CubaPLUS Magazine

The workshop "Toward the Integrated Management of the Guamuhaya National Geopark" concludes today with a firm commitment from all stakeholders involved in its progress to secure registration in UNESCO’s global network.

Over the past two days, a multidisciplinary group gathered at the Topes de Collantes Tourism Complex, bringing together representatives from the three provinces that comprise the geopark: Villa Clara, Cienfuegos, and Sancti Spíritus.

Participants debated ideas and proposed actions based on scientific knowledge and practical experience in managing protected areas and zones of interest for nature tourism.

In his closing remarks at the event, Enrique Armando Castellanos, Director of Geology at Cuba’s Ministry of Energy and Mines, described the workshop as a success and addressed the challenge of managing a geopark spanning more than 2,000 square kilometers, with administrative jurisdictions across three provinces and five municipalities.

"This workshop is not the conclusion; it marks a starting point toward governance, the integrated management plan, and the successful implementation and development of the geopark," emphasized Castellanos, who also holds a Ph.D. in Sciences.

Castellanos announced that preliminary studies are already underway to propose the declaration of three additional national geoparks.

For his part, Jorge Lázaro Mulet Álvarez, Director of the Institute of Geology and Paleontology (Cuba's Geological Survey), highlighted how such an enclave unites professionals from diverse fields around heritage conservation, development, and ecological sustainability. He also stressed the need to broadly disseminate this work.

Provincial representatives from the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment expressed their agency's full support for the geopark’s management and recommended capitalizing on the capacities built for the integrated management of the area.

"Everything discussed here reflects reality and demonstrates that our country is vibrant and alive. The adversary is striking at us, but tourism will recover through activities like these, allowing visitors to experience these wonderful places—a strength that no one can take away from us," underscored Telmo Lorenzo, Nature Tourism specialist at Cuba’s Ministry of Tourism.

The words of theater director José Oriol, based with his Jovero Verde project in the municipality of Cumanayagua, underscored the relevance of designing this gathering as a workshop "where no one knows more than anyone else, and diverse forms of knowledge intersect."

"Everything we can contribute from the realm of culture—which is the voice of the stones, the mountains, and the trees—we are ready to offer alongside you, without ever compromising scientific rigor," he stated.

As part of the itinerary, participants hiked the Mi Retiro trail, which led them to Loma de San José, one of the geopark’s highest points, offering sweeping views of the Guamuhaya mountain range.

(Taken from Prensa Latina)