Island of Mozambique: World Heritage Status at Risk

The Mozambican government admitted on Monday that it is concerned about changes to the architecture of the Island of Mozambique, in the northern province of Nampula, as they could jeopardize the World Heritage title awarded in 1991 by UNESCO.

"Clearly, there is a challenge that has to do with people's more behavioral side, hence the need for control, supervision, and penalties, so that the various infrastructures that make up the Island of Mozambique can remain within the classified set, because if they are altered, we run the risk of the island being removed from the World Heritage classification," said Secretary of State for Arts and Culture Matilde Mahocha.

The Island of Mozambique, the country's first capital, was declared a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 1991, dominated by stone and lime-based infrastructure and thatched-roof houses, traditionally called "makute".

According to the official, Mozambique already has an education program around the legislation applicable within the island and education for tourism operators, so that they can be "raised awareness of not altering buildings."

In addition to the changing architecture of the region, authorities also point to degradation caused by natural phenomena, such as cyclones and coastal erosion, as the main threats to the island.

Quoted by local media, the director of the Mozambique Island Conservation Office (Gacin) estimated that around two million euros are needed to protect the insula wall.

"These are substantial funds, as you can imagine. In Fortaleza alone, it's almost 500,000 euros. So, looking at the entire chain, say, the entire island, we would need, for example, around two million euros," explained Cláudio Zonguene.

The official added that reconstruction work is underway on some of the island's symbolic infrastructure, with the support of the UNESCO International Association: "We are currently building 15 makute houses."