1. Risks Related to Natural Processes
   
   Termites probably present the most vicious threat to timber elements of heritage buildings by infestation. Whole villages are know to have been deserted because of the pests. This however, is a sad reality as historic buildings in urban and suburban centers are sometimes abandoned and eventually deteriorate after heavy termite attack. In today's society, traditional methods of preservation of timber against termite attack have often been ignored in preference for modern chemical methods.
   
   Unfortunately, these chemicals call for spot treatment of infested elements; sadly it is often impossible to reach all infested parts, especially those that are concealed. But all hope is not lost yet as traditional methods of conservation are practiced in some parts of rural Zambia and some heritage buildings have benefited from this knowledge.
   
   
2. Development Related Risks
   
   The lack of appreciation of the cultural value of these sites has resulted in some of them being allocated to 'foreign investors' who often decide to build a modern infrastructure on these pieces of land. Suggestions to move such development to alternative sites sometimes seem to fall on deaf ears. One such example is the Mukuni Park. A legal battle, was waged by NHCC, ICOMOS Zambia, the Livingstone Residents Association and other traditionalists. Unfortunately it the battle went to the favour of the developer. The court injunction that was granted to restrain the developer from going ahead was recently overturned by the High Court.
   
   Mukuni Park was built in 1905. It was the most historic garden in Zambia. It was at Mukuni Park, known then as Barotse Centre, that the Paramount Chief Lewanika of the Lozi people of western Zambia mounted an exhibition of art and crafts of Batotse in 1910, for his meeting in Livingstone with the Duke and Duchess of Connaught. This was a great cultural affair for Livingstone and led to the inception of the Livingstone cultural festival.
   
   
3. Risk due to Neglect
   
   A number of heritage buildings have deteriorated to alarming levels in most historic towns and villages, particularly those that belong to the government and mission stations. Much as it can be appreciated that financial resources to maintain these cultural heritage buildings may be scarce against the backdrop of poverty and basic social needs, it should be noted that some of the reasons advanced for such neglect lack validity.
   
   Surely, some routine maintenance activities necessary to stave off decay do not require huge amounts of money - such as clearing leaves from gutters, and making good spoon-drains to allow water to flow away from a historic building. Government houses and office buildings were the most affected in this regard. The government's deliberate policy of home ownership, has resulted in the sale of a large stock of government pool-houses, most of which were historic houses. Fortunately some of the new private owners are co-operating with NHCC and local authorities in matters of repair.
   
   
4. Risks due to Vandalism
   
   Vandalism has proven to be another big threat to the conservation of cultural heritage, particularly in urban centers. The young generation, and some adults, have no appreciation of heritage. In many cases, unjustified damage has been done to heritage sites by youths, where security has been seen to be lacking. Adults have also taken part in ransacking heritage sites, removing valuable items such as fossil remains and building elements from unoccupied historic buildings. Obvious examples are the Chirundu fossil forest site case in southern Zambia and Niamkolo national monument at Mplungu Harbour in northern Zambia. This threat is real; measures should be taken to curb it so that our sites can be protected for posterity.
   
   NHCC, with its co-operating partners, has put in place an ambitious project which aims to re-identify all recorded cultural heritage sites, and also to identify new ones in areas that have not been surveyed, with a view to updating its cultural heritage inventory. Further, a deliberate publicity campaign has been planned to raise public awareness on the need for private sector participation in heritage conservation, especially as present political developments have brought changes in terms of home ownership. It is hoped that the campaign will help minimise the apparent risks to these non-renewable resources.

source ICOMOS Zambia