Unique rock phenomenon near Belogradchik to become а European geopark

Anita Valentinova, source : expert.bg, 18 June 2009

The representative of the municipality of Belogradchik Georgi Gruev announced that the popular Belogradchik Rocks may acquire the status of a European geopark.
The municipality of Belogradchik and a group of university students from Moscow National University are arranging all of the necessary documents for the status change. Some necessary documents documentation was sent to UNESCO last summer.
However, in order for the application to be approved, the UNESCO commission requires additional information.
According to the definition of UNESCO, a geopark is a territory that comprises one or more objects of geological, archaeological, ecological or cultural worth. An international network of geoparks has also been created to oversee the safety of similar places.
The idea of preservation of such places has been commenced as a response to the realized need of international initiative which acknowledges those spots which are of interest for the geology.
The program “International network of geoparks” is aimed at the enhancement of the popularity of such places as simultaneously it creates labour opportunities and aids the regional economical development