Why is it in the news?
- UNESCO has endorsed the addition of 18 new Geoparks to the Global Geoparks Network (GGN), bringing the total count to 213 Geoparks across 48 countries.
- Notably, there are currently no Geoparks in India.
More about the news
- Among the major additions to the GGN are noteworthy Geoparks such as the Land of Extinct Volcanoes in Poland, featuring remnants of Paleozoic and Cenozoic volcanoes;
- The Impact Crater Lake in Finland, Europe’s largest impact crater lake formed through a meteorite collision 78 million years ago; and
- Uberaba in Brazil, renowned for its rich palaeontological heritage and tagged as the ‘Land of the Giants’.
| About UNESCO’s Global Geopark (UGGP)
· The concept of Geoparks emerged in the mid-1990s, leading to the establishment of UNESCO’s Global Geopark (UGGP) in 2015. · UGGPs represent unified geographical areas managed with a holistic approach focusing on protection, education, and sustainable development. · They are managed by bodies with legal recognition under national legislation, and their designation is subject to reassessment every four years, emphasizing the dynamic nature of their management. · UGGPs play a crucial role in fostering local pride and strengthening identification with the region among the local population. · They also serve as catalysts for generating new revenue streams through geo-tourism, contributing to sustainable economic development in their respective areas. About Global Geoparks Network (GGN) · GGN is a non-profit International Association officially established in 2014 under the auspices of UNESCO. · It aims to promote the exchange of experiences and cooperation among Geoparks worldwide, facilitating mutual learning and the advancement of geoscience education, conservation, and sustainable development.
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