The government of Seychelles has made adjustments to its National Monuments Act that will see more than 50 monuments and buildings preserved.

Cecile Kalebi, Principal Secretary of the Department of Culture said: “These amendments will ensure added protection for current monuments, ensure that new developments retain traditional architectural features and develop new projects for the preservation of monuments by looking at their commercial use.”

Kenwyn House will soon house a new art gallery. Credit: Joe Laurence, Seychelles News Agency.

Kalebi said the proposed amendments also made provision for people wishing to erect new monuments as well as for the guidelines for the commercial use of any nationally declared monuments. She added that the amendments had also taken into account sub-aquatic objects and Unesco’s convention on heritage.

She said as it could be costly to maintain monuments, cultural tourism could be used to offset this cost. “Buildings can be converted for commercial use, provided that the structure and surroundings are not defaced and permission is sought from the National Monuments Board for any changes.”

Chairman of the National Monuments Board, David Changty-Young, used the example of the old magistrate’s building which, recently renovated, will now house a museum. He said turning the old courthouse into a museum “will add more value to our culture and heritage”.