Latest news with #Geoparks
CBC
5 days ago
- General
- CBC
Two Canadian UNESCO Geoparks cautioned to make improvements or risk losing status
Two unique areas of Atlantic Canada recognized for their geological significance five years ago have been cautioned to make changes or risk losing their rare status as UNESCO Global Geoparks — a designation that puts them on bucket lists of people around the world. "If I lose that, then my future is kind of uncertain to be honest," said Anna Hergert, the owner of Tide Rollers and Mudlarkers, a local tour company. Hergert takes people on custom tours through the Cliffs of Fundy UNESCO Global Geopark, on the north shore of the Minas Basin in the Bay of Fundy in Nova Scotia. "For me that was one of the main reasons to settle in this area," she said during an interview inside the park, standing on the ocean floor during low tide. Geoparks are not pre-existing provincial or national parks, but rather distinct regions with internationally important geology — rock formations, caves, mountain ranges and fossil sites — that tell the story of Earth's history, and where local and Indigenous communities can promote their culture. UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, revalidates geoparks every four years, and three of the five in Canada — among only 229 on the planet — have been told they need to improve. Cliffs of Fundy and the Discovery Geopark in Newfoundland and Labrador are still in limbo. The Percé Geopark in Quebec's Gaspé region, first designated in 2018, was also given recommendations to improve, but has since had its status confirmed for another four years. Cliffs of Fundy and Discovery both received their UNESCO designations in 2020. Unlike the more common UNESCO World Heritage Sites, which are reviewed every eight years or so and of which there are more than 1,200 globally, geoparks undergo a "rigorous revalidation" every four years. The 'rigorous revalidation' process "This timeframe reflects the dynamic nature of the program, which places strong emphasis on ongoing community engagement, educational outreach, sustainable tourism and international co-operation," said a UNESCO spokesperson in a statement to CBC News. He said it is rare for a designation to be revoked. The revalidation is conducted by independent evaluators and includes a four- to five-day visit to the site, at the end of which the park receives a green card, meaning its status is renewed, a yellow card, meaning it has two years to make changes or get the dreaded red card, which means it will lose its status. In 2023, Cliffs of Fundy and Discovery received visits from two independent evaluators from Germany and France, who produced a report in 2024. In July, both parks are expecting visits from two more evaluators — this time from Portugal and Iceland — to examine whether the previous recommendations have been implemented. The towering Cliffs of Fundy — steeped in Mi'kmaw history — boast the highest tides in the world and the oldest dinosaur bones in Canada. Geologists say it is also the only place on earth where they can see the record of the assembly of the world's supercontinent, Pangea, more than 300 million years ago, and when it it broke apart 100 million years later, drifting into the positions the continents are in today. The park received 10 recommendations, including the need to secure funding, put up more signage, improve infrastructure and access roads and better share the area's story. WATCH | Atlantic Canada sites could lose status as UNESCO Geoparks: 2 Canadian geoparks could lose UNESCO designation 13 hours ago Duration 2:13 Two of five places in Canada deemed UNESCO Global Geoparks are at risk of losing the prestigious designation if steps aren't taken to improve the sites with better signage and overall infrastructure. "Obviously it would have been lovely to have just received the green card," said Devin Trefry, Cliffs of Fundy's managing director. "But in a way, I think it's good that we've been motivated to really kind of hone in and focus to get things done." Trefry said the park got a slow start due to receiving the designation during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the devastation caused by post-tropical storm Fiona in 2022 didn't help. But he said a lot of work has been done over the last year: the park is working toward receiving status as a charitable organization, which would allow donors to receive tax receipts; signs have been purchased and approved and just need to be erected; and new interpretive panels and a tourism map are in hand. He said the UNESCO designation has put the lesser-known area of the province on the map internationally and also raised its profile within Tourism Nova Scotia. The Discovery Geopark on Newfoundland's Bonavista Peninsula, on the eastern coast of the island, got a similar report card. Named for Italian explorer John Cabot's discovery of the new found land in June 1497, the Discovery Geopark is recognized for sea arches, fossils and rock formations, and was nearly 15 years in the making. The park received many of the same recommendations as the Nova Scotia park, including extending the network of geosites beyond the coast into the interior. Shawna Prince, chair of the Newfoundland and Labrador geopark and the owner of a whale-watching company in Trinity, is also a resident of the park. She said a number of new sites are in the works including one that looks at traditional Mi'kmaw medicinal plants, another that is an example of glacial scrape and one that will examine climate change and the effects of Hurricane Igor, which tore through the eastern part of the province in 2010. Prince said it was at first upsetting to receive the yellow card after putting so much work into achieving the designation but she said she felt a lot better after meeting with evaluators who explained the recommendations aren't meant to be punitive. In a statement, UNESCO, confirmed the suggestions do "not constitute a sanction" but rather are a support mechanism to maintain high standards. Having already been through the experience, Osric Parry-Canet, Percé's science and education manager, has some advice for Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador. "It's really just, continue working with your community, showing UNESCO how important the community is for you," he said. "Show UNESCO that having this geopark logo makes people understand what the rocks mean for them."
Indian Express
30-04-2025
- Indian Express
Knowledge Nugget: What you must know about UNESCO Global Geoparks for UPSC Exam
Take a look at the essential events, concepts, terms, quotes, or phenomena every day and brush up your knowledge. Here's your knowledge nugget for today on the UNESCO Global Geoparks. Knowledge Nugget: UNESCO Global Geoparks Why in the news? UNESCO has added 16 additional sites from 11 nations to its Global Geoparks Network, which celebrates its tenth anniversary this year. The new geoparks are in China, North Korea, Ecuador, Indonesia, Italy, Norway, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Spain, the United Kingdom, and Vietnam. Key Takeaways : 1. UNESCO Global Geoparks are single, unified geographical areas where sites and landscapes of international geological significance are managed with a comprehensive approach of protection, education and sustainable development. 2. According to UNESCO's official site, 'A UNESCO Global Geopark uses its geological heritage, in connection with all other aspects of the area's natural and cultural heritage, to enhance awareness and understanding of key issues facing society, such as using our earth's resources sustainably, mitigating the effects of climate change and reducing natural hazard-related risks.' 3. Global Geoparks are established through a bottom-up approach of combining conservation with sustainable development while involving all relevant local and regional stakeholders and authorities in the area. 4. At present, there are 229 UNESCO Global Geoparks in 50 countries. North Korea recorded its historic first with the inclusion of its site in the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network, while Saudi Arabia has made its debut on the list with two newly designated geoparks. Do you know? On 5 March 2025, UNESCO celebrated the 10th anniversary of the International Geoscience and Geoparks Programme, UNESCO's flagship programme in the Earth Sciences. 5. As of April 30, 2025, India does not have any UNESCO Global Geoparks. While India has identified several geological heritage sites and is exploring the idea of developing geoparks, none have yet been recognised by UNESCO. Criteria to be a UNESCO Global Geopark The criteria for an area to become a UNESCO Global Geopark are set out in the Operational Guidelines for UNESCO Global Geoparks. There are four fundamental features to a UNESCO Global Geopark. 1. Geological heritage of international value: The area must have geological heritage of international value. 2. Effective management structure: UNESCO Global Geoparks are managed by a body having legal existence recognized under national legislation. 3. Visibility: UNESCO Global Geoparks promote sustainable local economic development mainly through geotourism. To stimulate the geotourism in the area, it is crucial that a UNESCO Global Geopark has visibility. 4. Networking: Membership of the Global Geoparks Network (GGN) is obligatory for UNESCO Global Geoparks. Is the designation of UNESCO Global Geoparks fixed? Notably, sites are given the designation of UNESCO Global Geoparks for a period of four years after which the functioning and quality of each UNESCO Global Geopark is thoroughly re-examined during a revalidation process. According to UNESCO's official site- 1. If, on the basis of the field evaluation report, the UNESCO Global Geopark continues to fulfill the criteria, the area will continue as a UNESCO Global Geopark for a further four-year period (so-called 'green card'). 2. If the area no longer fulfills the criteria, the management body will be informed to take appropriate steps within a two-year period (so-called 'yellow card'). 3. Should the UNESCO Global Geopark not fulfill the criteria within two years after receiving a 'yellow card', the area will lose its status as a UNESCO Global Geopark (so-called 'red card'). • UNESCO's Memory of the World (MoW) programme, launched in 1992, is an international cooperation strategy aimed at safeguarding, protecting, and facilitating access to and the use of documentary heritage, particularly rare and endangered heritage. • Beginning in 1997, the Register has been biennally updated, with the exception of a lengthy gap between 2017 and 2023, with between nine (in 1999) and 78 (in 2017) additions. In any year, at most two submissions from a country are added. • Recently, manuscripts of the Bhagavad Gita and Bharat Muni's Natyashastra are added to UNESCO's Memory of the World Register, taking the total number of inscriptions from India in the list to 14. 📍Natyashastra: Natyashastra is an ancient Sanskrit treatise on performing arts. It is traditionally attributed to the sage Bharata. Comprising 36,000 verses, the ' Naṭyashastra embodies a comprehensive set of rules that define natya (drama), abhinaya (performance), rasa (aesthetic experience), bhava (emotion), sangita (music),' the UNESCO citation says. 📍Bhagavad Gita: Bhagavad Gita is a Sanskrit scripture comprising 700 verses that are organised in 18 chapters, embedded in the sixth book (Bhishma Parva) of the epic poem Mahabharata. It is traditionally attributed to the sage Vyasa. • Notably, last year, three Indian literary works — Ramcharitmanas, Panchatantra, and Sahṛdayaloka-Locana—were added to UNESCO's Memory of the World Asia-Pacific Regional Register. let's also know about these literary works. 📍 Ramcharitmanas: This manuscript was authored by Goswami Tulsidas. 📍 Panchatantra: Attributed to Vishnu Sharma, this is an ancient Indian collection of interrelated animal fables in verse and prose. 📍 Sahṛdayaloka-Locana: Written by 15th-century Kashmiri scholars Acharya Anandvardhan and Abhinavagupta, it was chosen for its aesthetic significance. 1. They are managed by UNESCO. 2. Recently, North Korea recorded its historic first with the inclusion of its site in the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network. 3. India has six Global Geoparks sites. How many of the statements given above are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) All three (d) None
Time Out
28-04-2025
- Time Out
UNESCO adds 8 Asian geological wonders to its Global Geoparks Network
We love a good city vacation as much as the next person, but we also travel to see as much jaw-dropping scenery as possible. And Asia boasts some pretty awe-inspiring natural landscapes, from towering karst formations in Thailand to expansive lava fields in China. Or how about Mount Everest, the world's tallest mountain above sea level, in Nepal? Formed over millennia, these territories tell a unique story of this region's history, evolution, and climate. Some of these sites are so geologically rich and unique that UNESCO has designated them as Global Geoparks. Until recently, Asia had approximately 65 geoparks, but eight more natural wonders have been added to the list. The newly designated geoparks hail from China, Vietnam, South Korea, and, for the first time, North Korea, comprising ancient volcanoes, fossil fields, and striking rock formations. They were selected by UNESCO's Executive Board, based on shortlisted applications decided by experts in the Global Geoparks Council. What is a UNESCO Global Geopark? UNESCO Global Geoparks comprise mountain ranges, volcanic areas, caves, or canyons – basically, any single, unified area with international geological significance. Countries must show that these sites are managed with conservation, education, and sustainable development in mind. And it's not just about the landscapes: indigenous cultures and traditions are increasingly considered and involved. New UNESCO global geoparks to explore in Asia Kanbula UNESCO Global Geopark (China) Located on the northeast margin of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, this territory is home to the Maixiu volcanoes and the Yellow River, the sixth-longest river in the world. Yunyang UNESCO Global Geopark (China) Located in southwest China, this geopark is home to the 'Great Wall of Dinosaur Fossils': layers of rock stretching 18 kilometres long and packed with dinosaur fossils. You can also find karst formations and one of the world's deepest sinkholes in this geopark. Mt. Paektu UNESCO Global Geopark (North Korea) This is the first UNESCO Global Geopark to be recognised in North Korea. Volcanic eruptions and glacial erosion carved out its unique landscape. It's where one of the largest eruptions in recorded history occurred, leaving hot springs, carbonised trees, and magma channels still visible today. Kebumen UNESCO Global Geopark (Indonesia) Here, you can find the oldest rock formations in Java, alongside caves, underground rivers, and ancient marine fossils preserved in the rocks at the Karangsambung site. It's the centre of some important conservation work, such as turtle conservation and the preservation of traditional pandan leaf weaving. Meratus UNESCO Global Geopark (Indonesia) Diamonds, a great diversity of orchids, and the oldest ophiolite sequence in Indonesia – those are some wonders you can find in this geopark. It's also been instrumental in bolstering the numbers of the once-endangered Benkantan long-nosed monkey thanks to its role in restoring mangroves. The park is also home to the Banjar and Dayak tribes, who continue to hold traditional festivals and events there. Danyang UNESCO Global Geopark (South Korea) UNESCO recognises this geopark as "significant for our understanding of early human history in East Asia" thanks to its wealth of Stone Age relics. Lying along the Baekdu Daegan mountain range, the geopark is dotted with limestone caves, hiking and sightseeing trails, South Korea's largest paragliding facility, and also hosts rich educational programmes for visitors. Gyeongbuk Donghaean UNESCO Global Geopark (South Korea) Spectacular highlights in this geopark include the Deokgu Valley, featuring awe-inspiring granite rocks and hot springs, the 870-metre-deep Seongryugal Limestone Cave, and the Yangnam Columnar Joints, famous for its rare fan-shaped columnar joints along the coast. The park also boasts numerous cultural attractions, including the Seokguran Grotto and the Bulguksa Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Lang Son UNESCO Global Geopark (Vietnam) From ancient seabeds and lush tropical ecosystems to the traces of Vietnam's earliest human inhabitants, this geopark is a vast natural museum that records millions of years of Southeast Asia's evolution. Today, diverse ethnic groups call this park home, preserving unique languages, traditional dress, folk arts, and festivals.
Indian Express
27-04-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Daily subject-wise quiz : International Relations MCQs on reports published by the World Bank, axis of resistance and more (Week 107)
With reference to the Global Geoparks, consider the following statements: 1. They are single, unified geographical areas where sites and landscapes of international geological significance are managed with a holistic concept of protection, education and sustainable development. 2. They are managed by UNICEF. 3. Recently, North Korea recorded its historic first with the inclusion of its site in the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network. 4. India has six Global Geoparks sites. How many of the statements given above are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four Explanation — UNESCO has added 16 additional sites from 11 nations to its Global Geoparks Network, which celebrates its tenth anniversary this year. The new geoparks are in China, North Korea, Ecuador, Indonesia, Italy, Norway, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Spain, the United Kingdom, and Vietnam. Hence, statement 2 is not correct. — North Korea achieved a historic first by including its site in the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network, while Saudi Arabia made its debut on the list with two newly recognised geoparks. Hence, statement 3 is correct. — With the new additions, the Network now has 229 locations in 50 nations, covering almost 855,000 square kilometres – an area roughly the size of Namibia. — UNESCO Global Geoparks are single, undivided geographical areas in which sites and landscapes of international geological significance are administered using a comprehensive approach to protection, education, and sustainable development. Hence, statement 1 is correct. — As of July 2024, India does not have any UNESCO Global Geoparks. While India has identified several geological heritage sites and is exploring the idea of developing geoparks, none have yet been recognised by UNESCO. Hence, statement 4 is not correct. Consider the following reports: 1. World Development Report 2. Global Financial Stability Report 3. Poverty and Shared Prosperity 4. World Economic Outlook Which of the reports given above are published by the World Bank? (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 3 and 4 only (d) 1 and 3 only — The World Bank's latest India Country Economic Memorandum states that India must expedite reforms in order to achieve high income status by 2047, which would necessitate an average annual growth rate of 7.8 percent. The research advocated for a move from 'business as usual' to 'accelerated reforms' that would focus on productivity growth, revitalising and sustaining investment, creating quality jobs, and enhancing growth fundamentals in low-income states. — Some of the reports published by the World Bank are: (i) World Development Report: An annual flagship magazine with a special theme relating to global development. (ii) Global Economic Prospects (GEP): A semiannual report that examines worldwide economic trends, particularly in emerging and developing economies. (iv) Doing Business: A report that evaluates the regulatory environment for businesses in multiple nations. (v) Poverty and shared prosperity: Poverty reduction and inclusive growth are the primary objectives. — Global Financial Stability Report and World Economic Outlook are published by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). QUESTION 3 Which of the following countries has tested a hydrogen-based explosive that generates a white-hot firestorm lasting more than two seconds, 15 times longer than a standard TNT blast, without the use of nuclear material? (a) Russia (b) Japan (c) Ukraine — According to the South China Morning Post, Chinese researchers have tested a hydrogen-based explosive that produces a white-hot blaze lasting more than two seconds—15 times longer than a standard TNT blast— without the use of nuclear material. — According to a report published in the Journal of Projectiles, Rockets, Missiles, and Guidance, the 2-kilogram weapon detonated during a controlled field test and achieved temperatures of more than 1,000 degrees Celsius. The device was created by the 705 Research Institute of China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), a major developer in underwater weapons technology. — The bomb's persistent heat effect is due to its usage of magnesium hydride, a silvery powder that serves as a solid-state hydrogen storage material. Magnesium hydride, originally developed to power fuel cells in off-grid areas, emits hydrogen gas when heated, allowing for an extended exothermic reaction when ignited. With reference to the Catholic population, consider the following statements: 1. In 1910, Europe was home to 65% of Catholics. 2. Presently, the maximum population of Catholics live in South and Central America. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 Explanation — The College of Cardinals, which will assemble to elect a new head of the Catholic Church, may well choose someone from outside Europe, reflecting the shift in the worldwide basis of Catholicism (and Christianity in general) from Europe to the worldwide South. — According to the Annuarium Statisticum Ecclesiae 2023, published by the Vatican's Central Office of Church Statistics in March, the world's Catholic population will reach 1.4 billion in 2023. — More than 72% of the world's Catholics lived in South and Central America (41.2%), Africa (20%), and Asia (11%), combined. According to Vatican News, the Holy See 's official news source, 20.4% of the Catholic population lived in Europe, with 6.6% in North America. Hence, statement 2 is correct. — The situation was drastically different in the early twentieth century. According to Pew Research Centre data from 1910, Europe had 65% of Catholics and Latin America had about 24%. Hence, statement 1 is correct. The term 'axis of resistance' is often mentioned in the news. It is related to: (a) Canada (b) Russia (c) Myanmar — Saudi Arabia's Defence Minister, Prince Khalid bin Salman, met with Iran's Prime Minister and Chief of the Armed Forces, delivering a message from King Salman to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. — Iran continues to pursue a regional order that is shaped without the United States. Tehran's 'Axis of Resistance' has typically been a modular weapon that has turned on US forces in the region to inflict (usually limited) harm. This gives Tehran a powerful negotiation piece to inflict human and material expenses on the US military, which is scattered across bases in Arab states (with the largest in Qatar). — The ' axis of resistance ' has its roots in the Iranian Revolution of 1979, which allowed extreme Shia Muslim clergy to rise to power. — Former US President George W Bush is reported to have inspired the coalition's name by using the words 'axis of evil' in his 2002 State of the Union speech, referring to Iran, Iraq, and North Korea. — The Axis includes not just Hamas, the Palestinian group, but also the Hezbollah movement in Lebanon, the Houthi movement in Yemen, several Shi'ite armed factions in Iraq, and Syria.
