Making the Past Present for the Future: Integrated Heritage Conservation Through Geopark Model

Making the Past Present for the Future: Integrated Heritage Conservation Through Geopark Model is about heritage conservation in general and specifically about Langkawi Geopark as a model for integrated heritage conservation. Generally, heritage can be regarded as a “piece” of the past that has been preserved or conserved not only for the benefit of the present generation but also for future generations. Heritage conservation aims at safeguarding heritage, seen as belonging to the past, from human practices of the present that are considered to be harmful. It is then transmitted to the future generation while ensuring its accessibility to the present generation. To put it simply, heritage can be regarded as anything that someone wishes to conserve or collect and pass on to future generations. However, although anything can become heritage, not everything is heritage unless recognised as such.

Conservation, on the other hand, can be defined as protection from any agent—environmental or human—that threatens to destroy heritage. Thus, conservation ultimately is also about promoting good land uses, for the benefit of people, future generations and the land itself. It helps a community to protect its economically valuable physical assets and to preserve its history and environment besides protecting the community’s sense of identity and continuity. The focus of this book is Langkawi Island which had been proclaimed by UNESCO as a Global Geopark in 2007. In fact, Langkawi Island is the first to be proclaimed a Geopark in Malaysia and Southeast Asia. As a Global Geopark, Langkawi can be a model for integrated heritage conservation as well as a model for sustainable development. This is because, in the process of socio-economic development, Langkawi Geopark is required to conserve its geology, biology and cultural heritage.

Humanity’s efforts for heritage conservation, both natural and cultural, through various models such as Geoparks, World Heritage Sites and Biospheres, indicate just how important our common heritage is. We have only one Earth in this vast Universe. Hence, it is human beings’ solemn duty and responsibility to respect, protect and conserve both our natural and cultural heritage. This reminds us of the “Emperor’s Three Questions“, in a short story written by Leo Tolstoy: (i) When is the most important time? (ii) Who is the most important person? (iii) What is the most important thing to do?

The answer to the first question is NOW. Now is the most important time to do the things we need to do, hence, now is the most important time to take care of our natural and cultural assets, our common heritage. The answer to the second question is THE PERSON WE ARE WITH. In this context, ‘the person we are with’ refers to the natural and cultural heritages that are still with us. We are presently facing a situation where development predominates, modernisation dictates and consumerism reigns supreme. Old buildings, traditional practices, shared values—the things we grow up with, are familiar with, in short, who are with us—are now giving way to development, modernisation and consumerism. Heritage is taking a back seat. The answer to the third question is TO CARE. We need to show we care for our heritage. The recognition of Geoparks, World Heritage Sites, Humans and Biosphere Programmes show that we care, we protect and we conserve our heritage.

Hence, the authors believe that the book will benefit the readers, especially those who are concerned about the loss of heritage, especially in the development process of a country or place. The authors also believe that the readers will be enlightened on how Geoparks—in this case, Langkawi Geopark—can serve as models for integrated heritage conservation. We hope that this book will contribute to a better and deeper understanding of Langkawi Geopark in general and Langkawi Geopark as a model for integrated heritage conservation.