Qeshm Geopark To Re-enter UNESCO List

Tehran, April 24, IRNA - Director of Regional Geological Centre on Qeshm Island said on Tuesday the country’s southern geopark located on the Persian Gulf island of Qeshm will re-enter the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) list in near future. Alireza Amrikazemi said the Qeshm geopark file will be sent to the Global Geopark Network in October 2013, adding the file will be examined for re-entry into UNESCO list. He also expressed hope that the Qeshm geopark could be re-entered the UNESCO list by the end of current Iranian year (March 20, 2014). UNESCO usually inspects and evaluates the performance of geoparks registered on its list. A geopark is a nationally protected area containing a number of geological heritage sites of particular importance, rarity or aesthetic appeal, with high historical and cultural interest and huge biodiversity. Over 30 hectares from the western part of Qeshm Island was allocated for the construction of geopark in 2003./end