The Institute of Cultural Heritage of Cape Verde (IPC) won this Monday (18) the International Melina Mercouri Award from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
In a statement, the agency reports that the organization was chosen for the “extraordinary contribution” to protection, management and development of the Cova, Paul and Ribeira da Torre Natural Park.
“It is a priority to implement actions to improve the living conditions of communities, protect the cultural and natural ecosystem in a sustainable way,” said Hamilton Jair Fernandes, president of the Cape Verde Cultural Heritage Institute, upon receiving the award from the Director-General. from the agency, Audrey Azoulay.
According to him, the value of the prize – US $ 30 thousand – should be used to create a management plan, an interpretation center, support the formation of young tour guides and promote female entrepreneurship.
Cova, Paul and Ribeira da Torre Natural Park is in the east of Santo Antão island and is one of 10 Cape Verde’s natural parks. The region was classified as a protected area in 2004. The region is dominated by a volcanic crater called the Cova, forested areas, steep peaks, deep valleys and cliffs overlooking the sea. For UNESCO, the park “is an iconic example of Cape Verde’s mountain marshes and one of its most important agricultural ecosystems.”
+ The Melina Mercouri International Award was created by UNESCO in 1995 to support the protection of cultural landscapes from threats such as unplanned development, scarce population and climate change. It is granted every two years.