THE ASIA - PACIFIC
GEOHERITAGE CONSERVATION INITIATIVES
MOHD SHAFEEA LEMAN
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia,
43600 Bangi, Malaysia.
Abstract: Geoheritage resources have long been recognized and protected in the Asia - Pacific region, by ancient communities for their
various basic necessity, beliefs and ritual purposes. These resources are
conserved as protected geoheritage sites, geological monuments, national parks
and world heritage sites. Lately, as we strive to show our appreciation towards
continuously eroded geoheritage resources, the establishment of new disciplines
related to geoheritage conservation and geotourism is ineluctable. Geological
features are described from heritage point of views and valued in terms of
geotourism revenue and public education. Through this new approach, an
increasing number of geoheritage resources has been recognised throughout the Asia - Pacific region. In the last decade, areas with a
substantial number of geoheritage sites are being upgraded into a geopark, both
national and under the UNESCO supported global network of national geoparks.
The growing popularity of the geopark concept was driven by the global passion
for sustainable development and by the success of the geotourism trade. The
future of geoheritage conservation however, relies very much on the quality of
geopark programmes and its implementation, particularly in relation to
conservation and public education.