Two Chinese geoparks enter UNESCO Global Geoparks Network

PARIS, April 17 (Xinhua) -- Two Chinese geoparks have officially been added to the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization announced on Thursday.

The decision was made during the 221st session of the Executive Board of UNESCO, which approved a list of 16 new entries into the Global Geoparks Network. Among them are two geoparks from China: Kanbula National Geopark, situated on the northeastern edge of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, and Yunyang Geopark in southwest China.

Now designated as the Kanbula UNESCO Global Geopark, the site is renowned for its striking geological formations shaped by complex natural processes. Highlights include the Maixiu volcanoes and the Yellow River, according to a UNESCO press release.

"While the geopark works to preserve this rich geological heritage, it also plays a vital role in protecting local communities from river-related risks, coordinating warning systems and forecasts, and raising awareness on how to respond to flooding and landslides," UNESCO noted.

Yunyang Geopark earned its place in the network for its extraordinary landscapes formed nearly 250 million years ago. The site features the famous "Great Wall of Dinosaur Fossil" - an 18-km stretch of rock layers containing fossils dating back around 170 million years. It also includes dramatic karst formations, such as one of the world's deepest sinkholes, which plunges 335 meters and serves as a key site for scientific research.

UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay highlighted the broader significance of UNESCO Global Geoparks. "UNESCO Geoparks have become models for the conservation of geological heritage," she said. "But their role goes much further - they support educational projects, promote sustainable tourism, and keep the knowledge and traditions of these territories alive through the active participation of local and indigenous communities."

Established in 2015, the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network brings together sites recognized for their significant geological heritage that reflect the Earth's history, evolution, and climate. With the addition of 16 new geoparks, the network now encompasses 229 sites worldwide. ■