‘Joint efforts needed to preserve Stone Town’s historic heritage’

ZANZIBAR: THE Zanzibar Stone Town Heritage Society (ZSTHS) has called for increased public awareness and stakeholder commitment to protecting the island’s World Heritage site.

The society further appealed for effective climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies, for that purpose. At a recent symposium held at the UWZ Hall, ZSTHS officials highlighted the growing risks to Stone Town, including sea level rise, coastal erosion, vibrations from motor vehicles affecting building foundations and extreme heat and humidity damaging historic structures.

Participants stressed the importance of ongoing public education to help visitors and locals understand the impacts of climate change and the urgent need to protect Stone Town’s historic buildings.

ZSTHS Vice-Chairman, Mr Salum Suleiman Salum, spoke about the various forms of damage already observed in many of Stone Town’s buildings. He stressed the importance of involving the local community in efforts to address these risks and maintain the buildings in their original state.

He pointed out that some of the threats come not only from natural factors, such as climate change, but also from increased human activities like heavy vehicle traffic, littering, unchecked construction and rapid tourism development.

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“We must act now. Ignoring the warnings and waiting until disasters strike will only make the situation worse,” Mr Salum urged. “Saline humidity is already damaging the materials of the old buildings, and immediate repairs are necessary to prevent further deterioration.

Stone Town is not only a symbol of our rich cultural heritage but also a major tourist attraction and its preservation is vital for the local economy and Zanzibar as a whole,” he added.

Mr Salum also warned that neglecting Stone Town’s preservation could diminish its charm, potentially driving away tourists and reducing the revenue that supports both the local community and the government. He expressed concern about recent development projects that involve cutting down trees in the area, noting that green spaces are an essential part of Stone Town’s beauty and appeal.

“Trees contribute to the town’s charm and their removal should be carefully evaluated in the context of development projects. Unchecked development can harm the very qualities that make Stone Town unique,” he said.

ZSTHS Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr Makame Juma Mtwana, called on the local community to actively participate in educational and public awareness programs aimed at protecting Stone Town. He explained that everyone, from children to the elderly, needs to understand their role in the preservation of the historic site.

To further these efforts, Mr Mtwana revealed that ZSTHS has initiated a special training programme for 28 young people to equip them with the technical skills and tools needed to repair and maintain Stone Town’s ancient buildings.

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“We are also organising educational sessions for students from various schools, including those located in the heritage town, to prepare them as future leaders and custodians of our cultural heritage,” he said.

He noted that these educational initiatives are being supported by community leaders (Shehas), ensuring that the message of preservation reaches all parts of society.

At the same event, Ms Zuwena Juma Hamad, Head of the Guidelines and Environmental Education Unit at the Office of the First Vice-President, also spoke about the impact of climate change on Stone Town. She noted that sea level rise is one of the most significant challenges facing the heritage site, not just in Stone Town but across the entire island of Zanzibar.

Ms Hamad explained that to combat these challenges, the government has begun constructing a sea wall at Forodhani, one of Stone Town’s most visited areas, to protect the coastline from further erosion. Ms Hamad emphasised that while infrastructural projects like the sea wall are important, they must be complemented by broader environmental strategies that involve both the government and the public.

“Sea level rise and other climate impacts cannot be addressed by infrastructure alone. It requires the concerted efforts of all stakeholders, including the public, to reduce human activities that contribute to environmental degradation,” she said.