Heritage Vandalism: Psychological and Sociological Reasons

Vandalism is the intentional destruction of public or private property, possessing a significant threat to heritage monuments. In Kerala, historical sites frequently suffer from acts such as scribbling, defacement and unscientific restoration, diminishing their aesthetic, historic and cultural significance. Beyond the physical damage, vandalism impacts cultural identity, community pride, and the socio-economic landscape by eroding the sense of this shared heritage. This paper explores the psychological and sociological reasons behind vandalism in built heritage, on the basis of survey conducted on the built heritage sites of Kerala. It also presents potential remedies, focusing on education, legislation, and community involvement to limit this destructive behaviour.