TEHRAN ––Iran’s Tabas Geopark has secured a UNESCO nod for being registered in the Global Geoparks (UGGp) list, an assessor of the UN cultural body said on Thursday.

Tabas Geopark has received the positive vote of the Supreme Council of World Geoparks of UNESCO, Alireza Amri-Kazemi, a UNESCO evaluator and member of the supreme council, told ISNA on Thursday.

The expert believes that Tabas Geopark would officially be registered on the prestigious list next year when it gains approval from the executive board, the report said.

“The endorsement verdict of Tabas Geopark will be issued next year in spring after the approval of the UNESCO’s Executive Board,” he said.

Initial studies on Tabas Geopark reportedly commenced in 2011 with the task of identifying its various sites and choosing names for them.

Situated in South Khorasan province, the gigantic geopark includes 50 geo-sites, a variety of scenic landscapes, and untouched terrains with the mysterious Kal-e Jeni (canyon of Jinn) located in Azmighan village. Some say that Kal- e Jeni is still unexplored by many potential travelers and adventurers who may not even know such a wonderful attraction exists on Earth!

A UNESCO definition of the Global Geopark is a unified area with a geological heritage of international significance. Geoparks use this heritage to promote awareness of key societal issues related to our dynamic planet. Experts believe that the majority of geoparks help raise awareness of geohazards, including volcanoes, earthquakes, and tsunamis, and many help disaster mitigation strategies with local communities. Geoparks embody archives of past climate change and are also indicators of current climate change.

Furthermore, a UNESCO Global Geopark is expected to foster socio-economic development that is culturally and environmentally sustainable, directly affecting the area by improving human living conditions and the rural environment. UNESCO Global Geoparks has multiple aims which included the protection and conservation of its territorial geo-heritage and the culturally and environmentally sustainable development of the area.

According to the UN cultural body, many UNESCO Global Geoparks have strong links to the arts communities where the synergy released by bringing science and the arts together can yield surprising results.

AFM