Latest news with #GlobalGeopark
Daily Express
23-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
UNESCO Geopark status comes with responsibility
Published on: Friday, May 23, 2025 Published on: Fri, May 23, 2025 By: Jonathan Nicholas Text Size: Liew (fifth left) joins others in cutting a Mt Kinabalu-shaped cake to mark the 2nd anniversary of the Declaration of Kinabalu Geopark as a UNESCO Global Geopark. KOTA KINABALU: UNESCO Global Geopark recognition should be treated as a responsibility, not just a title of prestige, Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew said. In her opening address of the Malaysia Geopark Network Conference 2025, Liew called for stronger cooperation among government agencies, civil society, and local communities to ensure Malaysia's continued leadership in geoconservation and sustainable development. 'Let us not treat UNESCO recognition as a mere badge of honour. It comes with responsibility to protect, educate, and uplift,' she said. Malaysia currently has two UNESCO Global Geoparks, Langkawi, designated in 2007, and Kinabalu Geopark, recognised in 2023. Liew said Kinabalu's second anniversary as a UNESCO site reaffirms Sabah's commitment to environmental stewardship and ethical geotourism. She noted ongoing challenges in geopark development, including funding gaps, manpower shortages, and limited public awareness. Addressing these, she said, is key to expanding Malaysia's geopark network in a meaningful way. Advertisement Jointly organised by Sabah Parks and the Malaysia Geopark Network, the conference brings together stakeholders from across the country to exchange strategies and strengthen the country's national geopark framework. Liew also encouraged the private sector to invest in responsible geotourism and urged communities to serve as local champions for conservation. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
The Star
23-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Geoparks key to sustainable growth, says Liew
Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Christina Liew (centre) joins others in cutting a Mt Kinabalu-shaped cake to mark the second anniversary of the Declaration of Kinabalu Geopark as a UNESCO Global Geopark in Kota Kinabalu on Thursday (May 22). KOTA KINABALU: Geoparks are more than just scenic destinations as they are also vital platforms for sustainable development, says Datuk Seri Christina Liew. The Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister also said geoparks are sites for geological heritage conservation, education, and community-driven economic growth. 'Geoparks show that conservation and economic progress can go hand in hand. "They empower local communities, raise public awareness of natural heritage, and support sustainable tourism,' she said at the launch of the Malaysia Geopark Network Conference 2025 here on Thursday (May 22). She added that in addition to offering stunning landscapes, geoparks also give visitors the chance to learn about the planet's history, local culture, and the importance of sustainability. Liew noted that Malaysia has made significant progress in this area, starting with Langkawi's designation as South-East Asia's first Unesco Global Geopark in 2007. With Kinabalu Geopark gaining global recognition in 2023, Malaysia now has 12 national geoparks rich in geological, biological and cultural value, she said. 'This effort strengthens Malaysia's role on the global stage in geoheritage preservation and supports sustainable development at both national and international levels,' she said. Given Malaysia's rich geology, culture and ecosystems, Liew said, the country holds strong potential for more geopark designations. She called on all stakeholders to continue supporting effective geopark management, urging local communities to become ambassadors for their respective sites and encouraging the private sector to develop tourism responsibly. However, she acknowledged several challenges, including limited resources, low public awareness and weak coordination among stakeholders. Describing the conference as timely, Liew said it provided a crucial space for experts to exchange ideas, build networks and forge a stronger path forward. 'That is why Sabah Parks organised this conference … to bring together stakeholders from across the country to share insights and experiences in managing geopark areas,' she said. Commending Sabah Parks and the Malaysia Geopark Network for hosting the event, she reiterated Sabah's commitment to becoming a leader in geoconservation.
The Herald Scotland
21-04-2025
- General
- The Herald Scotland
Consultation launched to help protect rare birds at Highland loch
Supported by The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), NatureScot and the Local Access Forum, the consultation will run until Friday May 16 and invites feedback on potential guidance asking visitors not to canoe, paddleboard or swim at the east end of the loch between March 1 and August 31. Since 2020, an increase in water sports on the loch has led to more incidents of disturbance during the breeding season, when Slavonian grebes build hidden nests in reeds and swim out onto the open water to find food. READ MORE: Scottish island awarded Global Geopark status by UNESCO Loch Lomond rainforest project receives cash boost Wildlife body warns over progress on nature recovery The entire UK breeding population of Slavonian grebes is usually found on lochs within 30 miles of Inverness and has fallen from a peak of around 80 breeding pairs in the early 1990s to only 15 in 2023. At Loch Ruthven, the number of breeding pairs has dropped to just three in 2024. It is hoped that by reducing noise and movement on the loch, the birds would be more likely to achieve a successful breeding season preventing further decline in numbers. The consultation is being hosted by The Highland Council, the local Access Authority with duties and powers to help manage outdoor access rights in their area. For more information on the consultation and to share your views, please visit: Consultation on Local Access Guidance for Loch Ruthven
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Yahoo
North Korea's sacred Mount Paektu designated as UNESCO Global Geopark
High atop the Korean Peninsula, past military checkpoints and bumpy dirt roads in one of the world's most secretive countries, rises a volcano and deep crater lake steeped in symbolism. Mount Paektu, an active stratovolcano straddling the border of North Korea and China, is the highest peak on the Korean peninsula and lies at the heart of North Korea's foundation myth. The North Korean side of the mountain was recently designated a UNESCO Global Geopark, according to South Korean news agency Yonhap, marking North Korea's first natural site to be included on the list. The executive board of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) recognized the site for its 'impressive natural and cultural heritage,' including its volcanic eruptions and geological features, in a meeting held in February. But to grasp the significance, you have to stand at the edge of Lake Chon — a caldera around 7,200 feet above sea level, formed by a massive eruption more than a thousand years ago — and feel the wind cut across your face. I did just that in June 2017, as one of the few Western journalists to reach Paektu's summit from the North Korean side. The trip, sanctioned and closely monitored by Pyongyang, offered rare access — and a window into how the regime elevates this mountain into something almost divine. The mountain was the birthplace of Dangun, the mythical founder of the first Korean kingdom, according to North Korean legend. Kim Il Sung, North Korea's founder and Kim Jong Un's grandfather, purportedly used the mountain as a hideout when fighting against the Japanese occupation for independence in the 1940s. State media often refers to the eldest Kim in reference to the mountain, using titles like the 'legendary hero of Paektu.' North Korea claims Kim Jong Il, the late leader and father of Kim Jong Un, was born near Paektu's summit. Guides showed me a wooden cabin where, they say, snow melted and the sun broke through, flowers bloomed, and a new star appeared in the sky to mark his birth. There's no historical evidence for this and many scholars believe Kim was likely born in Russia, but the story is told without a hint of doubt throughout North Korea. Paektu isn't just a mountain — it's a national altar. The mountain has been widely used by the Kim dynasty to showcase the family's own lore and deification. Its peaks have been emblazoned on the country's national emblem and its name has been lent to everything from rockets to power stations and, occasionally, the country itself. North Korean society prizes racial purity and state propaganda glorifies the Kim family for their 'Mount Paektu bloodline,' which is said to be a noble and heroic lineage tied to the ancient legendary kings of the Korean peninsula. 'This is the soul of Korea's revolution,' a guide told me, as North Korean pilgrims stood quietly nearby, some in tears, believing they were on hallowed ground. Kim Hong Un has often visited the sacred mountain, usually before major shakeups — like the 2013 execution of his uncle and the 2016 nuclear test. In 2018, he brought then-South Korean President Moon Jae-in up to the summit in a rare moment of unity. Moon, who stood at the top clutching Kim's hand alongside their wives, called the visit the realization of a dream. 'I wondered if I was ever going to have a chance (to come here) but my wish has come true,' Moon said. For Koreans on both sides of the border, reaching the peak has long been a rite of passage, but access has been closed off to most living in South Korea. In 2019, North Korean state media released photographs of Kim riding on a white horse up the sacred mountain on at least two separate occasions amid tensions on the peninsula. In its recognition, the UNESCO executive board cited Paektu's volcanic legacy, valleys shaped by glacial erosion, and rocky plains as part of its global significance. It also noted the 'millennial eruption' that occurred on Mount Paektu more than a thousand years ago in 946 CE — one of the most powerful volcanic eruptions in recorded history. Currently, there are more than 200 geoparks in 49 countries, according to the organization. UNESCO Global Geoparks are recognized as 'single, unified geographical areas where sites and landscapes of international geological significance are managed with a holistic concept of protection, education and sustainable development.' Last year, the UNESCO board designated the Chinese side of the mountain as a global geopark under its Chinese name, Changbaishan. North Korea sought the UNESCO geopark designation in 2019, a year before China, but an on-site inspection of the site in North Korea was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. With the designation, Pyongyang may now try to rebrand Paektu as a geotourism destination — promoting its natural wonders as well as Korean mythology. Back in 2017, the journey to Paektu took us through remote farming villages where children ran away from our cameras — some likely having never seen a foreigner. In Samjiyon, the closest town, monuments to Kim Il Sung dot the landscape, and buildings bear scars from battles with Japanese occupiers. Life near Paektu is rural and sparse. But the people we met spoke with quiet pride — of their history, their home, and the belief that they live in a place that matters. With this UNESCO recognition, Mount Paektu is now not just a national symbol, but recognized as a site of global geological value. Whether that leads to more engagement or remains another tool for Pyongyang's narrative is unclear. For now, the mountain stands, its slopes cloaked in clouds and its stories passed down through generations. And if you ever find yourself at the summit, staring into Lake Chon and breathing in the frigid air, you might understand why so many, North and South, believe it holds the soul of Korea. CNN's Yoonjung Seo and Joshua Berlinger contributed to this report.
CNN
15-04-2025
- CNN
North Korea's sacred Mount Paektu designated as UNESCO Global Geopark
High atop the Korean Peninsula, past military checkpoints and bumpy dirt roads in one of the world's most secretive countries, rises a volcano and deep crater lake steeped in symbolism. Mount Paektu, an active stratovolcano straddling the border of North Korea and China, is the highest peak on the Korean peninsula and lies at the heart of North Korea's foundation myth. The North Korean side of the mountain was recently designated a UNESCO Global Geopark, according to South Korean news agency Yonhap, marking North Korea's first natural site to be included on the list. The executive board of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) recognized the site for its 'impressive natural and cultural heritage,' including its volcanic eruptions and geological features, in a meeting held in February. But to grasp the significance, you have to stand at the edge of Lake Chon — a caldera around 7,200 feet above sea level, formed by a massive eruption more than a thousand years ago — and feel the wind cut across your face. I did just that in June 2017, as one of the few Western journalists to reach Paektu's summit from the North Korean side. The trip, sanctioned and closely monitored by Pyongyang, offered rare access — and a window into how the regime elevates this mountain into something almost divine. The mountain was the birthplace of Dangun, the mythical founder of the first Korean kingdom, according to North Korean legend. Kim Il Sung, North Korea's founder and Kim Jong Un's grandfather, purportedly used the mountain as a hideout when fighting against the Japanese occupation for independence in the 1940s. State media often refers to the eldest Kim in reference to the mountain, using titles like the 'legendary hero of Paektu.' North Korea claims Kim Jong Il, the late leader and father of Kim Jong Un, was born near Paektu's summit. Guides showed me a wooden cabin where, they say, snow melted and the sun broke through, flowers bloomed, and a new star appeared in the sky to mark his birth. There's no historical evidence for this and many scholars believe Kim was likely born in Russia, but the story is told without a hint of doubt throughout North Korea. Paektu isn't just a mountain — it's a national altar. The mountain has been widely used by the Kim dynasty to showcase the family's own lore and deification. Its peaks have been emblazoned on the country's national emblem and its name has been lent to everything from rockets to power stations and, occasionally, the country itself. North Korean society prizes racial purity and state propaganda glorifies the Kim family for their 'Mount Paektu bloodline,' which is said to be a noble and heroic lineage tied to the ancient legendary kings of the Korean peninsula. 'This is the soul of Korea's revolution,' a guide told me, as North Korean pilgrims stood quietly nearby, some in tears, believing they were on hallowed ground. Kim Hong Un has often visited the sacred mountain, usually before major shakeups — like the 2013 execution of his uncle and the 2016 nuclear test. In 2018, he brought then-South Korean President Moon Jae-in up to the summit in a rare moment of unity. Moon, who stood at the top clutching Kim's hand alongside their wives, called the visit the realization of a dream. 'I wondered if I was ever going to have a chance (to come here) but my wish has come true,' Moon said. For Koreans on both sides of the border, reaching the peak has long been a rite of passage, but access has been closed off to most living in South Korea. In 2019, North Korean state media released photographs of Kim riding on a white horse up the sacred mountain on at least two separate occasions amid tensions on the peninsula. In its recognition, the UNESCO executive board cited Paektu's volcanic legacy, valleys shaped by glacial erosion, and rocky plains as part of its global significance. It also noted the 'millennial eruption' that occurred on Mount Paektu more than a thousand years ago in 946 CE — one of the most powerful volcanic eruptions in recorded history. Currently, there are more than 200 geoparks in 49 countries, according to the organization. UNESCO Global Geoparks are recognized as 'single, unified geographical areas where sites and landscapes of international geological significance are managed with a holistic concept of protection, education and sustainable development.' Last year, the UNESCO board designated the Chinese side of the mountain as a global geopark under its Chinese name, Changbaishan. North Korea sought the UNESCO geopark designation in 2019, a year before China, but an on-site inspection of the site in North Korea was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. With the designation, Pyongyang may now try to rebrand Paektu as a geotourism destination — promoting its natural wonders as well as Korean mythology. Back in 2017, the journey to Paektu took us through remote farming villages where children ran away from our cameras — some likely having never seen a foreigner. In Samjiyon, the closest town, monuments to Kim Il Sung dot the landscape, and buildings bear scars from battles with Japanese occupiers. Life near Paektu is rural and sparse. But the people we met spoke with quiet pride — of their history, their home, and the belief that they live in a place that matters. With this UNESCO recognition, Mount Paektu is now not just a national symbol, but recognized as a site of global geological value. Whether that leads to more engagement or remains another tool for Pyongyang's narrative is unclear. For now, the mountain stands, its slopes cloaked in clouds and its stories passed down through generations. And if you ever find yourself at the summit, staring into Lake Chon and breathing in the frigid air, you might understand why so many, North and South, believe it holds the soul of Korea. CNN's Yoonjung Seo and Joshua Berlinger contributed to this report.
