ПЛАНУВАННЯ РОЗВИТКУ ГЕОТУРИЗМУ І ГЕООСВІТИ У НАЦІОНАЛЬНИХ ПРИРОДНИХ ПАРКАХ “ПІВНІЧНЕ ПОДІЛЛЯ” І “ДНІСТРОВСЬКИЙ КАНЬЙОН”

Abstract

The article considers possibilities of the development of geotourism and geo-education in the two national parks – “Northern Podillya” and “Dniester Canyon”, which possess an outstanding geological and geomorphological heritage. Within the framework of the research entitled “Development of the project for organization of the territory of a natural park and protection, reproduction and recreational use of its natural complexes and objects,” 5- and 10- years’management plans have been elaborated for the development of each of these national parks. Within the strategic ten-year tasks and five-year development activities of each of the parks, the development of various forms of geotourism and geo-education and their organizational, informational and infrastructural support have been particularly emphasized. On the territory of the “Northern Podillia” National Park, an outstanding geoheritage is presented by a geomorphological phenomenon – the Northern Podilskyi Ledge of about 60 km of length with the difference in altitude of 80-150 meters, by numerous geological outcrops of Cretaceous and Neogene rocks, unique rock formations (Trynih, Vuhatyi Kamin, etc.), and by such dynamic modern forms of relief as a gully-ravine one. These attractive objects of inanimate nature have an educational and landscape value. In the future, it is proposed to introduce such forms of geotourism as scientific geological tours, educational excursions for learning groups, hiking, cycling and automobile tourist routes with an overview of geological and geomorphological phenomena. From the viewpoint of geo-educational significance, it is important to arrange a geological exhibition in the planned park visit-centre in the village of Pidkamin, to equip several geo-educational paths and to publish a guidebook and a geotourist map of the park. The priority measures for a five-year period, which concern organizational, informational and infrastructural provision for the development of 2geotourism and geoeducation in this National Park, are presented. The “Dniester Canyon” National Park is characterized by a wide range of objects of the geopolitical heritage, including those of international significance. Among them are unique, as to their research value, stratigraphic sections of the Silurian and Devonian deposits in Trubchyna, Zalishchyki, Ivane-Zolote, Ustechko, and Vistra, as well as other numerous outcrops of rocks; landscape canyon-like segments of the Dniester River valley and of its left tributaries – the Strypa, Dzhuryn, Seret, Tupa, and Nichlava rivers; rock and cave formations of travertine rocks near the villages of Sokilets, Kosmyryn, Ustechko, Dzvenyhorod, Ivano-Zolote and others; numerous gypsum caves, including those of national significance, such as Verteba, Kryshtaleva, Optymistychna, Ozerna, Yuvileyna; numerous springs and small waterfalls. Future geotourist activities should become a calling card of this National Park. Among the top-priority planned activities, the “Project of organization of the territory of the “Dniester Canyon” National Park” envisages the following: access to geological outcrops and rock formations, organization of bicycle and waterways with an overview of geological and geomorphological phenomena, scientific and educational programs which will include visiting the unique gypsum caves. To maintain an appropriate geotourist image of the territory, it is important to organize annual events – geological conferences, summer schools, and geofestivals. The creation of the “Dniester Canyon” National Geopark within a 10 year-period, which will perform the leading functions of geoheritage preservation and development of geotourism and geo-education, has been suggested and justified. Key words: geotourism, geo-education, geoheritage, national park, “Northern Podillia”, ‘Dniester Canyon”.