UNESCO adds new heritage listings in Sri Lanka, Hawaii, Tanzania

Aug 1, 2010, 2:08 GMT

Brasilia/Washington - The cultural arm of the United Nations on Saturday established new World Heritage sites in Sri Lanka and Hawaii, while adding an existing natural heritage site in Tanzania to the world's list of cultural treasures.

Meeting in Brasilia, the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) voted to make Sri Lanka's central highlands a natural heritage site. The high-altitude region is considered a super biodiversity hotspot.

The Papahanaumokuakea island chain of tiny islands and atolls, stretching nearly 2,000 kilometres north-west of the main Hawaiian Islands of the United States, was declared both a natural and cultural heritage site. The Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument is one of the world's largest marine protected areas, while the region is considered to be the origin of life in native Hawaiian beliefs.

Tanzania's Ngorongoro Conservation Area, which has been on the list of natural treasures since 1979, was added to the cultural heritage list, too. Including the world-famous Serengeti National Park and Olduvai Gorge, scene of some of the most important finds in pre-human anthropology, Ngorongoro holds an 'extraordinary record of human evolution,' UNESCO's World Heritage Committee said.

UNESCO has now registered 892 World Heritage properties. During its 10-day meeting, which concludes Tuesday, the World Heritage Committee is considering 39 sites for World Heritage listings.