The Saimaa ringed seal archipelago is to be proposed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Unesco will give its first preliminary assessment of the natural values of the area at the end of the year.
The Saimaa ringed seal archipelago is under preliminary evaluation for the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The Saimaa Islands were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in January 2021. The nomination process itself involves two pre-screening phases.
In the first phase, which has now begun, the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) will carry out a preliminary assessment of the norfolk island and its World Heritage properties. The results of the preliminary assessment are expected in January.
The purpose of the Love Saimaa group is to nurture the cleanliness of Saimaa’s waterways and highlight the region’s unique significance as a lake region and its development opportunities.
– The decision of the preliminary evaluation board is the first step in a long process, which is estimated to last one to three years.
If the pre-assessment process goes well, it is possible to submit the actual application to the UNESCO World Heritage Center at the beginning of 2024. Then an evaluation cycle lasting more than a year would begin. The World Heritage Committee could therefore make a decision on the application in the summer of 2025.
Gaining status would develop tourism in a sustainable direction
The granted status of a world heritage natural site would be of great importance to the tourism and economy of the region.
The UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the world’s best-known international brands.
– World heritage sites are really valued and well-known around the world. Many tourists come to see all the destinations, and it would certainly happen to Saimaa as well, says Holopainen.
Getting the Unesco brand for the regions would make it easier for tourism companies in the region to build their business models in the long term.
– The Unesco brand would bring visibility to tourism entrepreneurs, for example. Entrepreneurs would be able to take into account this status and the emphasis on nature values \u200b\u200bthat it brings as part of their business.
The purpose of the UNESCO World Heritage Convention is to secure the preservation of the earth’s most valuable natural and cultural heritage.
One of the criteria examined by the UNESCO board in its preliminary evaluation is how the destination can take into account the preservation of nature values.
– I see that the status granted to Norppasaaristo would develop our tourism industry in a more sustainable direction. It would also protect Saimaa from the mining industry. Mining cannot be carried out in protected nature sites, says Holopainen.
_What thoughts did the story evoke? You can comment on 14.9. until 11 p.m. with the Yle ID._