Mount Pelée and the peaks of northern Martinique have their label. These sites were in fact listed as UNESCO world heritage sites on Saturday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, during the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee, the UN organization announced.
Mount Pelée and the northern peaks – a mountain range of volcanic origin – cover 13,980 hectares of the surface area of the island located in the heart of the Caribbean archipelago, or 12% of Martinique’s territory.
“A strong signal in favor of preserving biodiversity”
With this registration, Martinique acquires its third Unesco label in two years, after that of biosphere reserve and that awarded for “good practices for safeguarding intangible heritage” concerning the round skiff, a traditional boat.
“This is a historic moment for Martinique, but beyond that, for the Caribbean and the whole world,” rejoiced the president of the executive council of Martinique, Serge Letchimy, who sees in this inscription on the heritage list world “a powerful and valuable conservation tool” and “the expression of an ecological identity”. This decision “is a recognition of the universal value of Martinique’s natural heritage, which is distinguished by its exceptional geology and biodiversity” and constitutes “a strong signal in favor of the preservation of biodiversity”, for its part welcomed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
According to the Martinique Natural Park, world heritage listing “could increase the number of visitors by 30 to 40%” on the island.
The eruption of Mount Pelée on May 8, 1902 caused the death of nearly 28,000 people. One hundred and twenty-one years after its explosion, the volcano, still active, remains under permanent surveillance.