<B> Cabinet has given the green light to the Nomination Dossier to get the landing place of indentured labourers listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site. What does this decision mean for the Aapravasi Ghat Trust Fund? </B>

More than just an important step for us, it shows that government has taken note of the change in Unesco regulations. Mauritius wanted to submit two dossiers, Le Morne and Aapravasi Ghat. In fact, we were not aware of the regulations that only one site can be proposed in any one year. When Koïshiro Matsuura, the director of Unesco, visited Mauritius last year we learnt about the new rule.

<B> And the next step for the Fund is?</B>

We are now waiting for inspection visits. The Unesco team should be here by July. We have reached the third and last phase of the works on the Aapravasi Ghat, which aim at restoring the site to its original state as it was in the 1860s. We have reached the hardest part: pulling down the corrugated iron sheets from the roof and building a wooden one. This should end by July for the inspection visit. Devendra Singh Sood, Conservation Engineer from Archeological Survey of India, will be back next week to supervise the works. In addition, management issues need to be finalised. A preliminary plan has been prepared with the Nomination Dossier. The various stakeholders and our neighbours who own the buildings around the site have to approve it. All of us are looking for a flexible solution for the management of the site and its buffer zone. We must show Unesco that Mauritius can manage a site of world-class importance.

<B> How would international recognition impact on the site? </B>

For the moment, we are crossing fingers. Unesco has announced that only the first 45 applications will be considered. We hope that ours has made it on time to the organisation?s headquarters in Paris. To get listed as a World Heritage Site will bring recognition not only to the site but also to the whole system of indentured labour. It will attract attention from researchers and open the doors to Unesco technical assistance. We would also be entitled to funding of about US$ 30 000 for the planned museum. International recognition would also be a major selling point to tourists and prompt us to fit out the site with a visitor?s centre, guides and so on.

<B> What about your other projects? </B>

The upcoming one concerns the Vagrant Depot. We are preparing to celebrate the 141st anniversary of its opening on February 23rd. The Trust Fund is also considering the restoration of a quarantine station on Flat Island. Devendra Singh Soodh has been commissioned to produce a survey on the works needed on that site.