Minister of Tourism Vera Kamtukule has hailed the concerted efforts stakeholders put for the Mulanje Mountain to be declared a World Heritage Site (WHS) by the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco).
The Unesco World Heritage Committee meeting in Paris, France, yesterday approved the mountain as a WHS, 20 years after Malawi made her first submission. It becomes the third site in the country after Lake Malawi National Park and the Chongoni Rock Arts.
In an inter view yesterday, Kamtukule was excited, saying the declaration is a landmark, as the mountain meets the organisation’s core areas: Outstanding value to humanity—culturally, historically, scientifically or naturally.
“This is just what the majestic Mulanje Mountain represents. This was a collaboration among our key stakeholders, namely the Department of Culture, together with Mount Mulanje Conservation Trust, Ministry of Natural Resources, local communities and the local council, among others,” she said.
According to her, the declaration means the mountain becomes a global brand, which will be easier to market and that Unesco will take the lead using their platforms.
Director of Museums and Monuments in the Ministry of Local Government, Unity and Culture Lovemore Mazibuko, who attended the meeting in Paris was all smilesupon the announcement in a video clip we have seen.
“This inscription reaffirms our collective commitment to protect and sustainably manage the Mount Mulanje Cultural Landscape for the benefit of present and future generations,” he said via WhatsApp.
Coordinating Union Rehabilitation of the Environment (Cure) executive director Charles Mkoka said the declaration has put Mulanje on the global scene in as far as the protection of the Mulanje massif’s biodiversity is concerned. He said Malawi must consider the relevance of the decision, as it protects plant and animal species that are endemic on the mountain, including the Mulanje cedar, which has been heavily depleted in recent times.
“This means projects like the Mulanje-Blantyre water project and other mining exploits will have to consider the impacts on the mountain’s ecosystems and the cultural and historical landscapes of the mountain. The committee looks at so many issues; that is why there have been so many submissions and re-submissions in these two decades,” said Mazibuko.
