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Nomination of natural, mixed and cultural properties to the world heritage list - Sacred Mijikenda Kaya Forests

Document type
Decision
Reference number
8B.21
Date
Jun 23, 2007
Source
UNEP, InforMEA
Status
Active
Subject
Wild species & ecosystems
Treaty
Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage (Nov 23, 1972)
Meeting
31e session du Comité
Website
whc.unesco.org
Abstract

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Having examined Documents WHC-07/31.COM/8B and WHC-07/31.COM/INF.8B.1,

2. Refers the nomination of the Sacred Mijikenda Kaya Forests, Kenya, to the World Heritage List back to the State Party to allow it to:

     a) Carry out documentation and surveys of the cultural and natural aspects of the kayas, and historical research from oral, written and archaeological sources, in order to reconsider and justify the inclusion of the selected sites in the nomination and to justify the application of the criteria.

     b) Designate all kayas as National Monuments.

     c) Further develop the draft management plan to integrate the conservation of cultural and natural resources and traditional and non-traditional conservation and management practices, and to support sustainable development initiatives which allow full participation of, and benefit to, local communities.

     d) In the short term, consider how further protective measures may be put in place to ensure no further erosion of the kayas in the face of threats from development, extraction and poaching.

     e) Consider ways to identify and protect the settings of the kayas from major developmental threats, particularly mining.

3. Recommends the State Party to consider, in the future, a renomination of this property to add criterion (vi) to represent the sacred spaces and traditional knowledge and practices of the Mijikenda people.