Little Cayman has narrowed its bid to be recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site to include only its marine environment, rather than the entire island.
The United Kingdom’s Department of Culture, Media and Sport this month submitted Little Cayman’s UNESCO World Heritage Preliminary Assessment document to the UN agency’s advisory bodies, giving them an introductory view of the island’s bid.
While it had been initially recommended that the whole island seek UNESCO World Heritage status, the assessment document that has been submitted focuses only on Little Cayman’s Marine Protected Areas.
The original recommendation to include the entire island had been met with opposition from local landowners , who argued UNESCO oversight may influence the development plan process and lead to new restrictions. They had pressed for the application to be restricted to the island’s marine parks.
Bid criteria The Department of Environment noted that Little Cayman is applying for recognition by UNESCO under the maximum number of application criteria for a natural site – aesthetics, unique geology, ecosystem connectivity and biodiversity.
“In order to have the best chance at meeting those four criteri...