Aspiring Hoggar and Tidikelt geoparks in Algeria
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ARABGU2016
Aspiring Hoggar and Tidikelt geoparks in Algeria Chahnez Azil 1
&
Mohamed Abdessamad Rezzaz 1
&
Abderrahmane Bendaoud 2
Received: 27 May 2020 / Accepted: 11 September 2020 # Saudi Society for Geosciences 2020
Abstract Algeria does not count any classified geoparks despite its wealthy geological heritage, particularly in Tamanrasset province (southern Algeria). The economic activities in this province require promotion and diversification apart from the oil and gas industry. While tourism can be a crucial driver of its local development, tourist arrivals and infrastructures, especially in villages, indicate how underdeveloped this sector is. The present paper aims to evaluate, for the first time, both natural and cultural potential, targeting a possible geopark classification proposal in this province to boost its tourism and local development. The present study’s results highlighted a concentration of geological and non-geological features (archaeology, architecture, intangible cultural heritage, biodiversity) in two (2) regions of Tamanrasset (Hoggar and Tidikelt). Both areas host the largest number of villages, favoring local inhabitants’ involvement in local development and tourism activities. Keywords Geopark . Hoggar . Tidikelt . Tamanrasset . Geological and non-geological features . tourism
Introduction The advantages of natural and cultural heritage recognition, through its inscription in the Global Network of Geoparks, have been discussed in several studies (Ngwira 2015; Errami et al. 2009; Bailey and Hill 2010; Calnan et al. 2010; McKeever et al. 2010; Zouros 2010; Farsani et al. 2011; Errami et al. 2015; Errami 2016; Henriques and Brilha 2017; Zgłobicki et al. 2018). Geoparks promote territorial economic development by engaging local communities in geotourism and education while preserving and protecting geo-resources (see GGN.org). Thus, they introduce a new dimension to the World Heritage Convention of 1972 by emphasizing the significant opportunity in linking between socioeconomic and
This article is part of the Topical Collection on Current Advances in Geology of North Africa * Chahnez Azil [email protected] 1
Laboratory of Geomorphology and Geohazard, FSTGAT, USTHB, BP 32, El-Alia, Bab Ezzouar, 16111 Algiers, Algeria
2
Laboratoire de Géodynamique, Géologie de l’Ingénieur et Planétologie, FSTGAT, Université des Sciences et de la Technologie Houari Boumediene, BP 32, El-Alia, Bab Ezzouar, 16111 Algiers, Algeria
cultural development and the conservation of the natural environment (Zouros 2010). Also, geoparks may contain a World Heritage Site or a larger region (Bailey and Hill 2010), such as the UNESCO Troodos Geopark in Cyprus; the Bergstraße-Odenwald and Harz-Braunschweiger LandOstfalen Geoparks in Germany; the Cilento, Vallo Diano, and Alburni Geoparks, and the Sesia-Val Grande Geoparks in Italy; and Villuercas Ibores Jarain in Spain. Geoparks are protected areas with geological features generally identified as geosites; they can include or be natural parks, emphasizing th
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