Despite being located in a territory that belongs to three Algarve municipalities, the Algarvensis Geopark “must be seen as a space of the region” and “before being recognized by UNESCO, it must be felt by the communities”.
These are the words of António Pina, president of the Algarve Intermunicipal Community (AMAL) and André Gomes, president of the Algarve Tourism Region (RTA), who last Friday, September 13, signed cooperation protocols with the Algarvensis Geopark Association, committing to work towards the success of this aspirant that wants to soon be recognized by UNESCO.
“This is a project with many positive aspects, both in terms of preserving our heritage and from a tourism perspective, due to the wealth it brings in terms of the diversity of our offer. Fortunately, the Algarve has been more than just sun and sand for many years, but the Algarvensis Geopark is indeed bringing here a clearly diversified offer for the enjoyment of our region and territory”, began by stressing the president of the RTA.
In his opinion, it is therefore “very important that the region feels this project as a whole and that is why I think this act is very important to demonstrate that the region is with these three municipalities in this project”.
Representing all the municipalities in the Algarve, António Pina also signed this protocol.
«From the very beginning, when this project was presented to us by the municipalities of Albufeira, Loulé and Silves, the other 13 said yes, as we are all aware that the Algarve territory is richer for being able to show the world, this community of geoparks in the world, that the Algarve also has such a special place, which we all have to value, care for, cherish, and which is also a reason for economic development», stated the president of AMAL.
Located in a territorial area with well-defined boundaries, the Algarvensis Geopark crosses the municipalities of Albufeira, Loulé and Silves, with geological interests from the mountains to the coast.
Through records recorded in sediments, rocks, fossils, strata, folds, faults and reliefs, it is thus possible to discover this geodiversity that spans 350 million years of Earth's history and more than 20 thousand years of human occupation.
In addition to all these features already mentioned, Vitor Aleixo, vice-president of the Algarvensis Geopark Association and its spokesperson, recalled the importance that sustainability has for the project.
“It is very important that each person involved in this team, economic, social and cultural agents, people from all areas, are aware that this is a statute of safeguard and protection of the planet. The planet has limits, physical limits that we have dared to exceed in many cases and we need to be aware of being capable and able to reverse them in all aspects where this is possible. Therefore, this is what is asked of all of us and I believe that we are and will be up to this responsibility”, reiterated the mayor of Loulé.
At this ceremony, which took place on 13 September, cooperation protocols were also signed with the four Portuguese UNESCO Global Geoparks (Arouca, Estrela, Naturtejo and Terras de Cavaleiros).
Representatives from several regional partner entities in the Algarve were also present, such as the Portuguese Environment Agency (ARH/APA), the Algarve Regional Coordination and Development Commission (CCDR Algarve), the Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests (ICNF – Algarve), and the University of Algarve (CinTurs – UAlg), which has also been following the project since the beginning.
Furthermore, the Geopark has the support of several partners, such as the IN-LOCO Association, the Armação de Pêra Fishermen's Association, the “Unidos da Penina” Recreational Association, the Loulé Criativo project, and its seven workshops – Boilermaker, Casa da Empreita, Pottery, Watchmaker, Textiles, Casa do Esparto and Luthier – the Cerro do Ouro Recreational Centre – Albufeira, the Cooperative for the Sustainable Development of Low Density Territories – Algarve (QRER), the Loulé Municipal Museum and the various museum centres distributed throughout the territory, the “Flor da Praça” Restaurant (Loulé), the “Veneza” Restaurant (Paderne), and artisans, artists, seamstresses and fishermen, among other local communities.
On the 13th and 14th, 32 entities guaranteed their support to the Algarvensis Geopark Association.
Photos: Mariana Sedge | Sul Informação
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