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АКТУАЛЬНЫЕ ВОПРОСЫ РАЗВИТИЯ ТУРИСТСКИХ ТЕРРИТОРИЙ
УДК 338.484
CHARACTERISTIC OF JAPANESE GEOPARKS IN BOTTOM — UP MANAGEMENT; A REVIEW PAPER OF THE FIRST THREE UNESCO GLOBAL GEOPARKS OF JAPAN
А. Mammadova
Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
Abstract. Japanese Geoparks Network (JGN) in 2009 with seven regions as regular members, and in less than ten years JGN has registered 44 national geoparks. Japanese geoparks shows the strong linkage between the human settlements with the geologically active natural sites. Coexisting with natural disasters and active involvement of local residents in bottom-up management process and geotours promotion, are the main characteristics of Japanese Geoparks, which contributes for the regional sustainable development.
Keywords: Geopark, management system, conservation of the geological, natural and cultural heritages.
Geopark is an area which has the clearly defined geoheritages with preserved natural and cultural heritage. The territory of the Geoparks must be significantly large to provide socio-economic development through the promotion of the geotur-ism of the region. The management of Geoparks must include the strategies for the sustainable regional development and involve the local communities in bottom-up approaches. In 2004 with the support of UNESCO, the Global Geopark Network (GGN) was created, which is the non-profit organization with the network of the
worldwide members, who work together to develop common projects and ideas related to the geopark practices and management. Since its establishment, the total number of UNESCO Global Geoparks reached 140, from 38 countries. At the present moment, 9 Japanese geoparks are included in the GGN.
Since 2004, the interest in geoparks was increased among the Japanese geologist and some municipalities, who were conducting geological surveys. The first Japanese paper related to geoparks was published in 2005 (Iwamatsu-Hoshino, 2005) and by 2006 two Symposiums were conducted by NPO Corporation Geological Information Utilization and Promotion Initiative (GUPI) who played an important role in creation the platform to accumulate the geological information of the country. Researches of the geological sciences started to actively cooperate together with local authorities, private organizations and in 2007 they created the Japanese Geopark Liason Council. This council conducted exchanges of information related with geoparks, and encouraged other stakeholders to establish a clear application mechanism in Japan (Watanabe, 2008). After one year in May 2008, Japan Geopark Committee (JGC) was established with the involvement of National Ministries, Geological Survey of Japan (AIST) and several other agencies. JGC immediately started the application process and provided the candidacy of the first three Japanese geoparks to apply for the GGN. First three candidates and later recognized geoparks were Toya Caldera and Usu Volcano in Hokkaido, Itoigawa in Nii-gata and Unzen Volcanic area of the Shimabara peninsula in Nagasaki prefecture (Watanabe, 2010). Few months later, JGC also recognized the first seven National geoparks. This recognition contributed for the creation of the Japanese Geoparks Network (JGN) in 2009 with seven regions as regular members, and in less than ten years JGN has registered 44 national geoparks (Japanese Geopark Network, 2018). The number of academic researches participating in geopark activities increased and frequent paper, newspaper publications helped the concept of geopark to spread very fast among the general public. JGN created its own website where it shared regional information of each recognized geoparks and know-hows to address the local issues of geoparks in each region. It also functioned as the main center to conduct the Japanese Geopark symposiums and annual conventions. Due to the intensive and constant activities, since 2016, the Japanese National Commission for UNESCO officially recognized JGN as Japan National Committee and provided the authority to conduct the application system for the new candidates who would like
to be recognized as UNESCO Global Geoparks, as well as the Japanese National Geoparks. To be recognized in UNESCO Global Geopark, at first a geopark must be recognized by JGN as the Japanese National Geopark.
Management System
Due to the Bottom-Up approach Japanese geoparks are considered to have very successful management system, as they include collaborations between the local residents, scientists and local authorities, and educating local people in disaster management and geological sciences (Kikuchi et al., 2011). Japan is an island country, located on the boundaries of the tectonic plates, and most of Japanese ge-oparks address the issues related with the natural disasters, such as volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, tsunamis, landslides and etc. Thus, many geoparks have the similar approaches in defining the geoheritage sites, which will usually address one of those natural disasters. Human life in Japan was always depending with the natural events and on the processes of the ecosystem recovering after the disaster. Those sites of the natural geological events, created the unique landscapes with geological heritage sites and provided the opportunities for the human settlements. Now, most of Japanese geoparks promote the geotorism and provide the information about the geological history of the natural disaster together with the human response to the ecosystem restoration and management. Adaptation to the lifestyle and dealing with the consequences created by the natural disaster is one of the most important features of local residents and communities who live inside the geoparks. This kind of coexistence of human population with territorial area which has a significant geological activity (volcanic, earthquakes etc) and the ability to deal with those disasters by creating the region's specific culture, was particularly taken into the considered during the application processes of first Japanese Global Geoparks (Watanabe, 2011).
The main goals of Japanese geoparks are: Conservation of the geological, natural and cultural heritages of the specific region; Education in increasing awareness about the valuable geological and cultural resources and their connection with the human lifestyle; and Sustainable development in preserving the natural resources for the future generations. Also, the JGN works to popularize the Geoparks Model among the local people, as well as the geological and earth science within the local society. The reason for that, is that Japanese Geoparks differ significantly from European Geoparks in the number of geological activities which creates the
unique and ever-changing Japanese Archipelago. The level of awareness and knowledge about those geologically activities and their importance as the natural heritage sites can help local villagers to integrate those natural resources for the sustainable economic and social development. It is crucial for all geoparks, that the sustainable management is conducted with the involvement of the local communities, and JGC together with JGN conducts the certification processes of the local guides. Every four years' re-evaluation process is conducted to improve the activities of the local guides. These concepts contributed significantly in the creation of the new way of tourism, so called geo-ecotourism which became very popular in Japanese geoparks and is used as a new source of income for the local communities (Koizumi and Chakraborty 2016). Geo-ecotourism aims to develop human resources in both "geo"- geological and "eco"- ecosystem and ecological approaches, and conduct touristic activities with the scientific explanations. Special trainings, seminars and certification process to increase the number of local guides are constantly conducted within each National and Global Geoparks of Japan.
Overview offirst three recognized Global Geoparks of Japan Itoigawa Ge-
opark
The Itoigawa UNESCO Global Geopark is located in Itoigawa City, Niigata Prefecture, along the Sea of Japan in central Japan. In the central part of the City of Itoigawa lies the Itoigawa-Shizuoka Tectonic Line, a massive fault which divided the Japanese Islands into Southwest and Northeast Japan. This unique location created the distinct geological and topographical diversity, with various geological and cultural legacies which can be observed in the 24 geosites. Even before the recognition as Geopark, this area was very famous as touristic destination, but after being recognized as Global Geopark in 2009, the local people attitudes and motivations changed significantly towards the regional conservation activities (Takenouchi, 2011). In 2008, the Itoigawa geopark Promotion Citizens Association was created and after the recognition the number of the local citizens who were willing to contribute in geopark activities increased in the educational and touristic spheres. The number of citizens trying to become local guide increased and in 2009 "Geopark guide training course" was conducted 14 times with 312 participants, and 16 times with 350 participants in 2010. In spite that, the Itoigawa geopark is located inside the City of Itoigawa, local communities contributed in creating the regional development models in the mountainous villages of the region. Also they started actively
improving the geotourism opportunities by providing the tour menus for the visitors, considering the transportations, accommodations, food, guidance and etc. Besides, in 2009 Itoigawa Geopark signed Sister Geopark Agreement with Hong Kong Geopark (Geo-itoigawa, 2018), to cooperate in conservation and sustainable utilization of geological resources, education and research activates, and conduct the information sharing. Jointly they have created the scholastic activities with international network for younger generations as well conducted lectures, seminars to raise public awareness. As the result, the local's people involvement in the management system of Itoigawa Geopark, has one of the outstanding achievements in conservation and educational activities.
Unzen Volcanic Area Geopark
The topic of Unzen Volcanic Area UNESCO Global Geopark is "the coexis t-ence of an active volcano and human beings". This geopark has the entire territory of Shimabara Peninsula of Nagasaki Prefecture, with population of about 150,000 people. It is characterized by the number of active volcanoes with agricultural activities on the northers and eastern parts of the volcanic fan. For centuries local people were able to survive the serious volcanic eruptions, debris flows, tsunamis etc, originated in the area, and learned to utilize those natural resources for the daily living, such as soil fertilizations, hot springs and abundant spring water. These kind of practices created the specific culture and unique history of the region. Coexisting with active volcano, is something very unique and can rarely be found in any other Geoparks. Many buildings still remained after the last volcanic eruption in 1996, and Mount Unzen Disaster Memorial Hall was created to remind about the volcanic activities in the geoheritage sites. This kind of museum is unique in the world where one can experience the simulated volcanic eruption. Many educational activities are conducted here to pass the knowledge in disaster prevention and after volcanic eruption recovery history of this area.
Unzen Volcanic Area Geopark Promotion Office was established to constantly provide the latest information about geosites and local culture and since 2009 together with local guides they are repeatedly organizing geotours with geological and geographical information related to the specificity of this Geopark. Only for local people from 2009 to 2010, around 68 geotours were organized, which helped local people to re-evaluate and re-appreciate the geoheritage of Shimabara Peninsula (Ohno, 2011).
Since 2010, for ten years the Master Plan of Unzen Volcanic Area Geopark was formulated covering the area of the three cities of Mount Unzen (Shimabara, Unzen and Minamishimara) (Unzen-geopark, 2018). The objectives of the Master Plan are to encourage all stakeholders (regional residence, government, research and academic institutions, private sectors) to work together to preserve the natural heritage of the region, and trough the educational and geotourism promote the regional sustainable development.
Toya Caldera and Usu Volcano Geopark
Toya Caldera and Usu Volcano Geopark is located in Hokkaido, northern Japan. The area consists with many geological relics and active volcanous. The Lake Toya was created after the volcanic eruption 110,000 years ago and Mt. Usu was formatted from the volcanic activities near the lake around 20,000 years ago. The town with local residents and national highway exist just in the area of volcanic activity, and volcanic eruption can occur in any time. For the 20th century, the eruptions happened in 1910, 1944, 1977 and 2000, with intervals around 20-50 years. Due to the constant volcanic activities since the ancient times, flora and fauna of the region was always changing, thus this geopark carries the philosophical concept of "living together with ever-changing mother earth". In 1910th, this area showed the world's first successful advanced evacuation of the local residents within the 15-km radius of the volcano. After that eruption, the Hokkiado's most popular hot spring Toyako Onsen was created by attracting people from all Japan. Also, the volcanic activity created the marine food culture specific to the region. These are the most notable characteristics which shows that even there is always the danger of volcanic eruption, local residents have the big connection to all the blessings created by the active volcanos.
Toya-Usu Geopark is owned by the prefectural Hokkaido government and local municipalities of Date City, and three towns of Toyoura Town, Sobetsu Town, Toyako Town. In 2010, Toya Caldera and Usu Volcano Global Geopark Promotion Council was established. Many educational activities were carried out together with local residents (Ishikawa, 2013), and special study programs with academic scholars contributed in the creation of the certificated Toya-Usu Volcano Meisters Organisation (Toya-usu-geopark, 2018). This organization develops the diverse human resources aged between 20-80 years, and provides the knowledge of natural disaster risk reduction, geological volcanic characteristics, recording and
sharing the scientific information among the local residents. Certified Meisters later can teach about the geo-hazards, risk reductions and help in evacuation processes if the eruption occurs. Also, they contribute in spreading the concept of Global Ge-opark and conduct the geotours for the visitors with profound scientific knowledge, conduct the geosite maintenance activities, contribute in developing the texts and guide books in educational purposes.
All these first three recognized UNESCO Global Geoparks shows the strong linkage between the human settlements with the geologically active natural sites. Coexisting with natural disasters and active involvement of local residents in bottom-up management process and geotours promotion, are the main characteristics of Japanese Geoparks, which contributes for the regional sustainable development.
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