Impact of climate change on monuments and heritage sites in Seychelles |28 April 2022

Flooding in Victoria. The clock tower and National Museum are at risk (Photo: Contributed)

Climate change is considered to be one the most serious challenges that humankind is facing. Reports from various scientific communities have been warning about its impact for some time now.

Parallel to the effect of climate change and its challenges, the International Committee of Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) has dedicated International Monument and Sites Dayon April 18, this year, to ‘Heritage and Climate, through open constructive and intergenerational dialogues’.  ICOMOS is encouraging dialogues and discussions on the occurrences of climate change between generations. 

The issue of climate change is an increasing risk and has direct negative impacts on monuments,cultural heritage sitesand buildings.

International literature on climate change's impacts on tangible cultural heritage has identified three hazards/impacts that climate change imposes on: cultural heritage exposed to the outside environment,  the interiors of historical buildings and their collections, and  thirdly, the impacts due to sudden changes in the natural physical environment (e.g., storm surges, floods, landslides and wildfire) in addition to sea level rise, permafrost thawing, desertification and changes in the properties of the oceans. 

Monuments and cultural heritage sites represent the legacy of the past and are usually static and are mostly unable to move as they are closely tied to the history of the place.  As climate change can damage their surroundings, the heritage elements become entirely vulnerable to temperatures, sea level rise and changes in the natural physical environment. 

Monuments and heritage sites of Seychelles have not been spared from the effects of climate change. The most susceptible are monuments and heritage sites exposed to the outside environment.  

The ‘LazarePicault’ monument, inaugurated in 1992, represents the anchorage of ‘LazarePicault’ and his team on Mahe Island.  The monument has sustained the 2004 tsunami. Although it was not damaged, it is a warning that might not be the case in the future. It is at constant serious risk from rising sea levels and is vulnerable to storms.  

Another historical element of the Seychelles cultural heritage that is threatened by different facets of climate change is the ‘Lookout Post’ at North East Point which is a 'legacy ofSeychelles' participation in World War II. The element is vulnerable to warmer temperatures, heavy rainfalls that can endanger its structures and the rising sea levels that can damage the soil underneath making it more vulnerable to soil erosion. 

Additionally, the Anse Lascar cemetery, supposedly the ancient tomb of Arab sailors who visited the island during the 15th century is also in danger. A potential archeological site where human bones were found and sent for investigation and the result was that the bones were dated back to 1800. More investigation would have been done, but unfortunately the graves have been ravaged by the waves. 

 The Venn’s Town Mission ruins at Sans Souci are evidence of our slavery history. How could it be susceptible to climate change?  More intense weather patterns, like torrential rains and storms causing the falling of trees could one day turn the Mission ruins into mere piles of rocks. 

Furthermore, monuments and historical buildings in Victoria are most susceptible to sudden changes in the natural physical environment.  Victoria holds the most significant historical buildings. Therefore,  we should always remember the 1862 landslide better known as ‘lavalas’, the worst natural disaster known in the history of Seychelles that struck Victoria. Considering the recent past floods in Victoria, there is no guarantee that such an event will not repeat itself.  

Besides, the impact of climate change on monuments, historical buildings and heritage sites as a result of sea level rise, storms and tidal surges, extreme sea-surface temperatures, and coastal flooding will have serious economic, cultural, historical and environmental consequences on livelihoods in Seychelles. Monuments, historical buildings and heritage sites have important economic, cultural, historical, social values and yet all efforts regarding climate change focus mostly on environmental issues. It is high time that we rethink our interaction, not only with people in the field of energy, environment and climate, but all sectors of society through open constructive and intergenerational dialogues as the theme for the International Monuments and Site Day asserted.  

B. Walter

Heritage Research & Dissemination Section,

Seychelles National Heritage Resource Council