A new UNESCO program entitled “World Geoparks Unesco” in which five Greek areas participate was approved on Tuesday in Paris.

Aegean University professor and director of Sigri(Lesvos)Petrified Forest museum Nikos Zouros, who represented Greece in the Sciences Committee, told ANA-MPA that Unesco unanimously approved the creation of the new program of the International Organisation for Geoscience and Geoparks.”

All regions which are already included in the World Geoparks Network, 120 Geoparks spread across 33 countries, will participate in the program.

As Mr Zouros explains “this decision brings Greece to an advantageous position because it has already five areas that are designated “World Geoparks of Unesco” namely the island of Lesvos, the area of Psiloritis (Crete), the national forest of Vikos-Aoos (Epirus region), the national park of Chelmos-Vouraikos(northern Peloponnese) and the area of Sitia(Crete). The new program establishes the recognition of regions that have areas with special geological heritage and international recognition,”.

Professor Zouros said that “Geoparks are areas with significant geological heritage and rich natural and cultural environment which through the protection of nature and the education contribute to the development of the responsible tourism by enhancing the local economy and the sustainable growth,”.

Concluding Zouros said “The recognition by UNESCO of all these areas indicates the wealth of the Greek geological heritage as well as the special value of the geological, natural and cultural heritage of the Greek Geoparks at international level. In parallel it highlights the unique opportunity and potential via the promotion and their rational management in order to promote them as tourist destinations of excellency for the attraction of quality tourism and sustainable local development.”