NHCC, WWF IN TALKS WITH BRE ON BAROTSE FLOOD PLAINS
(ZANIS) The National Heritage Conservation Commission (NHCC) says declaring the Barotse Cultural landscape as world heritage site would boost tourism in Western Province.
NHCC Regional Director Oliver Kandyata said making the plains a heritage site will attract international recognition for the country.
National Heritage Conservation Commission and Worldwide Fund (WWF) for Nature held a two days meeting with the traditional leadership from different chiefdoms in the province to get submissions from the Baroste Royal Establishment (BRE).
“Once the site is gazetted there will be a lot of benefits as it will also help preserve various cultural sites on the plains,” Mr Kandyata said.
“NHCC has been in the forefront in preserving the cultural sites hence the interest by WWF to partner with the organization for this cause,” He said.
NHCC Director stated that the declaration will also enhance the preservation of the culture that has been in existence.
“There will be enhanced tourism once the declaration is done for the Barotse plains, royal burial sites in the plans, historic canals will be preserved when it becomes the world heritage site,” He added.
And WWF Representative Machaya Chomba said the process is a consultative one involving various stake holders such as the traditional leaders and Government departments hence they have continued having such meetings.
Mr Chomba said the inscription of the world heritage site will improve the local livelihood through tourism.
“It will be a way of improving communities in managing their natural resources and also strengthening culture and the role of community in resource management. Nothing will be taken away from the local people but instead it will be of their benefit,” he added.
Meanwhile, Senanga District Administrative officer, Maureen Kabani said Government under President Edgar Lungu has prioritized tourism and included it in the Seventh National Development Plan (7NDP).
“Tourism is an important industry in the nation and when tapped accordingly can positively transform the lives of people,” She said.
Mrs Kabani said the BRE Heritage Select Committee headed by the Ngambela and WWF should continue working together.
And the traditional leaders from the Limulunga palace have urged all the traditional leaders in the province to be part of the process in ensuring that the Barotse plains are declared world heritage sites.
BRE Ngambela, Manyando Mukela said the success of having the Barotse plains as world heritage site will bring economic development to the country as it will contribute to the tourism sector.
“This program should not be looked at as only for the people of Western province, but every citizen in the country should embrace it as it will benefit everyone,” the Ngambela stated.
NHCC and WWF held a consultative meeting with various BRE representatives from the District as part of the declaration of the plains as world heritage site.