UNESCO endorsed the addition of 18 new Geoparks to the Global Geoparks Network (GGN)

Posted 29 Mar 2024

2 min read

Latest addition raises the number of total Geoparks to 213 which are spread across 48 countries (no geopark in India).

Some major geoparks added to GGN are:
- Land of Extinct Volcanoes (Poland): Features distinctive remnants of Paleozoic and Cenozoic volcanoes
- Impact Crater Lake (Finland): Europe's largest impact crater lake formed through a collision with a meteorite 78 million years ago.
- Uberaba (Brazil): Its tag line ‘Land of the Giants’ refers to its rich palaeontological heritage.

UNESCO’s Global Geopark (UGGPs)
- Genesis: Geopark concept arose in the mid-1990’s and UGGP was created in 2015
- About: UGGPs are single, unified geographical areas where landscapes of international geological significance are managed with a holistic concept of
  - protection,
  - education and
  - sustainable development.
- Management: Managed by a body having a legal existence recognized under national legislation.
- Designation is not permanent: Designation is for four years after which it is reassessed.
- Mandatory Networking: Membership of the Global Geoparks Network (GGN) is obligatory for UGGPs.
- Significance
  - UGGPs give local people a sense of pride in their region and strengthen their identification with the area.
  - New sources of revenue are generated through geotourism.

It is a non-profit International Association officially established in 2014.
- GGN was founded as an international partnership developed under the umbrella of UNESCO.
Networking and collaboration among Global Geoparks is an important component of the GGN.

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