Fforest Fawr Geopark granted similar status to World Heritage sites

Wales
South Wales
And Finally
Environment
Wednesday 30 December 2015 at 6:00am

Fforest Fawr Geopark has been given international recognition.

Fforest Fawr Geopark in the Brecon Beacons has been recognised as one of the UK's seven Global Geoparks under a new UNESCO initiative.

The programme is the first formal recognition of Global Geoparks and confers on them the same status of UNESCO's World Heritage Sites, which includes the likes of Stonehenge and the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct.

The status recognises an area of outstanding geological interest together with its distinct industrial, cultural and archaeological heritage, where the local communities promote the local, unique geology to stimulate economic development in the area.

The new status recognises an area of outstanding geological interest.

Alan Bowring, the Geopark Development Officer, says the park offers much to visitors who come to the area.

The UK's seven Global Geoparks are a national treasure, not just in terms of their geological interest but the enthusiasm and dedication of their local champions who work so hard to maintain them and to make the most of the educational and economic opportunities they offer. They are a great illustration of local communities working very effectively in some of the most remote and beautiful areas of the UK. But I appreciate that they are also a bit of a national secret, not widely recognised by visitors or even by many of those who live within their boundaries. I hope that the UNESCO brand will give our Global Geoparks the same recognition factor as World Heritage Sites - a visible guarantee of their international significance and an assurance that they are great places to visit and explore.