Home / Environment / Djerba's Cultural Treasures Threatened by Tourism and Climate Change
Djerba's Cultural Treasures Threatened by Tourism and Climate Change
23 Jul
Summary
- Djerba, a Mediterranean island off Tunisia, has a rich cultural and religious history but faces dangers from over-tourism and environmental change.
- Weak oversight has led to vandalism, illegal construction, and demolition of historic sites on the island.
- Climate change is causing sea-level rise, flooding, and erosion, leading to the submersion of archaeological ruins.
The island of Djerba, located off the southeast coast of Tunisia, is a cultural and religious crossroad that has been home to many civilizations over the centuries. However, Djerba's rich heritage is now under threat from a combination of over-tourism, environmental change, and human neglect.
In the 1990s and early 2000s, Djerba was at the height of its popularity as a tourist destination, attracting between 1 million and 1.5 million visitors annually. This influx of tourists has contributed to various problems, including water stress, waste generation, and the erosion of traditional ways of life. Since Tunisia's 2011 revolution, weak institutional oversight has also led to vandalism, illegal construction, and unauthorized demolitions on the island.
Climate change has further exacerbated Djerba's challenges. Rainfall patterns have changed, with models suggesting a 20% drop in annual precipitation by the end of the century. Rising sea levels and increasingly common storm surges are also affecting the island, leading to the submersion of historical monuments and archaeological sites.
In September 2023, UNESCO added Djerba to its list of world heritage sites, offering hope for the long-term preservation of the island's cultural heritage. However, significant portions of Djerba's heritage have already been lost, and future losses could be even more severe without meaningful preservation and climate adaptation efforts.
