Minister for Tourism and Heritage of the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar, Hon. Mudrik Ramadhan Soraga speaking at the 46th Session of the World Heritage Committee Meeting in India By Special Correspondent, New Delhi, India
The annual meeting responsible for managing all matters on World Heritage Properties and decides on sites to be inscribed on the World Heritage list was inaugurated by His Excellency the Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi attended by more than 2000 international and national delegates from more than 150 countries. .
During the meeting, State of Conservation reports of World Heritage Sites, proposals for nomination of new sites on the World Heritage list, International Assistance and Utilisation of World Heritage Funds will be discussed.
Currently, there are 1199 World Heritage Sites in 168 out of 195 State Parties of UNESCO. Tanzania has seven World Heritage Sites in the list namely, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Serengeti National Park, Mount Kilimanjaro National Park, Ruins of Kilwa Kisiwani and Songo Mnara, Kondoa Stone Art, Selous Game Reserve and the Stone Town of Zanzibar.
Delivering the country stance after the Decision for the Ngorongoro Conservation Area was passed by the Committee, Hon. Soraga thanked the State Party of India for the well organized 46 Session of World Heritage Committee meeting and the Committee for its high integrity and professionalism.
He informed the Committee meeting that, the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania wishes to put records clear and refutes the notion of claims of forced eviction of its citizens.
"The Government of the United Republic of Tanzania is concerned by the level of the ongoing misinformation campaign and unfounded allegations aimed at undermining the national efforts to balance heritage conservation, human rights, socio-economic development and livelihoods of citizens in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area" he told the meeting.
To put things into context, he explained, after the failed Multiple Land Use Model due to escalating human-wildlife conflicts, overpopulation of humans and livestock, wide-spreading zoonotic diseases, shrinking wildlife corridor and grazing land, lack of safe water sources and poor sanitation and the quest for socio-economic development of its citizens, consensus was reached through participatory and transparent process for a voluntary relocation program.
Hon. Soraga reiterated on the firm position of the government that there are no specific indigenous people in the United Republic of Tanzania. The Government recognises there are communities with specific needs such as the Hadzabe and ensures that their civil, political, socio-economic and cultural rights are promoted and respected.
"The Government of the United Republic of Tanzania, guided by rule of law and the fundamental principles of good governance, has placed human rights at the forefront while addressing challenges in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The Government invited the UNESCO Advisory Mission for the Ngorongoro Conservation Area in February 2024 and its report is under finalization. The State Party commits to work closely with the Center and other State parties in addressing challenges facing its citizens in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area" he noted.
Hon. Soraga told the meeting that, the
Government of the United Republic of Tanzania is committed to observing human rights while balancing
heritage conservation and socio-economic development and livelihoods of its
people in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.