Initially, it was a
forest reserve, before being announced as a national park. Currently, the national park is encircled by the forest reserve. In April 1978, the area was designated a
UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Combined, the national park and forest reserve became a UNESCO
World Heritage Site in 1997. The
Government of Kenya had four reasons for creating a national park on and around Mount Kenya. These were the importance of
tourism for the local and national
economies, to preserve an area of great scenic beauty, to conserve the
biodiversity within the park, and to preserve the water-catchment for the surrounding area. ==Area==