SP wants to own a geopark to protect one of the largest water reservoirs on the planet; You see where

São Paulo may be the first state geopark to have status granted by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) (UNESCO). At the next international conference of the organization, in September, the project of L.N Kurumpatai Geopark. Approval at this stage is an important milestone for the formation of the list of Brazilian geoparks along with five other modules already recognized.

Although they can be confused with the general public, geoparks are not related to national parks. Whereas traditional gardens are areas intended solely for recreation or natural protection, geoparks follow a specific definition.

They are regions recognized by UNESCO as broader regions, of scientific, cultural, scenic, geological, archaeological, zoological and historical significance. In addition to the ability to combine conservation and sustainable development.

“The word Geopark brings with it a protection strategy in which tourism is the driving force,” explains Alexandre Perinoto, geologist and professor at Unesp, responsible for submitting the Corumbataí Geopark project to UNESCO.

The Kurumbatai River basin has an area of ​​about 1,700 square kilometers and a population of about 700,000 inhabitants in the municipalities of Analandia, Itrapena, Kurumbatai, Rio Claro, Santa Gertrudis, Corderopolis, Ibina, Charkeda and Piracicaba in the interior of São Paulo.

The vast area of ​​Corumbataí Geopark contains waterfalls, lookouts, caves, cave paintings and archaeological artifacts. Among the tourist attractions is Morro do Cuscuzeiro, in Analandia, at an altitude of about 900 meters, of which about 50 meters is a vertical rock formation. Also of note is Saltão Waterfall, located in Itirapina, with its 75-meter waterfall.

In Rio Claro is the Edmundo Navarro de Andrade State Forest (Vienna). The site includes the Eucalyptus Museum, the largest imperial palm tree in the world, as well as walking and cycling trails.

The northern part of the Kurumbatay River Basin, which also borders the Geopark, is a recharge area of ​​the Guaraní Aquifer, the world’s largest source of transboundary groundwater, which covers the states of Goiás, Mato Grosso do Sul, Minas Gerais, São Paulo, Paraná, Santa Catarina, Rio Grande do Soleil, as well as Uruguay.

In addition to all these geological features and heritage, a geopark needs to consolidate other natural, cultural and intangible heritage aspects of the region. Therefore, Perinotto points out that the geopark contributes on several fronts, moving the economy, education and environmental conservation. “It makes the area develop in a sustainable way with economic gain, as has been shown in all geoparks in the world,” he says.

Brazil already has five geoparks: Araripe (south of Ceará, northwest of Pernambuco and east of Piauí), Cacapava do Sul (Rio Grande do Sul), Carta Colonia (Rio Grande do Sul), Ceredo (Rio Grande do Norte) and Caminhos dos Canyons (between Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul). Worldwide, there are 195 geoparks in 48 countries.

Before the official submission to UNESCO in September in Morocco, the scientific committee in charge of the project had to show the interest of the Ministry of International Relations, as well as fill out a checklist proposed by the organizing entity. In all, the project is made up of 22 people, with representatives from universities such as Unesp, USP, Unicamp, and UFSCar.

Before receiving the official seal the project will move, if approved at the conference, to ambitious geopark status. At that time, a visit is made by delegates from the organization who check that the set standards are being adhered to.

Once the project has been approved at all stages, it is finally granted UNESCO Global Geopark status. However, the geopark designation is only granted for four years. After that time, the performance and quality of the geopark is re-examined in a re-seal validation process.

“The outlook is very positive. We expect others to participate, the third sector, this public-private partnership along with city halls and universities, everyone collaborating to make the whole community benefit,” says Perino.