An alliance of promoters of world-renowned waterfalls was recently forged in Anshun, Guizhou province, aiming at safeguarding the sustainable development of waterfalls around the world. [Photo provided to China Daily]

The first members of the alliance, International Waterfalls Alliance for Sustainability, include Niagara falls between the US and Canada, Victoria falls in Zambia, Barron falls in Australia, and famous waterfalls in China such as Huangguoshu and Hukou falls.

The alliance will be headquartered in Anshun, the city where Huangguoshu is located.

"Waterfalls have their own strengths in terms of scale, height, water capacity, and surrounding geographical environment, but they share a lot in common," said Zhu Guiyun, member of the standing committee of the municipal Party committee of Anshun and the senior manager of Huangguoshu, during a forum on sustainable human settlements and tourism on July 10.

"They are the source of life and resources, and the center of a balanced ecological system."

The alliance aims to raise the awareness of authorities, the private sector and individual tourists to the importance and fragility of the waterfall ecosystem by offering a platform where the waterfalls management authorities can learn from each other to better protect and develop the waterfalls.

Ralph Wahnschafft, a former UN sustainable development officer, said that the alliance will benefit all of the falls' scenic areas, because good experiences will be shared.

The alliance is now seeking more members and partners around the world.

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