Protecting the environment through education for sustainable development: a field study exploration in Sacred Mount, East Java, Indonesia

More than 130 ancient sites were found around the slopes of Mount Penanggungan. In the past, this mountain was sacred by the Hindu-Buddhist community because it was considered part of Mount Mahameru in India. This mountain was the center of the Hindu-Buddhist royal civilization in Java until the early 16th century. Currently, the community seeks to benefit and support the preservation of natural resources through local wisdom. This article aims to uncover the potential of environmental conservation through education for sustainable development. This research uses a qualitative approach. The focus of this research is on the exploration of geographical phenomena and local values in the sacred Mount Penanggungan. The subjects of this study are site managers, caretakers, culturalists, researchers, and local communities who utilize the resources of Mount Penanggungan. Triangulation is done by confirming field informants, documents, and experts. The results of this study show that Mount Penanggungan has the potential of geography, geo-history and mythology as educational resources for sustainable development. Mount Penanggungan can therefore be used as an ESD tool to understand sustainability values for the next generation.