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The United Kingdom’s Lake District has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The cultural agency UNESCO made the decision during a committee meeting in Krakow / ˈkrɑ kʊf /, Poland, citing the national park’s natural beauty, farmed landscape, and the inspiration it provides to artists and writers.
One of the 33 sites worldwide under deliberation, Lake District is the first national park in the United Kingdom to be granted the accolade. The park, which houses the country’s biggest natural lake, Windermere, and the highest mountain, Scafell Pike, draws over 18 million tourists every year.
Lord Clark of Windermere, head of the Lake District’s bid for becoming a heritage site, believes that the recognition will further boost the area’s tourism. Similarly, John Glen, minister for arts, heritage, and tourism, expressed his thrill for the Lake District’s new status by claiming that it would do wonders for the people who consider the park as their home.
However, some expressed their reservations about the park’s new status. Ice cream shop owner Jonathan Wilkinson said that the development might be a hindrance to business expansion, considering UNESCO’s firm policies on conservation. Environmentalist George Monbiot / ˈmɒnbioʊ / added that the development could have a negative impact on the wildlife and ecosystem.
During the committee session in Poland, UNESCO called for heightened conservation efforts for the new heritage site. To achieve this, the committee encouraged local authorities to participate in UNESCO’s workshop International Academy on Sustainable Development, which will run from October 8 to 13 this year. The workshop aims to educate people on sustaining local communities and preservation of heritage sites.