“There is clearly a challenge related to the behavioral aspect of people, which is why there is control, inspection, and penalization to ensure that the various infrastructures comprising the Island of Mozambique remain within the classified group, because if altered, we risk losing the island’s classification as a World Heritage Site,” said the 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. It is dominated by stone and lime-based infrastructures and thatched houses, traditionally called “makute.”
According to the official, Mozambique already has an educational program regarding the applicable legislation within the island and education for tourism operators, so they are “sensitized not to alter the buildings.”
In addition to changes in the region’s architecture, authorities also point to degradation caused by natural phenomena, such as cyclones and coastal erosion, as major threats to the island.
Quoted by local media, the director of the Conservation Office of the Island of Mozambique (Gacin), estimated that around two million euros are needed to protect the island’s wall.
“These are substantial funds, as you can imagine. Just for the Fortress, it’s almost 500,000 euros. So, looking at the entire chain, let’s say, of the whole island, we would need about two million euros,” explained Cláudio Zonguene.
The official added that reconstruction activities are underway for some of the island’s symbolic infrastructures, with support from the UNESCO International Association: “We are now building 15 makute houses.”
