EXPERIENCE OF NOMINATION OF GEOLOGICAL PARKS INTO THE UNESCO GLOBAL NETWORK

• Main Authors: Калуцкова Наталия Николаевна, Синьовски Димитр Славчев, Дронин Николай Михайлович, Синьовска Димка Христова, Шеремет Элина Алексеевна
• Format: Article
• Language: Russian
• Published: Moscow Region State University Editorial Office 2019-08-01
• Series: Вестник Московского государственного областного университета: Серия: Естественные науки
• Subjects: Bulgaria; global network of UNESCO geoparks; geo-sites; geological heritage; geological diversity; geotourism
• Online Access: http://vestnik-mgou.ru/Articles/View/13146

The paper analyzes typical problems of nomination into the UNESCO global geoparks’ network on the example of the protected area of the Belogradchik Rocks in Bulgaria. The territory received the highest scores in terms of geological diversity. External experts of UNESCO confirmed uniqueness of the territory as having no analogy in the global network of geoparks. Nevertheless the project was dismissed on the basis of management criteria such as elaboration of detailed master-plan of governance of the territory, including marketing and financial strategies, branding of local products, specialized educational programs, trip guides on six official UN languages, etc. The main obstacle was a requirement for territory to function as an actual destination of international geotourism at least one year prior to the nomination procedure. In our view, such conditions should be weakened at least for countries with transition economy where many interior regions experienced marginalization and depopulation.