A regular meeting of the National Commission of Turkmenistan for UNESCO was held in Ashgabat. One of the key items on the agenda was a report on the ongoing work to establish geoparks, which encompass natural and cultural sites, as well as landscapes of international geological significance, as part of the UNESCO Geoparks Program.
The establishment of national geological parks in Turkmenistan is a promising aspect of environmentally friendly, non-industrial development.
Participants were briefed on the process for establishing geoparks, international experience, and the organization’s requirements.
The creation of such a site in Turkmenistan will be an important step in preserving the national natural heritage and developing ecotourism.
In this regard, the prospects for establishing a geopark that could join the global UNESCO Geoparks network were discussed. As noted, the country boasts unique geological sites. Of particular interest are the canyons on the southeastern shore of Garabogaz Bay and the mud volcanoes, which represent geological heritage of international significance.
The creation of geoparks in these areas can contribute to their comprehensive development – not only by protecting natural resources, but also by supporting the local economy, creating jobs, developing ecotourism, and raising public awareness of the significance of the region’s geological heritage.
