Vipin Chandra Lal
Department of Geography, Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar College, University of Delhi, New Delhi 110094, India
Vishwa Raj Sharma
Department of Geography, Shaheed Bhagat Singh College, University of Delhi, New Delhi 110017, India
Manjit Singh
Department of Geography, Central University of South Bihar, Gaya (Bihar) 824236, India
Krishna Kumar
Geography Discipline, Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi 110068, India
Cheetar Mal Meena
Department of Geography, Central University of Haryana, Mahendragarh 123031, India
Arun Pratap Mishra
Office of the Registrar General of India, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, New Delhi 110011, India
Usha Rani
Department of Geography, Shivaji College, University of Delhi, New Delhi 110027, India
Suchit Kumar Yadav
Department of Political Science, Dr Rajendra Prasad National Law University, Prayagraj 211013, India
Rahul Pratap Shahi
Department of Geography, Central University of South Bihar, Gaya (Bihar) 824236, India
Sites and landscapes of international geological significance are managed with a comprehensive approach of conservation, education, and sustainable development in UNESCO Global Geoparks, which comprise a single, cohesive geographic area. A growing number of people are adopting the bottom-up strategy, which involves local communities and combines sustainable development with conservation. The viability of creating a UNESCO-recognized geopark in Kutch is assessed in this study. This study examines the key geoheritage features of the Kutch region, explores the socio-economic prospects of a geopark through geotourism and community development, and evaluates its conformity with UNESCO’s Global Geopark criteria on conservation, education, and sustainability. The study also evaluates the overall feasibility of the project, its economic, social, and environmental implications, and the adequacy of the requisite infrastructure.. Its geological, cultural, and historical significance, as well as socioeconomic and environmental factors, are the parameters considered for investigation. Despite multiple applications to UNESCO, the Gujarat region of Kutch, which is rich in geological, cultural, and historical elements, is not recognised as a World Heritage Site. In actuality, there are 195 geoparks in 48 nations worldwide as of 2023, however India does not have one. The findings of the study provide critical insights that can direct initiatives to establish India’s first geopark and promote regional sustainability.
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Copyright © 2025 Vipin Chandra Lal, Vishwa Raj Sharma, Manjit Singh, Krishna Kumar, Cheetar Mal Meena, Arun Pratap Mishra, Usha Rani, Suchit Kumar Yadav, Rahul Pratap Shahi
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