Laos Preparing Hin Nam No Application for World Heritage Status
(KPL) Laos is in the process of preparing application of the Hin Nam No National Protected Area in Khammuan for UNESCO World Heritage status.
Application process is expected to be completed in 2020, according to Deputy Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism Savankhone Razamountry.
The deputy minister told the 8th ASEM Cultural Ministerial Meeting held in Sofia, Republic of Bulgaria on Mar 1-2 that Hin Namno is being considered for nomination as a potential Natural World Heritage site because of its natural landscape, unique formations of limestone karst, and the area’s rich biodiversity of wildlife and plants.
The area possesses outstanding universal values and covers 82,000 ha. It is home to over 40 mammal species, over 200 bird species, 25 bat species, 46 species of amphibians and reptiles, over 100 fish species, and more than 520 plant species.
Many of these species are considered as endangered or vulnerable, not only in Laos but also globally.
Laos has two World Heritage Sites: the old town of Luang Prabang, the ancient royal city of the Lane Xang Kingdom between the 14th and 16th centuries, and Champassak’s Vat Phou Temple, a pre-Angkor period complex built in the 12th century.
Laos also has the Plain of Jars in Xieng Khuang and other places of historic and cultural interests such as Ho Phrakeo, Vat Sisaket, Vat Simeuang, Vat Ong Tue, That Luang temple in Vientiane, Sikhottabong Stupa in Khammuan, and That Ing Hang in Savannakhet, which all attract international visitors.
In addition, the music of the khaen, a Lao instrument, has been declared an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.
This recognition was announced at the 12th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage which took place on Jeju Island, Republic of Korea, in December last year.
Source: KPL News Laos. 5 March 2018
