Synergies and Conflicts in Dual-Designated UNESCO Sites: Managing Governance, Conservation, Tourism, and Community Engagement at Mount Hakusan Global Geopark and Biosphere Reserve, Japan

Aida Mammadova (), Susan Maree May, Yoko Tomita and Seira Harada
Additional contact information
Aida Mammadova: International Research Center for Japan Studies, Kanazawa University, Kakuma Machi, Kanazawa 920-1192, Ishikawa, Japan
Susan Maree May: Hakusan Tedorigawa Geopark Promotion Council, 2-1 Kuramitsu, Hakusan 924-0865, Ishikawa, Japan
Yoko Tomita: Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability Operating Unit Ishikawa/Kanazawa (OUIK), United Nations University, 2-1-1 Hirosaka, Kanazawa 920-0962, Ishikawa, Japan
Seira Harada: School of Human and Socio-Environment Studies, Kanazawa University, Kakuma Machi, Kanazawa 920-1192, Ishikawa, Japan

Land, 2025, vol. 14, issue 3, 1-21

Abstract: UNESCO’s dual designations of Biosphere Reserves (BRs) and Global Geoparks (UGGps) offer unique opportunities for integrating biodiversity and geodiversity conservation with sustainable development. This study investigates the synergies and conflicts between these designations at Mount Hakusan, Japan, the country’s only site with overlapping BR and UGGp territories. Employing qualitative methods, including semi-structured interviews and document analysis, the research highlights key governance challenges, conservation impacts, and community engagement outcomes. Findings highlight key synergies, including enhanced global recognition, collaborative educational initiatives, and the potential for interdisciplinary conservation efforts. However, the study also identifies significant conflicts, such as governance inefficiencies, budgetary constraints, and tensions between biodiversity conservation and geotourism priorities. While the BR framework emphasizes ecosystem protection, the UGGp’s focus on geotourism can create challenges in balancing conservation with economic development. Furthermore, low public awareness and limited youth engagement pose barriers to fully realizing the potential benefits of both designations. Recommendations are provided for integrated management strategies, emphasizing multi-stakeholder collaboration, and enhancing community participation to align conservation and tourism objectives. The study enhances the understanding of managing Multi-Internationally Designated Areas (MIDAs) and offers practical strategies to support global conservation and sustainable development initiatives.

Keywords: UNESCO Biosphere Reserves; Global Geoparks; Mount Hakusan; sustainable development; governance; conservation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/3/488/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/3/488/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jlands:v:14:y:2025:i:3:p:488-:d:1600212

Access Statistics for this article

Land is currently edited by Ms. Carol Ma

More articles in Land from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().