Geoheritage, Geotourism, and Geoethics as Support for Rural Development: A Case Study from Sundarbans Wetlands—A Ramsar Site of West Bengal, India
摘要
The Sundarbans, the world’s largest contiguous mangrove tigerland, is iconic for its biodiversity, geodiversity, and cultural diversity. However, its geoheritage and geotourism have not been properly explored. This study aims to highlight the geotourism potential and geoethical dimensions in promoting rural development in the Sundarbans, particularly in relation to geoheritage and geoconservation. A geosite inventory was created for the first time, and each site was evaluated using the Geosite Assessment Model (GAM) to identify the most suitable locations for future geotourism development and to support rural growth. Effective management and precautionary conservation strategies that integrate both ecotourism and geotourism are essential. Incorporating geoethical principles in geosite management can significantly contribute to sustainable geoconservation.