DAR ES SALAAM, March 12 (Xinhua) -- The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is a unique world heritage site that must be protected for the benefit of both Tanzania and the international community, Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan said on Thursday.

An aerial drone photo taken on April 26, 2025 shows the construction site of a museum at the Ngorongoro Lengai UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) Global Geopark in Arusha region, Tanzania. (File photo: Xinhua)

Hassan made the remarks at the State House in Chamwino, Dodoma, after receiving a report from a government commission tasked with assessing land use in the Ngorongoro area.

The conservation area is listed as a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization World Heritage Site, Hassan said, stressing that Tanzanians have a responsibility to safeguard it for present and future generations.

She highlighted the area's exceptional natural features, including the famous Ngorongoro Crater, which is about 600 meters deep and supports a rich ecosystem of wildlife and bird species.

Hassan also underscored the area's global importance for human history and scientific research. She cited key archaeological sites such as Olduvai Gorge and Laetoli, where researchers have discovered fossil remains and footprints of early human ancestors believed to date back about three million years.

In addition to its historical and ecological significance, the president said that the conservation area contains diverse natural environments, including savannas, woodlands and volcanic formations, some of which scientists believe may still be active.