Phase 1, INVENTORY TASKS
This phase describes, quantifies and maps the key elements of the WHS. These include the geological, biophysical, historical, cultural, socio-economic and political drivers within the BMML WHS Project environment. These inventories will also assess the vulnerabilities, threats and opportunities within each element in order to determine optimum land and resource use programmes. These will in Phase 2 be articulated in management plans that facilitate sustainability in environmental and social development of the BMML WHS Project’s natural assets. Critical to the successful community-wide buy-in to the project is an effective communication programme that both informs stakeholders and listens to their views and concerns. All spatial data will be GIS-based to facilitate planning, integration and dissemination.
Phase 2, SPATIAL PLANNING
This phase collates, analyses and maps the spatial distribution of the attributes identified in Phase 1 into a number of sub-plans. The framework for the integration of these sub-plans is referred to as the Zoning Plan based in part on landscape characteristics and in part on tourism development and land management principles. These second phase elements are combined into the Integrated Conservation Management and Development Plan (ICMDP) which guides and organizes all protection and utilization activities within the site. In effect, this is the Protected Area Management Plan. It is developed through consultation with all landowners and other interested parties. The Plan summarizes the background, history and perceptions of the landscape from the perspective of diverse interest groups and interprets them as landscape values to be protected and made accessible to the public. Critical aspects such as land tenure and administrative and governance issues will also be dealt with.
Phase 3, INTEGRATION AND FINALISATION OF WHC NOMINATION DOSSIER
This final phase integrates all ideas and information obtained from the assessments, maps and social processes and incorporates them into the draft WHC Nomination Dossier. This follows the required format of the UNESCO Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention. Additional matters integrated here include the interpretative and educational aspects of managing the site both for staff and visitors (commercial and educational) and an assessment of the training needs of workers on the site, reflecting the capacity building requirements of both the public and private sector operations in the functioning World Heritage Site. All these and the necessary comparative analysis of the site’s Outstanding Universal Values are incorporated into the final Nomination Dossier and its Annexes.
BROAD OVERVIEW OF WHS PLANNING PHASES AND TASKS (VIEW)
All plans produced for the BMML World Heritage Site must be:
- Sustainable, economically and ecologically
- Compiled via inclusive, open and participatory procedures
- Culturally and historically sensitive
- Focus on publicizing the geological significance of the site and securing its associated protection and access to the visiting public
- Focused on maintaining the delicate biophysical environment for future benefit and knowledge
- Comply with tough UNESCO criteria and management guidelines for appointment as a World Heritage Site – ‘the best of the best in the world’
- Benefit from studying lessons learned from other World Heritage Site nomination and management experiences.
- Take care not to raise expectations to unrealistic levels.
