Tanzania cherishes Ngorongoro-Lengai Geopark, Olduvai Gorge as its unique heritage assets

NGORONGORO: TANZANIAN Ambassador to France and Permanent Representative to UNESCO, Saidi Yakubu, has said the Ngorongoro-Lengai UNESCO Global Geopark and Olduvai Gorge are among the country’s unique heritage assets that give Tanzania a prominent position globally in human history, geological science, conservation and heritage tourism.

Ambassador Yakubu made the remarks during a visit to the Ngorongoro area, where he was accompanied by the Deputy Executive Secretary of the Tanzania National Commission for UNESCO, Dr Khamis Khalid Said, as well as officials from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation.

During the visit, Ambassador Yakubu met Ngorongoro Conservation Area Chief Conservator Commissioner Abdulrazak Badru, Deputy Conservator Joan Makwati, Geopark Museum Head Dr Agness Gidna and Olduvai Gorge Station Head Ikayo Sambeta.

He commended the leadership and experts of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority (NCAA) for their professionalism, expertise and continued efforts to conserve, research and promote the heritage, which he described as important to both Tanzania and the world.

Ambassador Yakubu stressed that UNESCO status should continue to serve as a catalyst for international cooperation in conservation, scientific research, training, technology transfer and knowledge exchange.

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He further emphasised the importance of ensuring that Tanzanian experts remain at the centre of these initiatives, particularly in efforts aimed at protecting and promoting the country’s heritage.

According to Ambassador Yakubu, Olduvai Gorge and the Ngorongoro-Lengai Geopark should remain key pillars of Tanzania’s international tourism and heritage profile.

He said the sites have the potential to attract visitors not only because of their landscapes and wildlife, but also because of their significance to human history, science, culture and the unique heritage found on Tanzanian soil.

The remarks highlight the growing importance of integrating conservation, scientific research and heritage tourism in promoting Tanzania’s globally recognised natural and cultural assets.