（一）Robust Management and Protection System

The management body of Mt. Siguniang Geopark is the Mt. Siguniang National Nature Reserve Administration (Mt. Siguniang National Geopark Administration), which is state-owned with clear legal status and ownership. The Geopark’s boundaries are well-defined, and its conservation objectives are specific. The Geopark has a complete management structure and regulations, effectively ensuring the protection, management, and sustainable use of its resources. The management body adheres to the policy of “strict conservation, integrated management, sustaninable development, and sustainability,” employing legal, institutional, economic, and scientific methods to build a comprehensive protection system. Experts committee have formulated detailed plans, such as the “Mt. Siguniang Geopark Master Plan (2024-2035),” establishing a scientific planning system for classified and zoned protection of geological heritage. The Geopark has enacted regulations for geological heritage protection, patrol systems, and tourism behavior management, institutionalizing and standardizing its protection efforts. To effectively protect geological heritage and promote sustainable local economic development, the Mt. Siguniang National Nature Reserve Administration (Mt. Siguniang National Geopark Administration) and the People’s Government of Xiaojin County have actively secured various funds for geological heritage protection and poverty alleviation. As of 2022, they have accumulated 16 million yuan in funding for the protection of geological heritage and related infrastructure, effectively safeguarding key geological landscapes such as the “Xikang-type” folds in the Songpan-Garzê orogenic belt and the high mountain peaks of Mt. Siguniang. Collaborations with prestigious universities and research institutions, such as Peking University and China University of Geosciences, provide strong intellectual support for the Geopark’s protection efforts.

The Geopark has established four types of monitoring systems to better monitor various indicators within the Geopark, including visitors, resources, environment, and safety. These systems are staffed with professional personnel and equipped to detect and respond quickly to emergencies. The Geopark implements a fire prevention mechanism focused on prevention and rapid response, enhancing joint forest protection efforts with surrounding communities, achieving a forest coverage rate of 48.4% and a vegetation coverage rate of 79.1%.

The Geopark actively conducts scientific research on biological resources such as Paeonia decomposita, Hippophae rhamnoides, Ailuropoda melanoleuca, Ailurus fulgens and Rhinopithecus roxellana, promoting biodiversity recovery and protection. Surveys indicate the Geopark is home to 2,343 species of vascular plants and 343 species of wild animals.

The Geopark emphasizes the preservation and protection of intangible cultural heritage, publishing over 30 cultural journals, monographs, textbooks, and audiovisual materials, and regularly organizing intangible cultural heritage activities. Currently, there are two national intangible cultural heritage items: Tibetan weaving and embroidery techniques, and Sichuan-Tibetan folk songs; one provincial item, Ma’er Guozhuang Dance; 37 prefecture-level items; and 61 county-level items.

Under a comprehensive protection system and management regulations, the Geopark’s geological heritage, flora and fauna resources, and cultural resources have been scientifically protected and reasonably utilized.

（二）Significant Impact on Regional Sustainable Development

Infrastructure: Leveraging established brands within the Geopark, such as National 5A-level Tourist Attractions, National Scenic and Historic Interest Area, and National Nature Reserves, the area boasts mature infrastructure for accommodation, transportation, communication, tourism shopping, and sanitation. Some areas have relatively complete facilities, including museums, visitor centers, patrol facilities, and tourist pathways.

Community Development: The Geopark has always regarded surrounding communities as key stakeholders, actively encouraging residents to participate in Geopark management, respecting their rights, and promoting regional economic development while sharing development achievements with the community. On one hand, local residents are guided to open boutique inns, specialty agricultural product stores, and tourism goods shops to create wealth. Currently, there are 375 accommodation facilities within the Geopark. Residents are encouraged to participate in tourism companies and Geopark management through land transfers, property rentals, and employment, creating conditions for widespread participation in geotourism. On the other hand, the Geopark’s tourism brand drives regional development, generating direct economic benefits and increasing community income. According to the Xiaojin County Culture, Sports, and Tourism Bureau, the Geopark received 3.406 million visitors in 2023, generating revenue of 2.21 billion yuan. By 2025, it is estimated that the Geopark will receive over 5 million visitors, directly employing 6,000 people in tourism and indirectly providing jobs and income for 20,000 people. As the Geopark develops, more community residents will benefit.

In recent years, local residents have begun to experience the benefits brought by the development of the Geopark. As the sustainable development concept of the UNESCO Global Geoparks “Celebrating Earth Heritage, Sustaining Local Communities” continues to spread, community residents increasingly understand the significance and value of creating a Global Geopark brand. The desire to join the Global Geoparks Network(GGN) is strengthening, leading to broader participation in the construction and management of the Geopark.

（三）Significant Achievements in Science Popularization Capacity Building

In terms of geological heritage conservation and geoscience popularization, Mt. Siguniang Geopark has been designated as a “National Environmental Science Popularization Base,” “Sichuan Province Geoscience Research and Travel Base,” “National Eco-Environmental Science Popularization Base,” “National Land Resources Science Popularization Base,” and “Joint Ecological Observation Base.” Since its establishment, numerous universities and research institutions from both home and abroad have visited and studied at the Geopark, organizing over ten scientific expeditions. The Geopark has educated approximately 80,000 young people, indigenous residents, and managers, deeply embedding the concept of geological heritage protection. The Geopark has established a comprehensive database, an online monitoring system, and a museum cluster, showcasing geological heritage resources and values through visitor centers, science popularization corridors, and signage systems. Various science popularization routes focusing on geology, biology, and culture are offered to cater to visitors of different ages, knowledge levels, and visit durations. The Geopark has also set up main and subsidiary geological Geopark monuments to enhance visibility, actively engaging in geoscience education activities. Over 60 promotional leaflets and science education materials have been compiled to increase public awareness of geological heritage and the natural environment, fostering a deeper connection between people and the planet.

（四）Fruitful Achievements in International Exchange and Cooperation

The Geopark places great emphasis on international exchange and cooperation, with a dedicated department—the International Exchange and Cooperation Office—responsible for managing these activities. This department represents the Geopark in interactions, meetings, and projects with other Geoparks and relevant entities. In recent years, Mt. Siguniang Geopark has participated in various international online and offline meetings organized by UNESCO Global Geoparks. It has conducted on-site visits to Xingyi UNESCO Global Geopark, Xiangxi UNESCO Global Geopark, and Zhangye UNESCO Global Geopark, and established sister park relationships with Zigong UNESCO Global Geopark, significantly enhancing its visibility within the Global Geopark Network and accumulating valuable experience for better construction and development of the Geopark. The Geopark annually hosts events such as ice climbing festivals and international trail running races, which have raised the global profile of the Mt. Siguniang area, attracting tourists from both domestic and international regions and driving continuous regional development.