Synergies and Conflicts in Dual-Designated UNESCO Sites: Managing Governance, Conservation, Tourism, and Community Engagement at Mount Hakusan Global Geopark and Biosphere Reserve, Japan

UNESCO’s dual designations of Biosphere Reserves (BRs) and Global Geoparks (UGGps) offer unique opportunities for integrating biodiversity and geodiversity conservation with sustainable development. This study investigates the synergies and conflicts between these designations at Mount Hakusan, Japan, the country’s only site with overlapping BR and UGGp territories. Employing qualitative methods, including semi-structured interviews and document analysis, the research highlights key governance challenges, conservation impacts, and community engagement outcomes. Findings highlight key synergies, including enhanced global recognition, collaborative educational initiatives, and the potential for interdisciplinary conservation efforts. However, the study also identifies significant conflicts, such as governance inefficiencies, budgetary constraints, and tensions between biodiversity conservation and geotourism priorities. While the BR framework emphasizes ecosystem protection, the UGGp’s focus on geotourism can create challenges in balancing conservation with economic development. Furthermore, low public awareness and limited youth engagement pose barriers to fully realizing the potential benefits of both designations. Recommendations are provided for integrated management strategies, emphasizing multi-stakeholder collaboration, and enhancing community participation to align conservation and tourism objectives. The study enhances the understanding of managing Multi-Internationally Designated Areas (MIDAs) and offers practical strategies to support global conservation and sustainable development initiatives.