Sanqing Mountain National Geopark, a newly developed scenic spot featuring granite geology and landscapes, is stepping up its efforts to gain entry onto the world natural heritage list.
Located in Shangrao, East China's Jiangxi Province, the park boasts a scenic area of 398 square kilometres with 88 per cent of forest coverage. Granite landscapes, various varieties of rare plants and birds, gorges and unique ecological scenes can be seen everywhere.
The geopark has been listed by the Ministry of Construction as one of two candidates eligible to apply to make it onto the world natural heritage list of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization in 2006.
Preparations
To quicken the pace of preparations to enter the world natural heritage list, local authorities and the park's administration committee recently invited more than 100 famous domestic and overseas experts and scholars, specializing in geology, landscapes and tourism, to ask for their advice and suggestions.
There is a lot of work for Sanqing Mountain Geopark to achieve before it is included in the world natural heritage list, said Dr Chris Wood from Bournemouth University of Britain.
The work includes drafting nomination documents, development of models describing the origin of Sanqing Mountain granite landform types, said Wood, also a geologist with the World Heritage Centre.
More attention should be paid to the development of the models showing altitudinal zones in the geological and ecological landscape of Sanqing Mountain. It is important to support the idea of a completely integrated ecological system and the concept of integrity, he said.
Links with leading international scientists that have visited or know of Sanqing Mountain and might provide a statement in support of the international heritage value of the mountain should be established.
The nomination documents of the United Kingdom Dorset and East Devon World Heritage Site is a good model for applicant authorities to follow, said Wood.
It is taking longer than expected to go through the procedures to be included as a nominee for the world heritage list. The Ministry of Construction needed to submit the nomination documents to UNESCO China National Committee by August this year.
The committee, however, is expected to submit it to the World Heritage Centre by February 2007. If it is accepted, the centre will set up a panel and send specialists to conduct on-the-spot investigations. If everything goes well, Sanqing Mountain Geopark will be on the list in 2008, Wood told China Daily.
"I didn't know where Sanqing Mountain was six months ago. But I was fascinated by the beautiful and unique granite landscapes on seeing it," said Professor Piotr Migon from the University of Wroclaw of Poland.
Geological treasure
Whether from the point of view of a geologist or from that of an ordinary tourist, Sanqing Mountain is just like a hidden treasure.
"I hope my colleagues in China and other countries make a great effort to promote it internationally through writing articles, publishing research material and via the Internet, to let people know about the beautiful Sanqing Mountain," said Migon.
Migon hopes to hear people say: "Oh, I know the mountain; why hasn't it been included on the world natural heritage list". Publicity is very important and helpful to applications for inclusion onto the heritage list, he said.
In applying for a spot on the list, Sanqing Mountain has an advantage, which is its diverse granite landscapes. However, there is one problem. There are several granite landscapes in the world, which are also beautiful and applying to gain a spot on the list.
Sanqing Mountain Geopark has to highlight its specific features, said Dr Franz Wolfgang Eder, a honourary member of the World Geoparks of UNESCO.
Sanqing Mountain's entire landscape has irreplaceable value of natural conservation in terms of geology and geomorphology, biological diversity, complete ecological system and aesthetics, said Dr Li Jianghai from Peking University.
In fact, the process of applying for entry onto the world natural heritage list is a progression in terms of protecting the natural resources.
So careful work should be done to avoid any accidents such as forest fires, said Deng Wei, an official from the Ministry of Construction.
Status-quo
To achieve the goal, the geoparks' administration committee worked out "the Regulations on Administration of Sanqing Mountain Scenic Spot Area," under which the mountain's landscapes will be managed and conserved in a legal way.
China currently has 31 sites included on the World Heritage List, ranking third behind Spain and Italy.
"The World Heritage Committee focuses on protection," according to Tian Xiaogang, secretary-general of the UNESCO China National Committee.
In order to strengthen the protection of China's natural heritage, the Ministry of Construction has compiled a list of natural sites and sites with both natural and cultural importance.
The Ministry of Construction is in charge of picking nominees for natural heritage sites and sites with both natural and cultural properties, while the Ministry of Culture is in charge of cultural sites.
Among the 31 world heritage sites in China, only four were included for their natural properties, and five for both natural and cultural properties, according to the website of the Ministry of Culture.
Currently, more than 200 sites in China aim to apply for entry onto the list. Among them, more than 60 sites have been put on the world heritage preparatory list. These include 17 natural sites, around 30 cultural sites and 13 mixed ones.
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