Mauritius is proposing Black River Gorges to UNESCO

Mauritius is proposing to UNESCO that the Black River Gorges should become a World Natural Heritage Site.

Minister of Arts and Culture Mukeshwar Choonee said that the inscription of Black River Gorges would add another historical site to the existing rich heritage of the country.

“We are currently working on a report on the Black River Gorges which we will submit to UNESCO by mid-2012,” Mr Choonee said.

He made the remarks at the launch of the First Day Cover of four commemorative stamps bearing our two World Heritage Sites, namely the Appravasi Ghat andLe Morne Mountain.

Mr Choonee added that the government has also asked UNESCO to consider other intangible cultural heritage, including the Sega Tambour of Rodrigues, the Mauritian Sega Typique and the Bhojpuri Folks and Traditions.

The Africa World Heritage Committee held in Senegal last week has decided to take the example of how Mauritius managed the Appravasi Ghat and restored the site in a “very meticulous manner” as a case study for the whole African continent for proper management of other world heritage sites on the continent.

“The Appravasi Ghat was in a very dilapidated situation but once again we proved to be the best and restored it to its actual condition.”

Mr Choonee said that while the two world heritage sites were initially the legal territory of Mauritius, they are now sites which belong to the world and Mauritians must be very proud of that. 

He added that the initiative of the Mauritius Post to issue four new stamps on these sites is a very good way to promote them. “The launch of these stamps at this moment is very symbolic because we are celebrating World Heritage Week.”

He added that the “buffer zone” in Port Louis would be transformed into a cultural city next to modern Port Louis. “We will renovate the buffer zone and the old military hospital built in 1740 found in the zone will also be revamped to accommodate a National Art Gallery,” said the minister.

It is very important, he added, for the Ministry of Tourism and Leisure to sell the Mauritius destination including our World Heritage Sites; the brochures which are used to sell the Mauritius destination abroad must also be reviewed.

The four new commemorative stamps were launched by the Minister of Communication and Information Technology, Mr Chedumbrum Pillay.

By Nitesh Boodhoo