Yogyakarta, 12th August 2024 – The Master’s and Doctoral Study Program in Environmental Science, Gadjah Mada University Postgraduate School (SPs UGM) held a conference dialogue as part of “The 5th Asian Trans-Disciplinary Karst Conference 2024” which was held in the SPs Unit 1 Building 5th floor Auditorium. This activity was attended by students, practitioners and academics who are involved in the field of environmental science.
Participants took part in a panel session which discussed three important symposia, namely: (1) Panel 1: Karst Hydrology and Hydrogeology Symposium, (2) Panel 2: Karst and Cave Biodiversity Symposium, and (3) Panel 3: Karst and Cave Management Symposium. Each panel was attended by participants according to their field of interest and took place in Rooms 410, 411, and Meeting Room A, 5th Floor, SPs.
One of the interesting things discussed at the symposium was the presentation from Dr. H. Suriansyah, M.AP, Regional Secretary of North Kalimantan Province with the results of the analysis with the theme “Geodiversity-Conservation Approach for Protecting Minority Groups in Gunung Benau Karst Area, North Kalimantan-Indonesia.” The results of this analysis are the result of research that has been carried out together with environmental science activists and academics such as Prof. Dr. Eko Haryono, M.Sc. who also serves as Chair of the UGM SPs Environmental Science Doctoral Study Program.
It is known that in the Mount Benau Karst area there are conservation and empowerment actions involving the community and government. These actions are (1) Social Forestry-IAD (Integrated Area Development), (2) Customary forests, (3) Geotourism through geopark development, (4) Increasing visibility and support: Kalpataru Environment Award 2024, and (5) Pentahellix Collaboration : researchers, government, NGOs, local communities, private sector.
The discussion took place with great enthusiasm, where the participants actively interacted and shared knowledge regarding the latest issues in karst management and research. It is hoped that this activity can strengthen collaboration between scientific disciplines and increase understanding of the importance of environmental sustainability in karst areas. This activity is a form of support from SPs UGM in achieving sustainable development goals.
Tags: environmental science, karst, biodiversity, conference, symposium, collaboration, SDG 4: quality education, SDG 8: decent work and economic growth, SDG 9: industry, innovation and infrastructure, SDG 11: sustainable cities and settlements, SDG 15 : terrestrial ecosystems, SDG 16: peace, justice and resilient institutions, SDG 17: partnerships to achieve the goals.
Author: Siti Muyasaroh