Activities >> Sites

Mali: Bandiagara cliffs

Background

As a result of serious threats identified by the Mission Culturelle de Bandiagara, the World Heritage site has been inscribed on the 2004 World Monuments Watch List of 100 Most Endangered Sites. On of the major problem being coordination of activities undertaken by government as well as international agencies, but also Ngos and the private sector, it appeared necessary to approach the problem through the preparation of a management plan for the site and to launch an awareness campaign in order to ensure that the results of the exercise be properly spread over the numerous stakeholders.

Objectives

The aim of the project is to establish a participatory management planning approach and to complete a first conservation and management plan for the site. As a first step for its implementation, it is also foreseen to prepare material that can be used to ensure the visibility of the world Heritage status of the site and inform both decision makers and the communities living within the site of the advantages, constrainst and rules that goes along with the status.

Structure

The work is to be carried out in several steps. A core team has been established. It comprises representatives of the Mission Culturelle de Bandiagara and an expert of CRATerre-EAG. Besides that, a larger group of local stakeholders has been identified. Its participation in the process is ensured through the organization of plenary meetings, but also individual and group work. As the process is making progress, more stakeholders are included. As it appears that number of issues need to be tackled at the national level, an inter-ministerial meeting will be convened in 2005 to explore realistic possibilities to better ensure that the World Heritage Status of the site is taken into account in all decision making processes that affect the site.

Results in 2004

First overall assessment of the state of conservation of the site made. Local stakeholders identified. First stakeholders meeting organized. Survey of tourists satisfaction made. First report prepared and distributed. This site is the largest cultural landscape in Africa South of Sahara which poses numerous conservation problems, including lack of coordination between government agencies. This needs to be tackled and the Mission Culturelle and the DNPC have decided to work towards establishing better inter ministerial communication.

Members of Africa 2009 network involved

Lassana Cissé (RP, TS) Adama Dembele (RC) Tereba Togola (D,SC, TS, RP) Mamadou Cissé (TC).