Writes Leo Odera Omolo.
The pre-historic monumental site Fort Jesus the 400 year old, which is located at the Kenya coastal town of Mombasa has been inscribed into World Heritage list by the Unesco.
Fort Jesus therefore becomes the sixth Kenyan to get into UNESCO list.
Also inscribed were three Kenyan hinterland lakes, Elementaita, Bogoria and Nakuru,which have now joined the coveted Unesco’s World Heritage List.
Refereed to as the Great Rift Valley Lakes System, the three lakes is an integral part of one of the largest bird migratory routes sustaining 75 per cent of the global population of the lesser Flamingoes.
It also supports one of the major breeding colonies of the greater white pelican and provides a vital wintering ground for over 100 species of migratory birds.
The three lakes have been recommended for inscription by the International Union for Conservation of Nature {IUCN}.
Kenya’s Minister for National Heritage William Ole Ntimama in his reaction after receiving the t news from Paris, France hailed the inscription terming as a milestone for the country’s tourism.
“We are happy that Unesco has noted the heritage value of the three Kenyan lakes, which are located I the north and central part of the Rift Valley Province,” said the Minister.
IUCN, the independent advisory body on nature to Unsco presented the finding of its comprehensive evaluation of the natural value of 13 monumental sites to the World Heritage Committee.
With new additions announced last Sunday at the meeting in Paris, France, number of the natural and mixed sites now stands at 210.
“It is wonderful to see these spectacular lake site I Kenya and their rich birds life, achieving recognition as natural site of the highest global importance,” remarked Mr Tim Badman, the director of IUCN’s World Heritage Programme during the Paris event.
“We especially welcome this inscriptions, as the first natural World Heritage listed in Africa since 2007.”
A total of 35 nominations, including natural, cultural and mixed properties are being reviewed by the committee, which is holding its 35th session at the Unesco headquarters in Paris, France.
On Monday this week, Fort Jesus, which is more than 400 years old, was also identified as of outstanding universal value.
Fort Jesus become the sixth Kenyan heritage site to get into the Unesco list, The facility’s national monument and the museum principal curator Mbarak Abdikadir said the recognition is a major win for the residents of Mombasa City and Kenya’s tourism industry.
“It means our effort in conservancy and maintenance have been recognized the World over. This is expected to bring in more local and foreign tourists who may wish to find out what makes this Fort unique,” he said.
Ends