Geoparks: integrated and intelligent land management by local communities, based on geological heritage (With emphasis on GSI)

The Geoparks, a UNESCO initiative, are important strategies in order to achieve goals such as sustainability and environmental protection, rehabilitation and economic stability of local communities (employment, income), creation of social welfare in rural areas and low population centers which are low interest of industrial, mining and oil budgets. The goal of UNESCO Global Geoparks is to reconnect humans to the Earth we live on by showcasing ۴.۶ billion years of geological history that have shaped, and continue to shape, all aspects of the inhabitants’ lives. The Geoparks also aim to raise awareness among local communities of the need to protect the Earth for future generations. Regarding to the history of geotourism and geoparks studies as well as specialized activities carried out over last two decades in Geological Survey of Iran (GSI) and following approval of a law in the Council of Ministers, GSI was introduced as "The National Reference for Identification, Capacity Assessment and Determination of Technical Criteria to Geoparks study in Iran". On this basis, the National Geoparks Committee of Iran has been formed under auspices of the GSI aiming at cooperation and coordination between relevant organizations in the field of“Identification ,Conservation ,Introduction and exploitation of geoparks". Main objectives of National Geoparks Committee are as follows:۱. Determining vision, goals and policies for the development of geoparks in compliance with legal considerations.۲. Setting appropriate platform to identify geoheritage and increasing public awareness on importance of preserving the heritage for present and future generations.۳. Coordinating and conducting activities between relevant institutions and practitioners in order to facilitate and develop geoparks.۴. Organizing and integrating required criteria for geopark's identification, administration, protection, introduction and exploitation through participation of all relevant organizations"۵. Compiling technical and specialized guidelines for geopark projects through participation of relevant institutions۶. Setting up the national network of geoparks in Iran

کلیدواژه ها:

Geopark ، Geotourism ، Geological heritage ، UNESCO Global Geoparks ، GSI