Government moves to strengthen protection of national heritage

Government is moving towards establishing a National Heritage Authority with enhanced capacity to regulate, coordinate action and intervene before damage to the country’s heritage becomes irreversible, stated the Minister of Arts and Culture, Mr Mahendra Gondeea.

He was speaking this morning at the opening of an interministerial workshop on the draft National Heritage Authority Bill held at United Docks Business Park in Port Louis. The Conseiller de Coopération et d’Action Culturelle of the French Embassy in Mauritius, Mr Quentin Biehler, and other personalities were also present at the opening ceremony.

Mr Gondeea highlighted that the existing national heritage legal framework dates back to 2003 and needs to be strengthened in response to emerging pressures such as climate change, deterioration and vandalism. The proposed Authority, he indicated, will also provide guidance and support to owners and communities seeking to preserve heritage.

Emphasising Government’s consultative approach, the Minister invited stakeholders to share their ideas, concerns and proposals before the Bill is taken to the National Assembly. He observed that their experience will contribute to shape a legislation that responds to Mauritian realities.

Acknowledging that heritage projects require significant financial resources, specialist expertise, appropriate materials and sustained maintenance, Minister Gondeea affirmed his determination to advance such projects through international cooperation, private-sector engagement and investment in heritage. He thus stressed the need to establish clear priorities and ensure the responsible use of resources.

For his part, Mr Biehler reaffirmed France’s support for the Mauritius-led reform process. He indicated that the cooperation seeks to draw on international good practices while developing solutions adapted to the Mauritian context.

Mr Biehler further emphasised that heritage preservation requires the involvement of a broad range of actors and competencies. The future National Heritage Authority, he added, will have to address cross-cutting considerations relating to land-use planning, environment, public finance, tourism, education, local authorities and communities, among others.

The workshop, facilitated by an Expert in Comparative Heritage Law, Mr Vincent Négri, forms part of Mauritius-France cooperation on the preservation and valorisation of Mauritian architectural heritage.

10 September 2026

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