United nations educational, scientific and cultural organization convention concerning the protection of the world cultural

(ii) To facilitate the work of the Bureau, state of conservation reports are presented in a standard format that includes the following information:

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  Name of property (State Party)
  
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  Year of inscription on the World Heritage List
  
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  International assistance
  

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  Previous deliberations (Reference is made to relevant paragraph numbers of reports of the most recent sessions of the Committee and its Bureau)
  
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  Main issues
  
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  New information
  
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  Action required.
  

(iii) The 24th session of the World Heritage Committee (Cairns, 2000) introduced a number of reforms to the working methods of the World Heritage Committee and Bureau. This included the introduction of an "A" (items which are the subject of consensus for adoption) and "B" (items requiring discussion by the Committee) decision-making system. Therefore this document requests the Bureau to examine state of conservation reports and, either

Inscribed in 1984 on the World Heritage List under criteria C (iii), (iv) and (vi)

Up to 2001, US $ 10,000 under preparatory assistance for a Planning Seminar in cooperation with the University of Delft

25th ordinary Session of the Bureau, Paris, June 2001 – WHC-2001/CONF.205/5, pages 22 and 23.

Deterioration of the archaeological remains; World Bank Project; Impact of uncontrolled urban development; Lack of staff.

Byblos is one of five Lebanese sites considered by a large Cultural Heritage and Urban Development Project financed by the World Bank. In June 2001, the Bureau had requested the State Party to ensure that the findings and recommendations of two Seminars, organized by the World Heritage Centre in 1998 and 1999 in collaboration with the Delft University, be taken into account in defining the scope of the World Bank project’s activities.

The ICOMOS mission found that, despite the remarkable efforts of the few staff working at the site, and some cleaning and site presentation carried out in view of the Summit on the Francophonie, most of its monuments and remains are in a very precarious and dangerous state of conservation. The main problems concern exposed and very fragile structures at risk of collapse, unprotected excavations, and the lifted or in situ mosaics, which are being deteriorated by the combined effect of weathering, neglect and cement. The ICOMOS report stressed the urgent need for retaining walls to prevent erosion, the refilling of most open excavations, the conservation and protection of mosaics, and their proper presentation in an exhibition area to be identified.

The proposals prepared by the World Bank Consultant for the rehabilitation of the old city focused on three main areas: access and parking; the historic city centre; and the harbour. The relationship with the archaeological site was not taken into account, and an archaeological study was not commissioned by the Bank, contrary to what was done for Tyre and Baalbeck. The World Bank mission, while commending the overall approach of the Study, requested the Consultant to disregard certain options and concentrate on some selected priorities, with a view to completing the Study and enable the finalization of the Project.

A separate issue is the proposal, by the Ministry of Public Works and Transports, for an extension of the new jetty facing the old harbour of Byblos, to protect this and house a small tourist marina. As already pointed out by the participants in the two seminars organized by the Centre, and confirmed by the ICOMOS expert, this extension would have a major negative impact on the old harbour without providing a guarantee against the strong winter currents. The proposed realization of a road across the archaeological area to construct the extension to the jetty, moreover, would be a disaster for the site. ICOMOS strongly recommends that, instead of engaging in these new projects, a detailed survey of the under-water areas around the site and within the harbour be completed as a matter of urgency.

One of the main problems concerning the archaeological site of Byblos, much as for all the other archaeological sites of the country, is the chronic lack of staff, which severely affects the capacity of the DGA to adequately conserve and manage this large and very important property. Recognizing this problem at the national level, the World Bank decided to include an Institutional Assessment of the DGA as a precondition for the negotiation of its Project with the Lebanese Government. The WHC, which strongly supports this initiative, was involved in the preparation of the Terms of Reference for this Assessment and in the selection of the experts.

Inscribed in 1987 on the World Heritage List under criteria C(i), (iii), (iv) and (vi).

Total amount up to 2000: N/A

In 2001: N/A
Previous deliberations: N/A
Main issues:

Insufficient co-ordination of site management authorities and uncontrolled tourism development. Lack of a comprehensive management plan to ensure the conservation and sustainable development of the site.

A WHC staff member undertook an official visit to the property in November 2001. The mission noted that this World Heritage property consists of two parts, which are not contiguous.

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  Establish a comprehensive site management authority supported by both conservation and site development authorities. In particular, the Chinese authorities may wish to explore further the mobilization of the rich experience and human resources of the Shaanxi Provincial Cultural Relics Bureau to ensure that conservation needs are appropriately addressed while developing the site;
  

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  Elaborate a comprehensive management plan for this property, taking into due consideration existing management plans, regulations, heritage protection and preservation needs;
  

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  Expand the protective buffer zones of the Mausoleum taking into account the most recent archaeological discoveries; consider the relocation of intrusive elements outside the extended World Heritage protective zones;
  

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  Define the World Heritage protective core zone of the Terra Cotta Museum complex to include the three pits. Identify the rest of the museum complex and its surrounding area as the protective buffer zone with restrictions on new constructions.
  

The Bureau requests the World Heritage Centre to assist the Chinese authorities in the elaboration of a long-term comprehensive management plan for the property. The Bureau further requests that a progress report on measures taken to enhance the conservation and development of the property be submitted for examination by the Committee at its 27^th session within the framework of the Periodic Reporting Exercise for the Asia-Pacific Region.”

Ajanta Caves was inscribed in 1983 on the World Heritage List under criteria C (i,ii,iii,vi)

Ellora Caves was inscribed in 1983 on the World Heritage List under criteria C(i, iii,vi)
International assistance:

Total amount (up to 2000): US$ 13,331

In 2001: US$ 3,733.60 For a reactive monitoring mission to Ajanta and Ellora Caves
Previous deliberations:

25th extraordinary session of the Bureau (Chapter number III.249).

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  Lack of microclimate control
  
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  Progressive structural deterioration
  
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  Absence of restoration and conservation codes adopted and implemented on a regular basis following international conservation norms
  

Upon the request of the national authorities, the World Heritage Centre organized a reactive monitoring mission by an international mural painting expert nominated by ICCROM between 1-9 December 2001. The mission examined the state of conservation of the mural paintings within the Ajanta and Ellora Caves and noted the following main threats facing the wall paintings:

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  infiltration of rainwater into the caves;
  
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  minor cracks on carved surfaces
  
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  flaking of the paint layer
  
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  infestation of bats and insects within the caves
  

The UNESCO expert recommended that the authorities consider:

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  revising present methods for stabilizing and cleaning the wall painting surfaces;
  
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  testing of new and alternative methods on small wall painting surfaces;
  
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  continuous monitoring of the microclimate conditions in Ajanta Caves;
  
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  enhancing documentation and archival material to evaluate changing conditions of the wall painting material;
  
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  conserving further, the unique natural setting of the Ajanta and Ellora Caves by following the concept of minimal intervention with the historically established environment and giving preference to conservation solutions which involve minimal changes.
  

Finally, noting certain weaknesses within the institutional framework of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) which occasionally prevent maximum utilization of the rich capacity and experience within its various branches, the UNESCO mission recommended that co-operation be enhanced between the complementary ASI branches to enhance the long-term protection and conservation of the two sites.

Inscribed in 1984 on the World Heritage List under criteria C (i,iii,vi)

Total amount up to 2000: US$ 39,000

Need for comprehensive management plan to avoid illegal encroachment and ad-hoc construction.

Following an ICOMOS monitoring mission to the site undertaken in February 2000, the Bureau, at its 24^th extraordinary session, reiterated its request made previously to the State Party to urgently prepare a Comprehensive Management Plan to mitigate potential threats caused by illegal encroachment and ad-hoc construction in the areas surrounding the site, and requested the Secretariat to assist the State Party in mobilising international technical expertise and co-operation as required and appropriate. The report from the State Party on the progress made in developing the Plan and on the measures taken in favour of the conservation and development of this site has not been submitted to date.

Inscribed in 1979 on the World Heritage List for criteria C (i,v,vi)

Total amount up to 2001: US$ 39,000

24th session of the Bureau (Chapter IV.66)

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  Absence of a process of systematic monitoring
  
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  Development pressure
  

Following an invitation by the Government of Iran, a World Heritage Centre staff member undertook a mission to Esfahan in mid-January 2002. The mission was informed that in line with the recommendation of the 1995 UNESCO Mission, the authorities were redefining and extending the World Heritage protected area to include key monuments and historic architectural ensembles representing the Safavid period urban planning scheme. Soon after the WHC mission, the authorities submitted a preliminary draft nomination dossier for consultation with UNESCO.

The WHC mission noted with deep appreciation, the high level of conservation of the monuments composing the Historic Centre of Esfahan including the Meidan Emam World Heritage area. As the property is a complex site, the WHC mission recommended that site-interpretation and signage of the World Heritage values of the property be enhanced.

The WHC mission witnessed the illegal construction of a new commercial complex within the “Conservation Protective Zone of Esfahan Historic City”. According to the authorities, the legal status of this zone had been adopted by the Government of Iran. The construction, planned by the Municipality of Esfahan, was not authorized by the Central Government. Regretfully, the high-rise complex impacts upon the skyline of the historic city, as it has been constructed beyond the maximum height limitations for new constructions. In February 2002, the World Heritage Centre requested clarification on the status of the discussions continuing between the Municipality and the Central Government authorities to correct the situation. Additional information will be presented to the Bureau at the time of its session.

The monitoring mission to be jointly undertaken by ICOMOS and an international urban planner funded under the UNESCO-France Convention was postponed after the events of 11 September 2001. Since January 2002, the organization of this mission, combined with a stakeholders’ meeting also financed under the UNESCO-France Convention, has been reactivated. The dates of the mission and the meeting will be reported to the Bureau at the time of its session.
Action required: The Bureau may wish to examine information that will be made available at the time of its session and take the appropriate decision thereupon.
Town of Luang Prabang (Lao People's Democratic Republic)

Inscribed in 1995 on the World Heritage List, under criteria C (ii) (iv) (v)

Total amount from 1994-2000: US$ 125,000

24^th session of the WH Committee (Chapter IV.para.69).

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  Weakness of legal framework and administrative capacity to manage urban development;
  
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  Illegal demolition of listed and non-listed buildings and illegal construction of buildings not in conformity with the conservation plan (PSMV) in the World Heritage protected area;
  
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  Consolidation of the riverbank along the NamKhan River with negative visual impact and possible structural risks;
  
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  inadequate flow of information between the local and national authorities concerning conservation and development activities, lack of control in general;
  

In September 2000 a mission of a legal expert financed within the framework of the France-UNESCO Cooperation Agreement was carried out to provide legal assistance to the national and local authorities to revise the Decree of the Council of Ministers on the Protection of Monumental, Urban and Natural Heritage of Laos, and to draft the status of the Heritage House (Maison du patrimoine), the heritage advisory service attached to the provincial authorities of Luang Prabang.

Following the recommendation of the 24th session of the Bureau, an ICOMOS mission was dispatched to evaluate the construction design and engineering mechanics of the riverbank consolidation proposed by the contractor of the Asian Development Bank's Secondary Cities (ADB) project. The ICOMOS expert's report which judged the design to be satisfactory was transmitted by UNESCO to the national authorities and ADB. The consolidation work has since been completed. The hydro-engineering experts and the urban planning experts of the decentralized cooperation programme (joint Chinon-Luang Prabang-UNESCO programme supported by the French Development Agency-AFD)) has judged the work to seriously impair the value of the site, not only in terms of negative visual impact but particularly for the unnecessary widening of the quay along the riverbank which transforms the delicate urban morphology of the town. The open ditch created to capture rainwater run-off along the riverbank has also aggravated the problem of solid waste with the ditch being used as a waste disposal. The experts also expressed reserve over the technical feasibility of the consolidation work, both for the original design and the actual realization.

Inscribed in 1997 on the World Heritage List under criteria C (iii), (vi)

Total amount (up to 2001): US$ 40,000

25th session of the Committee (Chapter VIII.151).

25th extraordinary session of the Bureau (Chapter III.265)
Main issues:

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  Conservation for the Maya Devi Temple exposed to harsh natural elements since the large-scale excavation in 1996.
  
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  Establishment of a sustainable drainage mechanism to prevent further degradation of the archaeological deposits.
  
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  Identification of heritage assets within the core and buffer zones.
  

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  Elaboration of a garden landscape conservation scheme.
  

Although the state of conservation of this property has been regularly examined by the Bureau since 1999, the situation still calls for serious remedial measures based upon careful assessment and analysis of the heritage assets and usage of the pilgrimage property. Appropriate follow-up actions are necessary based upon the recommendations adopted by the Nepalese authorities following the International Technical Meeting (April 2001) and four international expert missions organized at the request of the Government, to ensure that conservation, management and presentation activities on-site.

Inscribed in 1999 on the World Heritage List under criteria C (ii) and (iii).

Total amount up to 2000: N/A

In 2001: N/A
Previous deliberations: N/A
Main issues:

De-mining of unexploded ordnance (UXO) at the site.

My Son is located along the Ho Chi Minh Trail and was one of the prime areas where unused ordnance was dumped during the Vietnam War.

In the years following peace in 1975, the Vietnamese authorities de-mined four main monumental area of surface unexploded ordnance (UXO). With the assistance of the German, Italian and Polish experts, restoration has been carried out on some of the principal brick towers composing a part of My Son World Heritage property. However, archaeological research of two newly-discovered areas, restoration of eight monumental areas, and site presentation for visitors can not proceed as de-mining has not been completed.
At the request of the Vietnamese authorities, UNESCO Bangkok Office, the Italian Government and the Lerici Foundation carried out a 3-year research project (1999 - 2001) to use non-invasive methods to map the underground archaeological remains of the My Son World Heritage Site. Identification of buried structures as well as UXO has been completed in 2001.
UNESCO is closely co-ordinating with the Armed Forces of Viet Nam providing them with detailed GIS maps of the areas that still remain mined. The process of removing the UXO is progressing slowly, mainly due to lack of funds.

To facilitate both the UXO-removal and restoration work on site, the UNESCO Bangkok Office, together with the Lerici Foundation and the Ministry of Culture and Information of the Government of Viet Nam, prepared the project “Safeguarding of My Son World Heritage Site--Demonstration and Training in the Application of International World Heritage Standards of Conservation at My Son Group G Monuments”. This project has been approved by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for an amount of US$ 812,470, to be financed under the UNESCO-Italy Funds-In-Trust Co-operation Agreement, brokered by the World Heritage Centre. The implementation of this project will be co-ordinated by the World Heritage Centre, in co-operation with the appropriate UNESCO field offices.

Inscribed in 1998 on the World Heritage List under criteria C (iii) and (vi).