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The Český ráj (Bohemian Paradise) geopark may lose its UNESCO designation due to concerns over its alleged cooperation with institutions selling precious stones of questionable origin. Český ráj is the first and only UNESCO Global Geopark in the entire country.
Inspectors raised the alarm that some of the stones could be so-called "blood stones" mined under unethical or abusive conditions, particularly in parts of Africa. Such associations, they warned, are incompatible with UNESCO’s standards.
The potential loss of the UNESCO Global Geopark status would remove Bohemian Paradise from an international network of protected geological areas—and could result in a decline in tourism. In 2023, an estimated 1.5 million people visited the park, which lies around 90 minutes from the Czech capital.
In response, the park has severed ties with several institutions, including the Museum of the Bohemian Paradise in Turnov. The School of Applied Arts in Turnov also works with imported stones; the park’s management is investigating whether it will have to end cooperation with it as well.
The museum's director, Jan Prostředník, defended the institution, stating that “all of our stone suppliers are certified.” However, geopark director Jana Lebedová noted that certification does not necessarily guarantee that the stones were sourced under ethical conditions.
Due to criticism from inspectors, the geopark has been granted a UNESCO label certificate for only two years instead of the usual four. In 2026, the geopark's management will need to defend its status. UNESCO has not yet made a final decision on the geopark’s status.
As a result, Lebedová plans to place greater emphasis on education. She suggests that the geopark could, for instance, raise awareness among visitors about the harsh conditions faced by workers in African mines.
The Bohemian Paradise Geopark spans 833 square kilometers towards the northeast of the Czech Republic and sits at the intersection of three geologically distinct regions. The area features notable geological, paleontological, mineralogical, and archaeological sites, including the famed Prachovské Skály rock formations or Hrubá Skála, a rock town.
Recognized for its exceptional natural and geological heritage, the geopark was admitted to the European Geoparks Network in 2005 and became a UNESCO Global Geopark a decade ago.
