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Abstract
Tangkahan, located in Langkat Regency, North Sumatra, represents a remarkable example of community-based geotourism that emerged from grassroots conservation initiatives within the Leuser ecosystem. This study examines how local knowledge, ecological ethics, and cultural practices contribute to the sustainability and authenticity of tourism activities in the region. Using ethnographic methods with including participant observation, semi-structured interviews, and community mapping. The research explores how local communities reinterpret their relationship with forests, rivers, and wildlife after shifting from logging to conservation-oriented livelihoods. The findings reveal that local ecological knowledge (LEK) and the local value of gotong royong (mutual cooperation) have become the moral and practical foundation for managing geotourism in Tangkahan. These cultural elements not only guide environmental stewardship but also foster collective responsibility and social cohesion among community members. Nevertheless, challenges persist as local actors negotiate between global conservation discourses, market-oriented tourism demands, and their everyday livelihood needs. Such dynamics highlight the complex interplay between ecological goals and socio-economic realities in sustaining geotourism. The study argues that integrating local worldviews and cultural frameworks into geotourism planning strengthens authenticity, participation, and resilience. Ultimately, Tangkahan demonstrates that geotourism can flourish when ecological conservation aligns with community empowerment and cultural continuity, offering a valuable model for sustainable tourism development in biodiverse tropical regions like Indonesia.