10th Anniversary of Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark (with photo)
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To mark the 10th anniversary of Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark (Hong Kong Geopark), the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) today (July 11) held the 10th anniversary celebration programme kick-off ceremony cum community seminar at the Hong Kong Science Museum.
Speaking at the kick-off ceremony, the Secretary for the Environment, Mr Wong Kam-sing said that geopark is not only limited to geo-conservation, but also preserves the history and cultural heritage of various communities which have been handed down through centuries. “The AFCD has devoted resources in exploring the livelihood, history and culture of different communities in geopark. With the support of the local communities, the AFCD has established ‘Story Rooms’, which are visitor centres, at Ap Chau in 2018, Kat O and Kau Sai Village in 2019, and Lai Chi Wo in 2021, and published a series of books, namely ‘Same Roots • Same Origins’,” he said.
He also pointed out that Hong Kong Geopark has attached great importance to building collaboration with stakeholders, such as local communities, non-governmental organisations and relevant government departments, and promoting geopark with them in an innovative way. As the first event to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Hong Kong Geopark, stakeholders have been invited to join the Geopark Community Seminar to share their thoughts and experience to strengthen connection and collaboration.
Hong Kong Geopark is located in the northeast New Territories and the Sai Kung district. Globally rare acidic volcanic hexagonal rock columns are widely distributed in Sai Kung area, while a series of sedimentary rocks in the northeastern New Territories were formed over a period of 400 million years.
Hong Kong Geopark became a National Geopark of China in 2009 and a member of the Global Geoparks Network in 2011. With the formalisation of the Geopark Programme by the UNESCO in 2015, Hong Kong Geopark was renamed Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark, and is committed to conserving geoheritage, ecological environment, cultural and intangible cultural heritage; developing diversified educational activities and boosting local sustainable development.
The AFCD will later introduce two new facilities: Kat O Heritage Trail and the revamped Lai Chi Wo Geoheritage Centre to enhance visitors’ experience and further promote local history, cultural and intangible cultural heritage. The AFCD will roll out a series of public activities in the next six months, including public talks, roving exhibitions and community fairs. Through these activities, visitors will learn more about Hong Kong Geopark from various perspectives and experience its unique geological, ecological and cultural features.
The AFCD has launched a thematic webpage for Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark 10th Anniversary: 10.geopark.gov.hk. Members of the public can refer to the website for details of celebration events.