Abstract:
Management of heritage resources across the globe has been in-vogue for several reasons such as economic benefits, socio-cultural revival, conservation and other ecological benefits. Many countries of the world have keyed in the use of their heritage resources as a means of generating income and creating employment. Anaocha local government area in Anambra State cannot be left out. Anaocha is one of the local government areas in Anambra State that is endowed with cultural and natural heritage resources in Nigeria. Heritage resources in Anaocha Local Government Area comprise of cultural (tangible and intangible) and natural resources. These heritage resources are of immense value in their respective communities in both pre-colonial and colonial era and can generate a lot of money and create employment opportunities if harnessed. Unfortunately, some, if not all of these heritage resources are facing a lot of challenges ranging from degradation, exploitation, lack of private and government interest, unknown aesthetic and utilitarian value to host communities, heritage stakeholders and tourists to mention but a few. While some of these heritage resources are popular in some towns, others are not known beyond their immediate host communities, and quest for developmental projects have led to clearing of natural vegetation in Anaocha in general, while population explosion is equally a factor affecting these heritage resources. Some of the heritage resources (material and non-material) are Lakes, groves, shrines, cultural festivals, monuments etcetera. Given the above scenario, it becomes imperative that a study of heritage resources in Anaocha Local Government of the State is necessary to identify and document her heritage resources, study their present value to tourism development, examine the socio-cultural and economic impact of tourism on the people of Anambra state, among other. These heritage resources when fully developed will place them in their proper place in Anambra state tourism map and Nigeria at large. The study uses ethnographic research instruments to elicit useful data for the study. A Geographic Positioning System (GPS) was used to take the coordinates of identified heritage resources in the study area. This helped to map the resources; thus, creating a Geographic Information System (GIS) database for the study. Furthermore, photographic documentation was used to buttress our points. The relevance of this study in the face of rapid urbanization and development is that it will assist in keeping a written evidence of what might be cleared from the environment in nearest future and will instigate conservation activities, salvage ethnography and archaeological investigation; at the same time initiates actions for tourism development given the availability of tourism attractions (heritage resources) in the area.
