Call to sign national treasures to
global conventions
BARBADOS is being urged to sign on to two
international conventions because of the benefits they can bring to the
island. The suggestion has come from University of the West Indies law
student Kynara Roett who believes that Bridgetown and Harrison's Cave can
benefit
significantly under the World Heritage Convention while the Graeme Hall
Swamp could be put on the map through the Ramsar Convention. Her
suggestion came as students from around the region presented submissions
to an environmental law class recently. Following is an edited
version of it was published on the Green Page of November 14, 2001.
"The
Convention for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage
requires states to conserve elements of world heritage which are
areas of outstanding universal interest from a natural or cultural
perspective. It establishes a fund for assisting in the conservation
of the
listed sites.
"The first site which was proposed for consideration is Bridgetown which is an expression of the synthesis of the mélange of our history and culture. This can be seen in groups of buildings such as those which have housed one of the oldest assemblies in the Commonwealth and monuments of historical significance. The architecture of Barclays Bank on Broad Street, the Central Bank St Mary's Cathedrals and the Royal Bank building on Broad Street also represent this mélange of culture.
"The second site which was proposed for
consideration as a site of natural heritage is Harrison's Cave. The
cave represents a uniqueness that is
unrivalled in the Caribbean and accompanied by few others in the western
hemisphere."
"The Convention on Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar Convention) is also of significance to Barbados. This convention requires the parties to conserve wetlands as habitats of distinctive eco-systems and to designate wetlands of international importance.
"The parties also recognise that in their seasonal migrations, waterfowl may transcend frontiers and so should be regarded as an international resource. The Graeme Hall Swamp was proposed as a wetland for such consideration."