Geotourism / Geoturystyka
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ISSN 1731-0830
e-ISSN: 2353-3641
Issue Date
2024
Volume
Vol. 21
Number
No. 3-4 (78-79)
Description
Journal Volume
Geotourism / Geoturystyka
Vol. 21 (2024)
Projects
Pages
Articles
A new partnership framework for education with geoparks at its core: a proposal through the evaluation of the school education program in Shikaoi, Japan
(Wydawnictwa AGH, 2024) Xiang, Shirou; Watanabe, Teiji
The primary objectives of geoparks are to conserve geoheritage, enhance public awareness and understanding of geoscience, and drive sustainable economic growth in local communities. Education acts as the cornerstone in achieving these three objectives, as it provides the necessary foundation for their realization. This study proposes a new educational framework to promote the sustainable development of geoparks by evaluating the effecacy of the past geoeducation program. Specifically, this study focused on the Tokachi-Shikaoi Geopark and Hokkaido Shikaoi High School. A mixed methodology was employed, including content analysis of the textbooks, online questionnaire surveys of high school students, and field interviews with key informants. The results revealed that while geoeducation with well-prepared textbooks was encouraged in schools in Shikaoi Town until 2018, there is a need to revitalize geopark education in an alternative way for the future. We proposed a new partnership framework for the educational program among the geopark, universities, elementary, junior high, and high schools, and other stakeholders to maximize the geopark resources in the proposed program through the effective use of existing textbook assets. The results of the questionnaire surveys found that not only indoor learning with textbooks, but also outdoor learning at geosites is important. The results of the interview survey suggested the need to offer training and support for schoolteachers. To address budget constraints, this study proposed the inclusion of support from universities and the introduction of e-textbooks featuring geopark-related knowledge. This study highlights the crucial role of education in promoting sustainable development in Tokachi-Shikaoi Geopark. The insights gained have broader implications for education in other geoparks, offering valuable guidance for enhancing the quality and effectiveness of education in geoparks.
Spatial variation on hydrogeochemical parameter in the Hetauda Valley, central Nepal
(Wydawnictwa AGH, 2024) Kafle, Devaki; Gautam, Urusha; Pathak, Dinesh; Rawat, Rewant K.
Water is a requisite source for human survival, facing increasing issues and challenges in terms of both quantity and quality due to exacerbated global populations and urbanization trends. This increased demand has caused a decline in the overall availability and quality of water resources. Hetauda, serving as the administrative center of Bagmati Province, has emerged as a key destination for employment services along with a good potential zone for geotourism closely connected to its diverse geological features and water resources. However, excessive utilization, depletion, and extensive pollution of surface water sources in the region have underscored the importance of exploring groundwater for agricultural, and domestic needs along with decreasing the possibilities for geotourism. As the study area lies in the Hetauda Valley, to address this concern, water samples from 34 different sources such as dug wells, boreholes, and springs were collected. A thorough analysis of physicochemical parameters was conducted to evaluate water quality, revealing notable variations across locations, including the presence of iron and arsenic traces in specific samples. The Weighted Arithmetic Index Method was used to calculate the Water Quality Index (WQI) showing that certain water sources had very good quality while few weren’t appropriate for human consumption. The Piper diagram indicates the dominancy of calcium ions in cations and chloride in anions. The stiff diagram shows that the ions Na + K > Ca > Mg dominate the composition of the cations, whilst HCO?? > Cl? > SO??? dominates the anions. Besides, the multivariate statistical analysis through Principal Component Analysis was executed to support these hydrochemical findings. In conclusion, this research underscores the critical necessity for sustainable water management strategies in the study area, advocating for the prudent exploration of groundwater while addressing the challenges posed by contaminants, thus ensuring the availability of safe and sufficient water resources in the region.
Rocks, ridges, and recreation: the geotourism renaissance in Dhaubadi area of Gandaki province, western Nepal
(Wydawnictwa AGH, 2024) Lamsal, Sunil; Dhakal, Ashok; Maharjan, Suman; Paudyal, Kabi Raj
This study aims to assess new and known sites along the Kawasoti–Dhaubadi–Dedgaun–Kaligandaki route for geotourism potential based on regional geology, geomorphology, and socio-cultural factors. This study includes the methods to identify geosites, geoheritage, and geomorphosites of the area by field visits including data collection and mapping. It explores the diverse tectonic zones including Dun Valley, Siwalik and the Lesser Himalaya bound by significant tectonic features like the Central Churia Thrust, the Main Boundary Thrust, and the Devachuli Thrust. The presence of plant fossils in Siwalik and Gondwana rocks, the renowned Dhaubadi iron deposit, and coal seem to enhance the geotourism potential. The Ramche landslide can be emphasized as a site for landslide research. The region features from the lowland of Narayani River with the Chitwan National Park to the Ghoral Conservation Area at high hill morphology. The captivating experiences of the Dhaubadi area’s changing climate, panoramic mountain views, and the Kali Gandaki River enhance its charm parallelly with cultural and historical sites like Maharajathan, Devachuli temples, and Rudrapurgadi. The unique culture of the Tharu and Magar community and trekking sites like Dhaubadi and Devachuli hills boost the potential of the area. Overall, the study highlights the Dhaubadi area’s geotourism scenarios and proposed for in-situ geoconservation and geoparks development.
Public open spaces and geotourism development in Pokhara metropolitan city, Nepal
(Wydawnictwa AGH, 2024) Pokharel, Ramjee Prasad; Khanal, Narendra Raj
Public open spaces (POS) are an integral part of the built-up area. They provide a platform for local as well as foreign visitors for recreation, socialization, and stimulation in a diverse environment. POS is a site with unique and attractive geological, geomorphological, landscape and socio-cultural environments are used for geotourism development. This paper discusses the development of geotourism in public open spaces in Pokhara Metropolitan City (PMC) and analyzes the perception of visitors towards the provisions of the particular POS. This study has applied an exploratory research design while primary information was obtained from a field observation with a checklist and patch visitors’ related records from POS. Similarly, visitors’ opinions were obtained through a structured questionnaire. Out of 277 public open spaces so far mapped in PMC, more than 70 patches have a potential for geotourism development and, 18 public open spaces are developed as sites of geotourism. However, only seven of them are managed systematically with the provision of formal institutions collecting revenue from visitors’ entry fees. Regarding the visitor’s satisfaction towards the development and facilities, about 23% of visitors are highly satisfied and another 38% are satisfied. Patches described as highly satisfied are more developed and have more visitors. The annual revenue of these seven POS also confirms that proper development of other POS as geotourism destinations, will further contribute to the economic prosperity of PMC. Moreover, its surrounding areas will have higher prospects of developing as global geopark.
Exploring the potential of geotourism along the trek route of the Pokhara Ghandruk section of Gandaki Province, Nepal
(Wydawnictwa AGH, 2024) Pandey, Sanjeeb; Paudyal, Kabi Raj
Geoconservation enhances tourist knowledge of a site’s geology, going beyond surface appreciation. Geotourism emphasizes geology and landscape, contributing to geodiversity conservation through various activities. While the Pokhara Ghandruk area in Gandaki Province is renowned for tourism, it remains unexplored from a geotourism perspective. The study focuses on identifying key geoconservation and geotourism sites for national economic development by systematic geological survey with map preparation highlighting distinctive geological, geomorphic, cultural, heritage and site-seeing features of each site. The region boasts several significant sites, such as Pokhara Valley known for its caves, lakes, and the Seti River gorge. Pokhara canyoning provides thrilling water geoadventures on quartzite cliffs. Naudanda offers breathtaking views of Pokhara Valley and the Annapurna range. Poon Hill and Khumai Danda serve as stunning vantage points for observing snow-capped mountains. The Mardi and Annapurna trek routes, along with Ghandruk Landruk Lwang Dhampus, offers geologically significant sites, including unique rock outcrops due to its passage through the Mahabharat Thrust and the Main Central Thrust (MCT) and exhibit potentiality for rock climbing centers, hot springs, and geocultural parks capitalizing on Gurung hospitality and rich traditions to boost tourism and preserve geoheritage. The study recommends the establishment of geotrails and a geopark within this region.