From geological heritage to green address against climate change

In the midst of a land of geological heritage dating back millions of years, Non Nuoc Cao Bang UNESCO Global Geopark is not only known for its pristine beauty with world-class geological values but is also highly appreciated by the UNESCO Global Geopark Network community for its persistent efforts in protecting natural resources and the environment, proactively combating climate change (CC) and adapting to unpredictable natural disasters. Entering the 2025 storm season, Non Nuoc Cao Bang Geopark is becoming a bright spot in implementing the global commitment for a sustainable green planet.

Keeping up with the global movement for a green environment

In early May 2025, at the Rally in response to World Environment Day and the Month of Action for the Environment organized by the Provincial People's Committee in Cao Bang City (old), the booth of the Non Nuoc Cao Bang Geopark Management Board became a vivid highlight of the propaganda against climate change with many diverse forms attracting a large number of people, tourists, students to experience. In particular, the space displaying typical traditional products such as Phja Thap incense, Dia Tren paper (Quang Uyen commune), along with specialized publications on experiential tourism, geological newsletters, maps of 4 Geopark routes... conveys a strong message about the connection between preserving natural and cultural values and developing a green and sustainable economy .

Over the past years, the Non Nuoc Cao Bang Geopark Management Board has synchronously implemented many programs and activities, actively responding to global campaigns against climate change in the activities of the UNESCO Global Geopark Network in the Non Nuoc Cao Bang Geopark heritage areas. Notable activities include Earth Day on April 22, Asia- Pacific Geopark Week (April 22-28), Clean Water and Environmental Sanitation Week, as well as specialized training courses and online seminars on activities to protect natural resources and the environment against climate change organized by the Geopark Network...

Leaders of the Cao Bang Non Nuoc Geopark Management Board and experts from the UNESCO Global Geopark Network inspected the plastic waste collection model at the Khuoi Ky stone village community tourism site, Dam Thuy commune.

At the events, the Management Board sent staff to participate, contribute papers, send news, articles and images reflecting environmental protection activities, conservation of geological, ecological and indigenous cultural heritage in Cao Bang to the UNESCO Global Geopark Network. The topics communicated throughout include: protecting water resources, reducing plastic waste, reusing traditional materials, promoting the role of the community in conservation and development of eco-tourism and education. In particular, the communication program "Say no to single-use plastic in the Geopark area" was piloted at destinations such as Ban Gioc waterfall, Nguom Ngao cave, Phuc Sen blacksmith village and schools in the Geopark area in Tra Linh, Quang Hoa, Trung Khanh. Activities such as "Creative recycling from discarded materials", general cleaning, garbage collection, tree planting... in schools, contributed to educating children to raise awareness of environmental protection from an early age.

To help people proactively respond to natural disasters and reduce risks, in May 2025, the Non Nuoc Cao Bang Geopark Management Board invited leading expert, Associate Professor, Dr. Tran Tan Van, member of the Advisory Board of the UNESCO Global Geopark Network in the Asia-Pacific region, former Director of the Vietnam Institute of Geosciences and Mineral Resources, to directly organize a special training program in 5 key communes: Ca Thanh, The Duc, Yen Lac, Tinh Tuc, Vu Nong - localities in Nguyen Binh district (old) that suffered serious damage due to landslides during the circulation of storm No. 3 (September 2024) on topography, geological appearance, common types of geological disasters; at the same time, instructing how to recognize early warning signs such as cracks on mountains of soil, rocks, streams changing direction abnormally, exposed tree roots, signs that people had ignored in the past. People are not only equipped with basic knowledge but also develop skills to recognize the risks of natural disasters in their own places of residence to respond appropriately when floods and landslides occur, gradually moving from a passive to a proactive position to protect their own lives and those of the community during the rainy and stormy season.

Community "pillar" of heritage conservation associated with green tourism development

Since 2024, the Geopark Management Board has built and effectively put into operation the Heritage Conservation Community Group in communes belonging to 4 Geopark experience tourism routes. This is the core force implementing the motto: Heritage conservation associated with green livelihood development in the community. Mr. Nong Van Lung, a member of the Dia Tren paper making community group, Quang Uyen commune, shared: With the training, guidance and support from the Geopark Management Board in connecting tourism, we understand more about the cultural value of handmade paper. People clean the village roads, limit the use of plastic bags, and proactively instruct tourists on environmentally friendly rules of conduct.

Dao Tien ethnic people at Hoai Khao Community Tourism Site, Thanh Cong Commune with waste containers in the village and sold to tourists.

Not stopping there, the Community Groups are also instructed to keep an environmental diary such as recording the amount of garbage collected, the number of visitors, unusual weather phenomena, erosion, and habitat degradation. This is important field data to help the Management Board build risk warning maps and make plans for conservation and adaptation to climate change.

The Management Board of the Geopark advises the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism and travel agencies to deploy eco-experiential-educational tourism routes at typical Geopark heritage sites: With the model of "students as tour guides" on the Tra Linh - Trung Khanh route to visit the Mountain Eye, Ban Gioc waterfall, Nguom Ngao cave; the tour "a day as an artisan" at the craft villages of Phja Thap incense making, Pac Rang knife forging, Dia Tren paper making... creating a spread, attracting the attention of many schools and international tourists.

International connection - spreading the model of building green and sustainable geoparks

To spread the model of building a green and sustainable Geopark, since the beginning of 2025, the Management Board of Non Nuoc Cao Bang Geopark has sent more than 20 news, articles, and video clips to the electronic newsletter and media channels of the UNESCO Global Geopark Network and the Asia-Pacific Region. These content products vividly reflect the practice of heritage conservation, tourist attractions, and environmental education at schools, communities, and businesses operating in the Geopark area.

At the online symposium “Global Geoparks Responding to Climate Change” organized by UNESCO in April 2025, the Director of the UNESCO Non Nuoc Cao Bang Global Geopark Management Board gave a presentation on “The role of ethnic minority communities in preserving indigenous knowledge and ecological resources at Non Nuoc Cao Bang Geopark”. The presentation received positive reviews from representatives of Geoparks from Asian, European and African countries.

From specific actions such as not using disposable plastic products, organizing waste collection, communicating about water resource protection, proactively preventing natural disasters..., to participating in international conferences, sharing experiences in managing geoparks..., all demonstrate a development orientation with depth, connecting people - heritage - nature.

Vice Chairman of Provincial People's Committee Trinh Truong Huy:   Cao Bang province continues to invest, support and create conditions for Non Nuoc Cao Bang Geopark to operate and develop the orientation of the UNESCO Global Geopark Network. Non Nuoc Cao Bang Geopark becomes a vibrant geo-ecological-cultural space, a place to spread awareness, form indigenous culture associated with sustainable green economy, preserve the pristine values of natural geological formations, and contribute to the implementation of sustainable development goals recommended by UNESCO.

Source: https://baocaobang.vn/tu-di-san-dia-chat-den-dia-chi-xanh-chong-bien-doi-khi-hau-3179413.html