The two evaluators of the European Geoparks Network (EGN) who traveled to the island to evaluate the candidacy presented by Lanzarote and the Chinijo Archipelago to join this organization have concluded that it meets "many elements" to aspire to be a member of this Network sponsored by UNESCO, which includes territories with an exceptional geological heritage and a sustainable territorial development strategy.
This was stated by the Cabildo in a statement, after the meeting held this Wednesday by Pedro San Ginés with the president of the EGN Organizing Committee, Nickolas Zouros, and Ibrahim Ikomoo. "We will not disappoint you," San Ginés told them at the meeting, should they report positively on the candidacy presented by the first Island Corporation.
"In my opinion, it is impossible for them to find a candidacy that fits as well as this one with the spirit, philosophy and objectives of the European Geoparks Network", to the point that "I would almost say that it is designed for Lanzarote and the Chinijo Archipelago. When they conclude their visit, they will have understood what I am telling them," commented San Ginés. On the other hand, he highlighted the unanimous support given by the Cabildo plenary to the candidacy, "taking into account that in Lanzarote there are very few issues in which there is political unity".
"Impressed" with a "very beautiful" island
The evaluators described Lanzarote as "very beautiful" and agreed to highlight the importance of this institutional support for the candidacy, according to the Cabildo. In addition, they said they were "impressed" by the "high level of conservation" of the island "despite receiving two million tourists a year", especially by the degree of conservation presented by the Timanfaya National Park. In this same sense, according to the Cabildo in a statement, "they stated that they had not seen in the world an auditorium like the one in Jameos del Agua or a restaurant in a location like the one that exists in this Art, Culture and Tourism Center of the Cabildo".
According to them, when evaluating the entry of a candidacy into the European Geoparks Network, "the important thing" is to assess "how geology affects biodiversity and culture, as well as the synergies between the different elements of the territory that constitute the identity of the place".
After the meeting with the president of the first Island Corporation, and after touring different areas of the island in recent days such as the Timanfaya National Park, El Golfo or Los Hervideros, the two evaluators visited, accompanied by Councilor Francisco Fabelo, the maintenance work that personnel from the Grevislan Special Employment Center carry out in the Natural Space of La Geria, framed in the 'Save La Geria' program.
The Councilor for Agriculture, Livestock and Economic Promotion also highlighted the interest of the evaluation team in learning firsthand about this social project that serves to recover abandoned spaces and provide them with environmental and tourist value.
