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The NGO World Heritage Watch (WHW) created a list of seven Brazilian wonders that could be awarded the title of “natural heritage of humanity” offered by Unesco.
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Lençóis Maranhenses (photo) are among the candidate wonders.
Check out the recommended destinations:
Lençóis Maranhenses (MA);
Serra da Capivara (PI)
Itatiaia Park (RJ)
Raso and Catarina (BA)
Peruaçu Caves (MG)
Banhados do Taim (RS)
Serra Divisor (AC)
Despite not having an official character, countries present on the WHW list have gained agility in the title process. Created 10 years ago in Germany, the NGO has been evaluating the conservation status of sites that are already World Heritage sites and prospecting new candidates.
A UNESCO adopts policy of granting one title per year to each countryand the decree of natural heritage of humanity is mixed with that of cultural heritage, some of which are also claimed by Brazil.
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The impressive archaeological sites of Serra da Capivara (PI) are also candidates
The expectation is that the seven nominated locations will win the title over the next 15 years.
Other areas are evaluated, such as the Abrolhos archipelago, in Bahia, and the Serra Geral canyons, in Rio Grande do Sul.
Brazilian destinations that are already World Heritage Sites
Pantanal (MT/MS);
Central Amazon (AM);
Discovery Coast (BA/ES);
Atlantic Islands Complex (Fernando de Noronha and Rocas Atol);
Iguaçu National Park (PR);
Vale do Ribeira (PR/SP);
Chapada dos Veadeiros Complex/Parque das Emas (GO).
UNESCO criteria for Natural Heritage of Humanity
UNESCO criteria are not limited to the quality of preservation.
— What matters most when making a decision is demonstrating that a candidate area is truly different and unique. She needs to stand out worldwide, whether from the point of view of biodiversity, landscape or geological elements — explains Angela Kuczach, executive director of the National Network for Conservation Units, an NGO that carried out the work to evaluate natural heritage in Brazil in partnership with WHW.
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The Pantanal (photo) is one of the Brazilian destinations that is already listed as a Natural Heritage Site by UNESCO
The criterion of originality was important this time, for example, for the inclusion of Raso da Catarina, since Brazil does not yet have any world heritage site in the Caatinga. The Raso is a basin with very sandy and deep soil, in Bahia, where surprising canyons appear.
Tourism is growing
The inclusion of natural areas on the list confers a priority status in the conservation of related sites, and usually gives tourist visibility to the listed sites.
— But with the benefit also comes an increase in responsibility — says Kuczach. — With the title of natural heritage, the state of preservation of the sites comes under greater attention from the international community, and governments feel somewhat obliged to take care of them.
Sources of this news
https://extra.globo.com/noticias/brasil/conheca-as-sete-maravilhas-brasileiras-candidatas-patrimonio-natural-da-humanidade-da-unesco-25640264.html
https://diariodonordeste.verdesmares.com.br/ultima-hora/pais/brasil-tem-sete-maravilhas-candidatas-a-patrimonio-natural-da-humanidade-veja-quais-sao-1.3321219
