Radiy Khabirov: We will complete construction of stairs to Shikhan Toratau before year-end

In 2018, the second regional "Toratau" Geopark was created in Bashkortostan by decree of the Head of the Republic. Last year, it was included in the list of 16 candidate territories for inclusion in the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network. During this week, UNESCO experts from Ireland and Spain worked in the republic with an assessment mission. Today, on February 25, the Head of Bashkortostan Radiy Khabirov met with them and welcomed the guests to the hospitable Bashkir land. He said that our Yangan-Tau Geopark was the first in Russia and the CIS countries to be included in the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network.

"Your visit is significant for us because we want to continue cooperation with UNESCO. So that our second geopark, Toratau, is also included in the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network. You know that the Yangan-Tau Geopark in the Salavatsky District of Bashkortostan already has this status. I would like to invite you there during your next visit. I am sure that you will visit us repeatedly. Because I hope you liked our republic, nature, and people," Radiy Khabirov stressed.

According to the Head of the Republic, regardless of whether Toratau receives the status of a UNESCO geopark or not, in any case, work will continue to preserve the natural resources of this place.

 "So, we are designing a large permanent visitor center that will perform tourist, educational, and scientific functions. I hope that we will complete the construction of the stairs to the top of the Shikhan Toratau by the end of the year. The works must be carried out, taking into account all environmental standards not to harm the unique flora and fauna of this natural site. The main thing is to save our property for the republic's inhabitants - the famous Bashkir Shikhans: Toratau, Kushtau, and Yuraktau. I hope you will have an interesting and useful time in our republic. We would love to hear your ideas, as you are recognized experts in this field. Maybe you can tell us what we can improve. We want to succeed, to get the status of a UNESCO geopark for Toratau. I think that along the way, we will definitely become friends. Thank you for your visit, for your advice and willingness to cooperate," Radiy Khabirov said.

UNESCO expert from Ireland John Galloway thanked the Head of the Republic for the warm welcome, noting that they could feel the spirit of nature in Bashkortostan.

"The main mission of geoparks is to give a sense of life. The geopark must maintain itself for a long time to attract tourists so that people do not leave the territory where it is located. A geopark is not only about geology, but first of all about the people who live there," Mr. Galloway said.

UNESCO expert from Spain Jose Maria Barrera supported his colleague.

"It is gratifying to feel the support you are giving to geoparks. Today we had the opportunity to talk with the staff of the Toratau Geopark; this is a challenging job, thanks to their support, including our mission, it was very successful, and it was easy to work there. The system of geoparks in the world is growing, but of course, there is no ideal territory, but there are things that can be solved over time. We saw that the authorities of Bashkiria actively contributed to this process. Of course, there is serious competition for obtaining the status of a UNESCO Geopark, and we, in turn, wish you to win," the expert noted.

Author: Azat Gizzatullin