "Global Geoparks Network (GGN)." Geopark is a concept of managing an area with a diverse geological heritage of international value,  biodiversity, and cultural diversity integrated with its geological site. It is managed holistically to benefit conservation, education, and sustainable economic development by involving the people living in the area.

This program has become very popular in UNESCO member countries since it was ratified as an official UNESCO program with the new label "Unesco Global Geopark (UGGp) in 2015. Until April 2022, there were 177 UNESCO Global Geoparks spread across 46 countries.

Through 16 focus Geoparks programs and integration with seven goals from 17 SDGs, geoparks have proven successful in environmental management efforts by educating the public about natural resource management. Furthermore, the community can get economic benefits and sustainable development from the actions that have been made to preserve natural resources and the environment within the Geopark area.

This Geoparks program is a concrete example of our efforts to Enhancing Lives and Livelihoods Through Inclusive and Sustainable Natural Resource Management.

Keywords : Natural Resources; Geoparks, Sustainable Developments