Application documents and supporting material must be verified
and assessed before an on-the-spot evaluation by an independent
expert group from the UNESCO, which will then make its
recommendation for the applicant geopark.
Nominations will be finalized by a meeting of international
experts every two years.
More than just criteria
Under the guidelines of the criteria, Jiang outlined work
assignments for each of the applicants.
"The application material submitted should be practical and
realistic and each applicant park is supposed to display
substantial achievements in park construction," Jiang said.
Based on the experience of two previous rounds of application
and appraisal, the director-general required these geoparks to make
full preparations for the upcoming UNESCO examination in
autumn.
They are expected to prepare at least two language (Chinese and
English) versions of self-promotion movies as well as other
multi-media introduction material.
As to field study by experts, the study route is supposed to
highlight the popularization of science, local culture and species,
showcasing the relationship between geography and local life style
and production mode.
Furthermore, at the MLR's request, each candidate park should
set up a work team to take charge of the whole application
process.
With regard to infrastructure construction, the applicant park
is expected to establish or rebuild a geological museum, considered
vital for attracting visitors, especially those with a scientific
bent of mind.
"The park construction should pay more attention to the
combination between geological protection and tourism and economic
development, making local culture a prominent feature," Jiang
stressed.
According to Li Minglu, an official with the MLR's Department of
Geological Environment, mid-May could be the deadline for
application preparation.
MLR sources said the application and assessment for "national
geopark" listing will be suspended in China this year so that
authorities concerned will focus on strengthening supervision and
management of the present national geoparks, helping them develop
healthily and fulfil their expected functions.
(China Daily March 3, 2006)
