Op-Ed By: KC Saranga

Most people enjoy travelling to spend their leisure time well, and many are drawn to explore diverse cultures, gain experience from nature, engage with various arts, and visit historical sites. There is currently a great interest in the tourism industry in Sri Lanka, which recently welcomed its two millionth tourist for the year.  

Sri Lanka’s Existing World Heritage

When tourists visit Sri Lanka, the country’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites are a major attraction. Sri Lanka is home to eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The Cultural World Heritage Sites include the Sacred City of Anuradhapura, Ancient City of Polonnaruwa, Ancient City of Sigiriya, Sacred City of Kandy, the Old Town of Galle and its fortifications, and the Rangiri Dambulla Cave Temple. The Sinharaja Forest Reserve and the Central Highlands of Sri Lanka are designated as Natural World Heritage Sites.  

Understanding UNESCO Global Geoparks

This article explores a lesser-known concept: UNESCO Global Geoparks. It highlights the significance of such a park and its potential contribution to the tourism sector. My personal introduction to the wonder of a Global Geopark was in China. As part of a Sri Lankan media team, I experienced the marvel of the Guangwushan-Nuoshuihe UNESCO Global Geopark, located in the Sichuan Province of China. This visit was organised by the Bazhong Municipal People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (Bazhong - CPAFFC).  

Our destination was the famous Guangwushan mountains in the Sichuan Province of southwestern China. Mid-November, the time of our visit, was the peak of autumn in China. The mountains were radiant with red and golden hues due to the foliage changed by the season—a truly magnificent spectacle. Large numbers of tourists visit year-round to admire this mountainous beauty. The Guangwushan mountains are an extraordinary region on Earth, designated as a UNESCO Global Geopark. UNESCO has named 229 such areas with distinctive geo-diversity as Geoparks.  

A UNESCO Global Geopark is a single, integrated geographical area with a geological heritage of international importance. Its purpose is to conserve this heritage, contribute to sustainable development, and increase public awareness of geology. Essentially, this area must feature ancient unique fossils, landforms, geological processes, minerals, and hydrological characteristics. A Geopark is not just a collection of beautiful geological sites, but an actively managed territory built around internationally valued geo-heritage, integrating conservation, education, and sustainable development.  

Geotourism and Sustainable Development

Geotourism becomes central to the sustainable development of these unique regions. Tourism projects based on the geopark’s heritage and beauty play a crucial role. The Guagwu Geopark serves as an excellent example of how a natural environment can be utilised for tourism, and this tour provided many ideas for enhancing Sri Lanka’s tourism industry.  

The main tourist draw is the Autumn Red Leaves Vistas. In October and November, the spectacular landscape, rich with red, orange, and yellow leaves across an area exceeding 800 square kilometres of the mountains, enchants visitors. It is a perfect spot for photographers. Tourists, armed with mobile phones and cameras, come in droves to capture the natural beauty and colour patterns. To accommodate them, a highly systematic transport system and excellent infrastructure are provided.  

Beyond the viewing points, special opportunities are created for tourist activities such as hiking along trails within the Geopark’s mountain ecosystems, exploring waterfalls and caves, and learning about rare flora and fauna. Furthermore, visitors can traverse the "Micang" trade and military route, which is over two thousand years old, and experience the culture, cuisine, and traditions of the local villages.  

The Role of Cable Cars

The cable car project is a primary tourist experience that attracts visitors to Guangwushan. This system allows tourists easy access to the high mountainous regions and difficult pathways of the Geopark. From the cable cars, the natural beauty of the mountain’s red leaves can be viewed from above without obstruction. It offers an easy way to see the stunning beauty of the forest below, often shrouded in mist or bathed in sunlight, while saving the long climbing time. This demonstrated the potential contribution of a similar cable car project to the growth of Sri Lanka’s tourism industry.  

Deep Geological Learning

A fundamental goal of the Geopark is to provide a Deep Geological Learning Experience about the Earth’s origin and evolution. This is achieved through the museum established within the Geopark. The museum is designed to provide detailed education on the region’s geological history, plate movements, fossil finds, the Earth’s dynamic processes, and the formation of Karst Landforms. The educational process within the museum includes exhibitions of geological specimens millions of years old, descriptive panels, video displays, and 3D graphics utilising modern technology.  

Lessons for Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka’s landmass contains areas with geological formations dating back millions of years. Horton Plains, Ussangoda, and Rumassala are a few such examples. By studying their geological importance and scenic beauty, these areas can be leveraged for tourism promotion.  

Historically, Sri Lanka gained international fame as Rathnadeepa (Gem Island). The country’s gems are a valuable resource that can be expertly used for Geo Tourism. The process of gem formation is a geologically significant area of study. Gems also possess high exhibition value. Gem museums can add educational value by offering tourists experiences like mine visits, gem cutting, and polishing. Crucially, through sustainable development, Geo Tourism can create additional income streams for the communities in gem-rich areas.  

The entire media team concluded that the country’s geo-diversity and beauty can be excellently and sustainably used for the growth of the tourism industry. All that is required is the right vision, effective management, and sound governance.