IRCK’s 2023 International Training Course on Sustainable Utilization of Natural Resources in Karst Areas (1): Remote Sensing and Monitoring

Karst area constantly experiences pressure from exploitation and utilization, exacerbating its already fragile and vulnerable ecosystem condition. Limestone mining, agriculture, and over tourism become prominent activities that threaten the integrity and sustainability of the karst area. To address those issues, the International Research Centre of Karst (IRCK) based at the Institute of Karst Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences under the auspices of UNESCO host the 15^th International Training Course from May 16^th-29^th, 2023.

IRCK as the organizer invited participants from across the globe and was attended by trainees and lecturers from Cambodia, Indonesia, Jamaica, Jordan, Libya, Myanmar, Morocco, Pakistan, The Philippines, Romania, Vietnam, the USA, South Korea, and Thailand. On this occasion, the course took place in three locations: Nanning City, Wulong Karst Area, and Guilin, and consisted of several activities including seminars, lectures, field visits, and trainee evaluations.

Figure 1. Prof. Eko Haryono and Hilary Reinhart together with all training’s participant

Karst Research Group, Faculty of Geography UGM participated again in this course and was represented by Prof. Eko Haryono as a lecturer and Hilary Reinhart as a trainee. In his lecture, Prof. Eko Haryono presented the sustainable utilization practices in the karst area in Indonesia as the case study. Utilization such as mining, tourism, and agriculture may disrupt the sustainability of karst development and the Indonesian Government has tried to tackle the disruption by enacting the appropriate regulations. Hilary Reinhart delivered a presentation on Karst Ecosystem Services as a strategy for Karst-type Geopark Management for his trainee evaluation.

The participation serves as a continuation of cooperation and joined activities between IRCK and the Karst Research Group and shows the active involvement of the Faculty of Geography in international forums and events. For the future, the cooperation would be followed by joined research and visiting. (UKLN/Hilary)