The Blue and John Crow mountains were officially launched as a World Heritage Site in Moore Town, Portland yesterday (October 30, 2015).

Moore Town is home to the Windward Maroons from which National Heroine, Nanny hailed.

Culture Minister, Lisa Hanna unveiled a plaque at Moore Town signifying the official launch of the Blue and John Crow Mountains as a World Heritage Site.

Culture Minister, Lisa Hanna

In her speech, Ms Hanna paid tribute to Jamaica’s ancestors who fought for freedom.

She highlighted the significance of Jamaica’s culture from ancestral history.

The Culture Minister stated that it was a team including the maroons, who lobbied for the Blue and John Crow Mountains to be designated as a World Heritage Site.

She said this will open up opportunities for heritage tourism.

In the meantime, Colonel Wallace Sterling of the Moore Town Maroons thanked all participated in the lobbying process.