※ Bilutu Megadunes and Lakes in the Badain Jaran Desert

On the morning of October 26, in Spain the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS) published a list detailing the first 100 geological heritage sites.  Bilutu Megadunes and Lakes in the Badain Jaran Desert of Alxa Desert UNESCO Global Geopark were successfully selected.  On the same day, the press conference of China's seven selected geological heritage sites was held in Changxing County, Huzhou City, Zhejiang Province.  Alxa Desert UNESCO Global Geopark attended the meeting via video link.  On behalf of the geopark, Professor TIAN Mingzhong from China University of Geosciences, Beijing (CUGB) gave a brief introduction of Bilutu Megadunes and Lakes in the Badain Jaran Desert.  Newspapers, TV station, radio station and other news media of Alxa League reported the event simultaneously.

※Attending the meeting via video link

The first 100 geological heritage sites are iconic ones selected by IUGS on a global scale.  These geological heritage sites are important ones that have made substantial contributions to the development of world geological science.  They are of great significance to the Earth and its long history of evolution and development.  The aim of IUGS’s publishing the list is to attract the international community's attention to important geological heritage sites, to facilitate international cooperation and the utilization of geoscience achievements, and to enhance the visibility and international influence of important geological heritage through the international certification of the world's most important geological heritage sites.

※ The Certificate

Bilutu Megadunes and Lakes in the Badain Jaran Desert’s standing out from 181 candidate sites from all over the world is another major achievement of Alxa Desert UNESCO Global Geopark in effectively carrying out geological heritage protection and scientific researches.  It fully demonstrates the uniqueness, importance and international scientific research value of the geological heritage resources in the geopark, and proves that they have been acknowledged by the international community.

Over the years, Alxa Desert UNESCO Global Geopark has insisted on effective protection of geoheritages in the geopark, promoted biodiversity through the preservation of geodiversity, and actively played an important role in the high-quality development of forestry and grassland undertakings.  At the same time, it takes the initiative to give full play to its own advantages to promote geoscience tourism, and actively participates in international exchanges and promotion work to extensively increase the popularity and attractiveness of Alxa Desert, which not only preserves the landscape, but also promotes local economic development.  This is the geopark’s vivid practice of the view that clear waters and green mountains are invaluable assets.