Impacts et limites de la patrimonialisation à Ouvéa (Nouvelle-Calédonie)

Abstract

Uvea, "the nearest island to heaven", is inscribed in the World Heritage List of UNESCO since 2008. Although spared from the streams of tourists, the atoll undergoes the emigration of its population to Numea, the main urban center of New Caledonia, and its economy is strongly dependent on outside assistance. The public authorities are relying on the UNESCO label to enhance its development via tourism. In 2010, a team of IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature was to appraise the efforts made in managing the heritage. But the present situation already displays contrasted results, where the effects do not meet the expectations. Indeed, the patrimonialisation has limited impacts on tourism. A negative feedback is even observed while an integrated management of the resources remains inexistent. Opening this sanctuary presents a number of risks, and the following questions must be asked: should tourism develop in Uvea, how to maintain the equilibrium which the population has woven with the fragile environment of the island? Is it going to accelerate the loss of ancestral knowledge and traditions? What will be the impact of the patrimonialisation on the Kanak «coutume»and laws?.