Heritage Management in Zimbabwe: Development Projects and the Role of Local Institutions

This verdict holds considerable validity. In Zimbabwe, heritage management is significantly affected by development projects. Heritage management involves the identification, protection, and preservation of cultural and natural heritage sites deemed of national or international value. They can be tangible or intangible and often reflect a community or country's historical, cultural, or natural inheritance. Development projects, while critical for economic growth, can potentially lead to the degradation or even destruction of heritage sites if not properly managed. Here are a few examples to support this: 1. In the case of the Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe, coal mining projects have posed significant threats to the area’s wildlife, which is a natural inheritance of the nation. These projects, if carried out without proper environmental impact assessments and management plans, could lead to irreversible damage to the natural heritage of the area. 2. Another example is the Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe's most famous heritage site, which attracts a major portion of its tourist population. In the name of development, infrastructure projects constructed around it must consider the ecological balance; otherwise, it could negatively impact its appearance and thus its historical and tourist value. 3. In urban settings, like the city of Harare, rapid industrial development projects have sometimes been executed at the expense of architectural heritage. For instance, some colonial-era buildings, which are part of the city's historical heritage, might face demolition to pave the way for new infrastructures without proper heritage impact assessments. 4. The historical ruins of Great Zimbabwe have also faced pressures from development. While they are extensively preserved, surrounding agricultural development and urbanisation could threaten the integrity of the site if not properly managed. Effective heritage management, therefore, should involve a balance between preserving heritage sites' cultural, historical, and natural value, and accommodating the necessary development projects that promote economic growth. Planning, conducting environmental and heritage impact assessments, and including stakeholder participation are some ways to ensure that Zimbabwe’s heritage is not compromised by its development needs.