Abstract:
The objective of this study is to identify the main challenges and management status in the
conservation of heritage resources in the monastery of Debre Maryam because Heritage
management is very important to the transfer heritages to the next generations which contribute
to the development of tourism industry in different countries of the world. The researcher had
employed a descriptive research design with a qualitative approach and informants were
selected from members of local communities, Tourism and culture Bureau in different field of
specialization, heritage conservator, boatmen, tourists, and expert from Bahir Dar City
Administration Culture, Tourism and Sport Department, spiritual fathers and monks from the
monastery, church school students and sellers and tourism business enterprises All the
concerned target populations were purposively selected based on their work experience,
position and background knowledge and involvement on the issue, in order to get in depth
information about the subject. In regarding this, six (6) individuals were selected for focus
group discussion and twenty-four (24) key informants for interview. The data collection
methods were interview, focus group discussion, field observation, and document analysis. This
study also employed personal observation of the status and challenges of heritage management
in the study area. Information was analyzed by arranging data in groups or classes according
to their thematic and assigning of symbols to each of the categories of responses. Based on the
result the major challenges identified are looting, Lack of financial resource, lack of awareness,
poor heritage handling system, lack of electricity, absence of coordination among stakeholders,
lack of adequate museum, lack of documentation, loss of authenticity, lack of skilled man
powers and the presence of insects. So based on the finding, Recommendations were suggested
that the local and regional government should cooperate in managing the heritages in a good
management status and should solve the challenges. Additionally the local community should be
organized themselves in manage the heritages and will transfer to the next generation.
