Hundreds of experts, scholars and government officials gathered
in Beijing recently to participate in the recommendation and
appreciation conference for the fourth batch of global geological
park candidates.
The conference, organized by the Ministry of Land and Resources
(MLR), was a prelude to the formal evaluation by the United Nations
Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in
June.
Twenty-two geological specialists from the National Geopark
Professional Appraisement Committee evaluated the parks that were
in the running and voted Zigong Dinosaur National Geopark in
Sichuan Province to the top position, followed by Longhu Mountain
National Geopark, Qinling- Zhongnan Mountains Geopark and Sanqing
Mountain National Geopark.
Representatives of each geopark in contention prepared
extensively for the appraisal process, going all out to present a
strong application by showcasing the parks' unique advantages and
geological significance through multimedia presentations and
on-the-spot discussions at the conference.
"Every applicant is supposed to adopt the suggestions made by
the experts panel, improve its construction and management, and
revise application materials, so as to best face the final field
studies and appraisement by UNESCO members," said Jiang Jianjun,
director of the Department of Geological Environment of MLR.
Many other geoparks that were not qualified to apply this time
but hoped to gain some useful insights from their leading
counterparts, also sent representatives to the conference.
"The appreciation conference actually provides a platform for
geoparks to communicate and exchange ideas. It will help us improve
geopark construction and management, to bring this industry to a
new high," said Jiang.
UNESCO's latest regulation stipulates that a particular country
may recommend a maximum of two candidates each year at the UNESCO's
geopark appreciation conference.
(China Daily April 27, 2007)