UNESCO Global Geoparks represent a unique model created at the intersection of various factors, including natural history, cultural heritage, scientific achievements, and the customs of local populations. This is reported by MiddleAsianNews.
These places not only amaze with their beauty but also serve as invaluable natural laboratories that help understand the history of the Earth and human impact on its development. They have become important elements contributing to the sustainable development of communities and the harmonious coexistence of humans and nature.
China, our southern neighbor, leads in the number of geoparks, which account for 20% of all UNESCO sites. For example, the Zhangjiajie Geopark is famous for its majestic limestone pillars and fog-covered mountains and gained fame thanks to the movie "Avatar".
The geological formations in this area were created as a result of tectonic processes that occurred about 300 million years ago and attract the attention of tourists and researchers. This natural wonder, which combines beauty, scientific value, and cultural heritage, is an outstanding example of Chinese geoparks included in the UNESCO list.
In Europe, there are 94 registered geoparks, while in Asia and the Pacific there are 104, in Latin America there are 9, in North America there are 5, and in Africa there are 6.
Mongolia intends to join the ranks of these amazing geoparks for the first time.
The Shar-Tsav region, located in the Manlai sum of the Ömnögovi province, is famous for its unique historical finds, including over 13,600 dinosaur fossils, among which are the remains of the bird-like dinosaur Avimimus (Avimimus protentosus Kurzanov, 1981), which is found only in Mongolia. Currently, the region is preparing to join the international Global Geoparks network.
The project is being implemented in cooperation with UNESCO and Rio Tinto, aimed at developing sustainable tourism in Mongolia, as well as protecting and promoting its geological heritage on the international stage, particularly including the Shar-Tsav region in the Global Geoparks Network.
Creating a geopark will not only help preserve geological and natural heritage but also bring significant improvements to the lives of local residents, promoting national crafts, traditional dishes, and local delicacies on the international stage through tourism.
Establishing a geopark in the Shar-Tsav region will allow Mongolia to join the Global Geoparks Network and present to the world the centuries-old history preserved in the Gobi region. This is an important step that will open new horizons for the local population and demonstrate the beautiful coexistence of humans with nature.
Soon, Mongolia will have its first national geopark, which will be included in the UNESCO list, located in the South Gobi, where dinosaurs once roamed.
