Published on : Friday, June 14, 2019
The support was requested to the minister by a delegation of mayors that are part of an intermunicipal consortium that manages the actions of the tourist region. The expectation is that after the certification, the place will receive six times more tourists.
The suit will be presented by the minister at a meeting to be held with the United Nations body next week in Paris, France.
“We are going to have the greatest pleasure and commitment to be able to put this geopark there at UNESCO”, said Marcelo Álvaro Antônio.
Located between seven municipalities of Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul, the tourist region has an area of 2,830 square kilometers, which includes geological heritage and landscapes of international geological relevance.
In addition, the site covers outstanding ecosystems in Brazil and has a rich cultural heritage, representative of different people who live in that region.
In granting the title of geopark, UNESCO ensures the sustainability, preservation and environmental protection of these areas, and also promotes the involvement of the inhabitants of the region.
At the 38th General Conference of UNESCO (2015), member states have ratified the creation of the global geoparks seal, which shows the importance accorded by governments to the management of exceptional sites and geological landscapes. With the recognition of the international organization, these areas increase the tourist capacity of the region.
Currently, in Brazil, only the Geological Park of Araripe, in Ceará, is certified by UNESCO. In the world, there are 147 geoparks qualified by UNESCO in 41 countries.