Published Papers - CHAKRABORTY Abhik

Concluding remarks and the way forward

Rivers and Society Landscapes, Governance and Livelihoods     2018  [Refereed]

Shirakami Mountains: Old-Growth Forests of Siebold’s Beech Supporting Biodiversity in a Dynamic Landscape

Abhik Chakraborty

Natural Heritage of Japan ( Springer International Publishing )    49   2017.10  [Refereed]

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Introduction

Abhik Chakraborty

Natural Heritage of Japan ( Springer International Publishing )    1   2017.10  [Refereed]

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Challenges for Geoconservation in Contemporary Japan

Abhik Chakraborty, Kuniyasu Mokudai

Natural Heritage of Japan ( Springer International Publishing )    143   2017.10  [Refereed]

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Shiretoko Peninsula: Dynamic Interaction Between Geology, Geomorphology, and Ecology at The Interface of Terrestrial and Marine Systems

Abhik Chakraborty

Natural Heritage of Japan ( Springer International Publishing )    31   2017.07  [Refereed]

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Satoyama Landscapes and Their Change in A River Basin context: Lessons for Sustainability

Shamik Chakraborty, Abhik Chakraborty

Issues in Social Science ( Macrothink Institute, Inc. )  5 ( 1 ) 38   2017.06  [Refereed]

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Rivers as Socioecological Landscapes (Book chapter)

Chakraborty, A, Chakraborty, S

Rivers and Society (Routledge)     2017  [Refereed]

Geoecotourism and environmental conservation education: insights from Japan

Takeei Koizumi, Abhik Chakraborty

GeoJournal ( Springer Netherlands )  81 ( 5 ) 737 - 750   2016.10  [Refereed]

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This article analyzes geoecotourism as a newly emerging variant of geotourism in Japan. Geoecotourism is defined as a special type of sustainable tourism that focuses on the interrelationship between geological and ecological systems and its primary aim is to provide knowledge about earth processes. Whereas standard geotourism activities mostly provide descriptive accounts of land-formation/landscaping, the narrative of geoecotourism is analytical—and it aims to explain cause and effect relationships between observed landscapes and past geological events. The article is based on two case studies of geoecotourism: the Hakusan mountain in Northwest Japan and the Bandaisan volcano in Northeast Japan. Both areas are parts of geoparks. Explanation is provided on the relationships between land formation, landscaping and species colonization by focusing on the vegetation patterns. It is clarified how even minute variations in the geological land-formation are reflected through subsequent ecosystem responses. The nature conservation agenda in Japanese geoparks has not matured enough due to an overemphasis on structural geology and geohazard related themes, and it is claimed that geoecotourism can address this vital gap by informing visitors about how abiotic and biotic processes are interrelated and how all of them are vital for the well-being of planet earth.

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Geosystems as a Framework for Geoconservation: the Case of Japan's Izu Peninsula Geopark

Abhik Chakraborty, Malcolm Cooper, Shamik Chakraborty

GEOHERITAGE ( SPRINGER HEIDELBERG )  7 ( 4 ) 351 - 363   2015.12  [Refereed]

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This article explores the potential of geosystems as a conservation framework within a geopark. The Izu Peninsula Geopark in Japan is analyzed for this purpose. Key characteristics of the geosystems approach are evaluation of geodiversity, holistic appraisal of processes operating at large spatiotemporal dimensions, and emphasis on the underlying unity of different abiotic and biotic environments. However, geodiversity is a neutral descriptive term, and the geosystems approach needs active social participation to become fully functional. This article critically examines how geoconservation is grounded in praxis. An outline of the development of the concept along with related challenges and geotourism angles is followed by the case study. The Izu Peninsula Geopark is one of the largest and most diverse geoparks in Japan. But as the area is close to Tokyo, its geoheritage faces constant pressure from a large urban footprint. The geopark has developed a combination of multiple conservation strategies, but several challenges remain. This study identifies the lack of awareness among the population as the main threat to geodiversity and argues that those communities who have firsthand knowledge of geosystems need more representation in management. While a number of community-driven conservation practices and a rich traditional knowledge of the environment can be identified, these need to be integrated on a holistic platform to provide understanding about interrelationships between phenomena. It is concluded that the geosystems approach requires an optimum utilization of the social diversity and prioritization of the conservation agenda within the regional development and geotourism initiatives.

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The Nile and Recent Changes in Its Basin Environment: Evidences from Literature

Shamik Chakraborty, Yasuda Hiroshi, Abhik Chakraborty, Nabeta Hajime, Kawai Takayuki, Ishiyama Shun

Journal of Resources and Ecology ( Institute of Geographic Science and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences )  6 ( 5 ) 345   2015.09  [Refereed]

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Revitalizing Japan’s Mountainous Areas through Green Tourism: A Human Geographical Perspective

Chakraborty Abhik, Munehiko Asamizu

Issues in Social Science   2 ( 1 ) 58 - 77   2014  [Refereed]

Opposing Currents in a Stream: Dichotomous Trends of Post-Growth Basin Governance in Japan's Kizu River Basin

Chakraborty Abhik

Asia Pacific World   4 ( 2 ) 81 - 102   2013  [Refereed]

A Landscape Conservation Discourse of Romantic Nostalgia and Reflexive Modernity in Post Growth Japan

Chakraborty Abhik, Chakraborty Shamik

Japan Studies Association Journal   11   46 - 64   2013  [Refereed]

Developing rivers: How strong state and bureaucracy continue to suffocate environment-oriented river governance in japan

Abhik Chakraborty

SAGE Open ( SAGE Publications Inc. )  3 ( 4 ) 1 - 13   2013  [Refereed]

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This article explores the reasons behind the continuation of contentious dam projects in Japanese river basins. Though the River Law of the country was reformed in 1997, and subsequent sociopolitical developments raised hopes that river governance would progress toward a more environment-oriented and bottom-up model, basin governance in Japan remains primarily based on a utilitarian vision that sees rivers as waterways. This article reviews the Achilles heel of the 1997 River Law by examining some most contentious river valley projects, and concludes that a myth of vulnerability to flooding, shortsightedness of river engineers, and bureaucratic inertia combine to place basin governance in a time warp: as projects planned during postwar reconstruction and economic growth continue to be top priorities in policymaking circles while concerns over environment remain largely unaddressed.

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Promises Unfulfilled: Tashizengata Kawazukuri and Environment-Oriented River Basin Governance in Japan

Chakraborty Abhik

Asia Pacific World   3 ( 2 ) 83 - 107   2012  [Refereed]