Sustainable Conservation of the Silokek Geopark Area to Become a Lead Tourism Destination in West Sumatera, Indonesia

Geoparks play an important role in integrating geological conservation with sustainable tourism development. However, many geopark studies remain largely descriptive and provide limited analytical insights into governance and spatial planning implications. This study examines sustainable conservation practices in the Silokek Geopark, West Sumatra, Indonesia, focusing on the interaction between geodiversity conservation, community participation, and institutional governance within a spatial planning context. A qualitative approach was employed through in-depth interviews, field observations, and document analysis. Data were analyzed using the sustainable geopark management framework proposed by Xu and Wu, which emphasizes environmental conservation, community participation, and governance structures. The findings show that conservation practices in the Silokek Geopark are supported by strong community involvement through local institutions. However, governance arrangements remain largely operational and have not been fully integrated into formal spatial planning frameworks. This situation limits the strategic role of conservation in guiding sustainable tourism development and regulating spatial use. This study contributes to the planning literature by demonstrating that effective geopark conservation requires not only environmental protection but also the integration of community-based conservation into spatial planning instruments and governance systems. The findings provide policy insights for strengthening sustainable geopark management in developing regions.