Improve Geoconservation Institution
The Geopark is protected by law, and strictly observes the Regulations on Geoconservation, Fossils Conservation Ordinances, National Development Priority Zones Planning (National geoparks belong to prohibited development zones), National Geopark Construction Standards, etc. In addition, Qianshan County Government formulated the Measures for Administration of Tianzhushan Geopark, Geological Heritage Protection, thus strengthening geoconservation.
2.2 Formulate Planning Scientifically
Tianzhushan Geopark has revised the Planning on Tianzhushan Global Geopark which divides the geopark into four levels of protected areas: special protected areas, first-level protected areas, second-level protected areas, and third-level protected areas, explicitly stipulating the control requirement and the protection measures for each protected area, Any construction activities which do not conform to the protection framework and all exploitation or mining activities shall be prohibited in the protected areas.The geopark has formulated The Protection Planning on the Paleocene Mammalian Fossil Sites in Tianzhushan Global Geopark to protect and facilitate the conservation, control and scientific utilization of the valuable fossils
2.3 Strengthening Protection, Promotion and Education
Tianzhushan Geopark has employed and trained more rangers, strengthened administrative management, dealt with illegal activities which damage resources and the environment, and recruited volunteers in the communities to protect the geosites. Tianzhushan Geopark has raised public awareness about geoconservation through guides, interpretation, outdoor display, media and different educational activities on “World Environment Day”, “Earth Day”, and “Science Popularization Week”, etc.
Tianzhushan Geopark has been publicizing the importance and methods of geoheritage protection and enhancing public awareness on geoconservation through guides’ explanations, outdoor display, media publicity and various themed publicity and education activities such as “World Environment Day”, “Earth Day”, and “Science Popularization Week”, etc.
2.4 Implementing a series of Protection Projects In August 2013, Tianzhushan Geopark began the project of “Protection of Paleocene Mammal Fossils in Tianzhushan Global Geopark”, with a total investment budget of 79 million RMB, of which 44 million RMB was government subsidy and 35 million RMB was self-raised. The project is expected to be completed by July 2015, and it includes fossil research, construction of fossil protection projects and construction of fossil science popularization facilities.
The geopark has completed the project “Tianzhu Villa—Alchemy Lake Geoconservation” with a total investment of 2.1million RMB, of which the provincial government provided a subsidy of 1 million RMB.
Tianzhushan Geopark has spent 15 million RMB on perfecting sewage treatment and garbage collection facilities, realising the centrally managed collection, transfer and treatment of garbage and sewage waste in accordance with the standards of the park.
In 2012, the geopark obtained the ISO14001 Environmental Management System Certificate and set an environmental standard for industry admission.
Environmentally-friendly hiking trails have been built in the Geopark, along which barriers, explanation signs, and warning signs have been set up, and special measures have been taken to protect the vegetation, water and rocks along the trails.
The geoheritage database and video monitoring system of key geosites have been built to continuously monitor the key geosites. The building of the Smart Geopark will enhance the ability of digitization management and protection.
2.5 Other Work of Natural and Cultural Heritage Protection
Since 2011, Tianzhushan Geopark has been making efforts to win state funding to rebuild Tianzhushan Forestry Center and 4 forest protection stations. They are Heping, Hewan, Hutouya and Changgo and 9 workstations. Meanwhile the forestry protection and production equipment has been adequately provided.
The geopark is implementing the project of “Biodiversity Conservation of Tianzhushan” with a total investment budget of 150 million RMB, of which 15 million euros (about 120 million RMB) was loaned from the German government. The project is aimed at establishing a biodiversity rehabilitation, protection and monitoring system to improve the ecosystem and forest landscape of Tianzhushan.
The Geopark has taken precautions against forest fires and pests to ensure the safety of rare species and ancient rare trees, prohibited hunting, cracked down on the illegal trade of endangered and rare species, has planted trees in the area of 8.1km2, established 10 provincial forest villages and has made significant progress on management of small watersheds in Huangkan River and Longtan River.
The Geopark has made efforts to protect cultural heritage, such as designating protection areas around the key cultural landscapes, setting up warning signs and barriers, and forbidding visitors from touching stone-carved inscriptions.
The Valley Stream Cultural Park, Cultural Park of Peacocks Flying Southeast and Wanguang Garden have been built. Meanwhile, Xuejiagang Relics Park and Erqiao Park are under construction.
Tianzhushan Culture Academy has been established to research and exhibit traditional folk culture.
The Geopark has declared 2 National Intangible Culture Heritages, 5 Provincial Intangible Culture Heritages and 2 Municipal Intangible Culture Heritages. The inheritors of the Intangible Culture Heritage were decided. Furthermore, policies have been put forward to support the development of intangible cultural heritage.
