World Heritage n°52 - Earth heritage : A common past… and future

Friday, May 1, 2009

In focus

• Earth heritage : A common past… and future
  The history of Earth spans some 3.5 billion years. In recognition of the 2008 International Year of Planet Earth, this issue will focus on the world’s geological heritage and help us understand the key events in the history of life on our planet, beginning with an overview of the primary World Heritage sites that display geological values.
• Treasures and challenges of World Heritage volcanoes
  Volcanoes have played an important role in the geological history of the Earth, and they still modify and transform the landscape. Many natural sites insribed on the World Heritage List include active or dormant volcanoes.
• Aeons of erosion: Karst landscapes on the World Heritage List
  The word karst stems from karra or gara, meaning stone. The karst landscapes of the kocjan Caves (Slovenia) and South China Karst (China) World Heritage sites are both characterized by caves, dry valleys, gorges, natural bridges, fluted rock outcrops and large springs.
• Icons of the record of life: Fossil World Heritage sites
  Fossils are evidence of ancient life in the form of bones, shells, tracks, trails, carbonized impressions, moulds or casts. World Heritage fossil sites have played a significant role in reconstructing and demonstrating this history.

Close-up

• Global Network of National Geoparks
  Geoparks use a holistic approach to conservation where all aspects of the natural and cultural heritage are valued, conserved and promoted under the geopark label.

Forum

• Interview: Peter Bobrowsky, Secretary general for the International Union of Geological Sciences and Andrew Goudie, Chair of the International Association of Geomorphologists.
• Advisory bodies: World Heritage at IUCN’s World Conservation Congress
• Conventions: Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity comes into being: Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage to enter into force
• Profile: Preserving Petra Dr Talal Akasheh and the Geographic Information System

News

• Preservation
  Rehabilitation of San Sebastian Fortress; Disaster Risk Reduction Programme developed for World Heritage sites; Altai Mountains Workshop; Australian Funds-in-Trust support activities in Asia-Pacific; Lalibela Conservation Action Plan implemented; Reactive monitoring mission to Edinburgh; Workshop on birthplace of the Lord Buddha; Aksum Obelisk restored following reinstalation; Indian mayors visit five French cities; World Heritage Cities Act; Riga and Lyon cooperate; Periodic reporting: what have we learned?
• In Danger
  Consolidation of the Humberstone and Santa Laura Saltpeter Works (Chile); Mining incompatible with World Heritage status of Mount Nimba; New crisis at Virunga National Park (Democratic Republic of the Congo); LRA Rebels attack Garamba National Park (DRC) Headquarters
• Outreach
  Patrimonito Volunteer Camp a success; Fellowships awarded for World Heritage; European Commission contributes €2.5 million to Central Africa World Heritage Forest Initiative; Tides of Time; ‘Alliance of World Heritage Cultural Landscapes’ formed; Spain honours the UNESCO World Heritage Centre; Launch of 2009 International Year of Astronomy; World Heritage Centre receives World Tourism Award; UNESCO signs partnership with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA); Ashok Khosla new President of IUCN; Joining of volcanic forces; ICOMOS elects new leadership; 2008-2009 World Heritage map available; Sky race for heritage; Jim Charleton
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