Chan Chan Archaeological Zone

a)  Continuous deterioration of earthen architecture structures and decorated surfaces from lack of conservation and maintenance practices;

b)  Illegal occupation of the property;

c)  Unregulated farming activities;

d)  Rising water table levels;

e)  Delay in implementing protective measures (legislation and regulations already passed by the National Authorities).

• Fragile state of conservation of earthen structures and decorated surfaces due to extreme climatic conditions (El Niño phenomena) and other environmental factors;
• Inadequate management system in place;
• Insufficient capacity and resources for the implementation of conservation measures;
• Increase in the levels of the phreatic water table.

Adopted, See page https://whc.unesco.org/en/decisions/4647

Adopted, see page https://whc.unesco.org/en/decisions/4647

The State Party submitted, as requested by the World Heritage Committee at its 36th session (Saint-Petersburg, 2012), a report on the state of conservation of the property on 31 January 2013, and three annexes containing a record of photographs and plans, the analysis of the current state of the Site Museum and a record of the main activites planned and developed in 2012. The report provides information on the progress made on the adopted Desired state of conservation and the related corrective measures.

a)  Management system

Since 2006, Public Investment Projects have been carried out at the property in accordance with the provisions set forth in the conservation and management plan. The Special Project for the Chan Chan Archaeological Complex has been incorporated into the Ministry of Culture and its institutional structure has been modified, though no further details are given on those institutional changes.

The report includes a table showing the overwiew of projects with their assigned and modified budget for the biennium 2012-2013. After prioritizing activities around research and restoration, the allocated budget for the implementation of the Master Plan in 2012 was reduced by 10.5%. A budget of 7,034,030 soles (i.e. an increase of 38% since 2012) has been allocated for 2013. 

b)  Approval of Management Plan and integration with other planning tools

Throughout 2012, meetings have been held with local and regional authorities regarding disaster risk management and the management of the buffer zone. As for the latter, work has continued with the Provincial Municipality of Trujillo for the definition of a final proposal for the regulations of the buffer zone, which is pending approval. No additional information is provided on the type of regulations, the expected timeframe for the completion of the update of the Master Plan, which, along with the Risk and Contingency Management Plan and the Public Use Plan, had to be rescheduled for 2013 given the lack of available budgets.

c)  Implementation of conservation and maintenance measures

The State Party reports on several projects that were implemented throughout 2012 which include archaeological research, conservation of perimeter walls, implementation and maintenance of physical delineation of the property (vegetation barriers and perimeter walls) and maintenance activities of the architecture, the existing drainage systems and protective shelters. Work carried out corresponds to priorities identified through condition assessments and preventive measures in response to potential impacts derived from El Niño phenomenon. These priorities are set out in the “Guidelines for an Integral Plan for Risk Prevention in the Chan Chan Archaeological Complex”. In addition, monitoring of decorated surfaces that were covered with fibreglass replicas was carried out at the beginning of 2012. Preliminary results indicate that the measure is effective in protecting original surfaces. Still, there is no mention of the monitoring system in place for a systematic monitoring strategy.

The State Party recalls the principle of minimum intervention for a better handling of surfaces. No additional information is provided in this respect so as to ascertain whether it might constitute a feasible conservation alternative for the extensive decorated surfaces at the site. Monitoring of the state of conservation of the property has continued, including the monitoring of water table levels through the 33 control wells and the maintenance of the drains built to address the potential threat of increased water table levels. The State Party also reports on the guidelines for conservation interventions, which are consistent with standards set at the international level. No data is provided however on whether these have been formally adopted. The State Party further reports on the continuous maintenance of physical delineation of the property, including punctual restorations of the vegetation barriers, though no explicit information is provided on the maintenance of the perimeter walls.

In regard to the site museum, it is noted that the assessment has been carried out. A project proposal for the Improvement and Extension of the Public Tourist Service in the Site Museum at Chan Chan is being developed in cooperation with the National Copesco Plan. It is expected the project will be included in the Public Use Plan for the property, although no indication is provided on the timeframe for implementation.

As for solid waste management, two days of cleaning were undertaken and areas along access roads and the northeast sector were cleared. Although these actions are significant, there still needs to be a sustained programme to ensure the frequent cleaning of waste, but most importantly to ensure that people living in adjacent areas do not continue this practice.

d)  Legislative and regulatory measures to address illegal occupations

As in past years, the State Party reports that technical and legal actions have continued to ensure the permanent monitoring of the protected archaeological zone and prevent unauthorized agricultural activities or illegal occupation for housing, including police surveillance and legal prosecutions. Surveillance has also been carried out to monitor the transit of vehicles on unauthorized roadways and the disposal of solid waste. As for the finalization of regulations for Law 28261, Supreme Resolution 019-2012-MC amended the conformation of the Multisectorial Commission that was created for the comprehensive recovery of the Chan Chan Archaeological Complex. Ministerial Resolution 386-2012-MC appointed the Regional Director of Culture of La Libertad, as representative before the Commission and appointed a technical secretary. Other agencies that make up the aforementioned Commission are accrediting their respective representatives. No additional information is provided on the timeframe for achieving the corrective measure, and no explicit description of the decision-making process is provided.

e)  Other issues

The State Party also reports on the dissemination, awareness raising and capacity building activities. These continue to be part of the programme for social awareness and educational institutions that has been consistently implemented in past years. It would be important to evaluate the impact the sustained carrying out of these activities has had in terms of increased protection and conservation of the property.

As for the securing of long-term funding, as mentioned above, the Government remains the main source of financing at the moment. Nevertheless, the State Party reports on an international intervention, as a result of a partnership with the Italian public institution, Istituto per le Tecnologie Applicate ai Beni Culturali del Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, as well as an intersectorial agreement between national and local authorities concerning the improvement of the tourist infrastructure, under the responsibility of the Provincial Municipality of Trujillo. The execution of the latter is still pending and no further details are provided on it.

Concerning the finalization of the definition of the buffer zone and its regulatory measures, the State Party reports that the work process is continuing, in collaboration with local authorities. The participation of an urban specialist architect in the process is planned for 2013. 

The World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies note the sustained efforts of the State Party in implementing the corrective measures so as to achieve the Desired state of conservation adopted for the property. They consider that significant progress has been made in addressing the state of conservation of the built heritage and the decorated surfaces. However, the updating of the management plan and the adoption of regulatory measures, pending over the last eight years, will continue to be crucial issues in ensuring the long term conservation and protection of the property and for considering the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger, where it was inscribed in 1986.