Preserving Grenada’s Heritage

Above: Grenada

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Grenada’s National Monuments Committee is currently working to identify locations that can be declared as “National Heritage Landmarks” in Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique.

So far, the government says it has identified 20 such sites, which have to be surveyed and then gazetted by the “relevant authorities,” it said.

“We are working on getting one or two of the sites to be designated by the end of the year,” said Sen. Brenda Hood, chairman of the Committee and Parliamentary Secretary with responsibility for culture. “We have a list of twelve or more sites that we are hoping to get designated next year.”

The committee is also working to develop a logo for the sites, she said.

“Over the years, not much attention has been paid to these sites,” Hood said. “The time has come when we have to ensure that there is something there that tells the future generations of our history, after we would have moved on. If we don’t preserve and protect them, there will be nothing left to show.”

Designating the sites will do more than just preserve the sites, she said — it will also help generate revenue and increase tourist engagement.

“It may mean that some of the sites can be converted into income-generating activities,” she said. “The communities, in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, can come up with activities to attract tourists to the sites and hence generate revenue. That is how community tourism can come into effect.”