Local Lakes Get World Acclaim

Nairobi Star (Nairobi)

Kibiwott Koross

29 June 2011

Lakes Elementaita, Nakuru and Bogoria have now joined the coveted UNESCO’s World Heritage List. Refereed to as the Great Rift Valley’s Lakes System, the three lakes are an integral part of one the largest bird migratory routes in the world sustaining 75 per cent of the global population of flamingoes, supporting one of the major breeding colonies of the great white pelicans and providing 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). National Heritage minister William ole Ntimama has hailed the inscription terming it as a milestone to country’s tourism. “We are happy that UNESCO has noted the heritage value of the three lakes in the Rift Valley”, said the minister.

IUCN, the independent advisory body on nature to UNESCO, presented the findings of its comprehensive evaluations of the natural values of 13 nominated sites to the World Heritage Committee. With the new additions announced on Sunday at the meeting in Paris. The number of natural and mixed sites now stands at 210. “It is wonderful to see these spectacular lake sites in Kenya and their rich bird life, achieving recognition as natural sites of the highest global importance,” said Tim Badman, Director of IUCN’s World Heritage Programme during the event “We especially welcome this inscription as the first natural World Heritage Site 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 UNESCO Headquarters in Paris.

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