✅Unveiling of Newly Donated Minerals and Fossils to the Tabas UNESCO Global Geopark Museum
🔹Tabas, Iran — The Tabas UNESCO Global Geopark held an unveiling ceremony to present newly donated mineral and fossil specimens to the Geopark Museum. The event was attended by the Deputy Governor and Special Governor of Tabas County, the Central District Governor, representatives from the County’s Parliamentary Office, the CEO of the Tabas Parvadeh Coal Company, university professors, the Head of Payam Noor University, the Head of the Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Department of Tabas, as well as researchers and geology enthusiasts.
🔹Dr. Vesal Yahya Sheibani, Director of the Tabas UNESCO Global Geopark, welcomed the guests and delivered a presentation on the museum’s establishment and development. He explained that the Tabas UNESCO Global Geopark Museum, founded in 2016 as the first and only specialized geology museum in eastern Iran, was established and fully equipped within just 27 days — a remarkable achievement made possible through the dedication of local experts and the support of regional authorities.
🔹Highlighting the vital role of museums in advancing culture and science, Dr. Sheibani stated:
“Museums are not merely repositories of objects — they are living centers of education, research, and connection between people and their natural heritage. Each fossil and rock tell’s a story of Earth’s history, and it is our duty to share these stories in the language of science with the new generation.”
🔹Dr. Sheibani also emphasized the need to further develop the museum, noting that, given the growing public interest and the region’s outstanding scientific and natural potential, the museum should evolve into a large-scale Natural History Park-Museum that integrates the geological, mineral, historical, cultural, and tourism assets of Tabas.
Such an initiative, he said, could establish Tabas as one of Iran’s leading hubs for education, research, and sustainable geotourism.
🔹At the closing of the event, Dr. Sheibani officially announced the opening of the museum’s new public exhibition. He noted that the museum’s collection has now grown to more than 1,100 specimens, expressing hope that these valuable contributions will inspire future generations to better understand, learn from, and protect the Earth.
🔹Dr. Ashrafian, Special Governor of Tabas County, also addressed the audience, emphasizing the importance of museums in cultural and scientific development.
He highlighted the key role of the Geopark Museum in preserving the county’s cultural, historical, and natural heritage, and in attracting visitors to the region.
🔹Distinguished speakers at the event included Dr. Nazemi (Geologist and Faculty Member, Islamic Azad University), Dr. Ashrafian (Deputy Governor and Special Governor of Tabas County), Engineer Zamani (Geologist and CEO of Tabas Parvadeh Coal Company), Dr. Ghaderi (President of the Iranian Paleontological Society and Faculty Member, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad), and Dr. Amrikazemi (Member of the UNESCO Global Geoparks Council and Executive Board).
🔹At the end of the ceremony, donors of the specimens were formally recognized and honored for their valuable contributions.
🔹Since its establishment in 2016, the Tabas UNESCO Global Geopark Museum has become one of the most significant scientific and tourism centers in eastern Iran.
As a proud member of the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network, the museum plays an active role in promoting Iran’s geological and natural heritage at the international level.
