Establishment of Geoparks of Great Importance

Experts say that the establishment of national geological parks played a critical role in protecting geological resources that can not be reproduced.

China is a country with abundant geological resources such as volcano, glacier and karst as well as a pilot nation in the world geological park program, which was launched by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

More Geoparks to Be Nominated

China has attached great importance to protecting geological resources while striving to rationally use these resources in tourism and local economic development.

Sources say that more national geological parks will be nominated in five to ten years and better prepare these sites for application for the title of UNESCO geological parks.

The UNESCO plans to establish 20 world geological parks annually with the total number amounting to 300 as well as to complete a global network on geological protection.

China to Build 310 Geoparks

China is planning to build 310 geological parks in the next 10 years to protect its natural sites and also try to put five to eight of the geoparks into the world geo-heritage list.

To fulfill these goals, China has recently set up the Geopark Protection Office and the Geopark Evaluation Committee.

China's First 11 National Geological Parks Designated

The Zhangjiajie Gritstone-peak Forest, which is now on UNESCO's World Heritage list, China's best preserved cluster of volcanoes and geological features in northeast Heilongjiang Province, and dinosaur fossil ground found in Zigong, Sichuan, are among China's first group of 11 national geological parks.

( People's Daily March 1, 2002)