Tanzania, a country with the biggest number of National Parks in the world, is also about to become the first African state south of the Sahara to establish a maiden geopark.

The first ever 'geopark' in both the country and the Sub-Saharan African Region, whose initial establish-ment process has started, is going to be mapped across four districts in Arusha Region within the Northern Tourism Circuit. It will cover scenic sections of Karatu, Monduli, Longido and Ngorongoro Districts.

The hot and puffing, active volcano and Tanzania's third highest peak, Oldoinyo L'engai Mountain will be one of the highlights for the geopark.

Photo Credit: oldoinyolengai.pbworks.com

The first ever sub-Saharan geopark project, initiated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) is being coordinated by the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority (NCAA), involving district officials and community leaders.

The European Union (EU) is funding the maiden geopark and according to Engineer Joshua Mwankunda, the Acting Manager for the NCAA Cultural Heritage Department, EU has already floated 1.8 million Euros, (equivalent to 4.3 billion/-) as initial funding towards the proposed geopark. Geoparks are supposed to be a unified geographical area which addresses the protection and use of geological heritage in a sustainable way, while also promoting social and economic well-being of the people residing within the earmarked location for the park.

Credit: allAfrica.com