Sun Temple, Konârak
Factors affecting the property in 1999*
- Storms
- Other Threats:
Gradual deterioration and the structural instability
Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports
- Monsoon rain
- Gradual deterioration and the structural instability
International Assistance: requests for the property until 1999
Total amount approved : 49,500 USD
| 1997 | Emergency assistance to urgently conduct a fundamental ... (Approved) | 39,000 USD |
| 1986 | Consultants to advise the authorities on the ... (Approved) | 10,500 USD |
Missions to the property until 1999**
Information presented to the Bureau of the World Heritage Committee in 1999
Summary of previous deliberations: The Committee, at its twenty-first session in 1997, requested the Government of India to report on the findings of the structural studies to be undertaken with the World Heritage Fund Emergency Assistance grant at its twenty-second session of the Bureau in June 1998. The Government of India was also requested to keep the Secretariat informed in the meantime, to enable UNESCO to mobilize additional international co-operation to undertake corrective measures, as required. Although the Observer of India assured the Committee that the report on the structural studies would be submitted, as requested, the study has not been received as of 4 May 1999. Furthermore, the World Heritage Centre has not received sufficient justification for the continuation of financial support for this study.
New information: Since May 1998, the World Heritage Centre received information concerning the continued deterioration of the stone structures at the Sun Temple of Konarak. To cite but one example, a stone at the north-east side of the Jagamohan porch, weighing 2 tons, reportedly fell on the Pidha ledge of the Sun Temple on 19 September 1998.
Action Required
Conservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 1999
Previous deliberations:
World Heritage Committee, twenty-first session - Chapter VII.5
World Heritage Bureau, twenty-third session - Chapter IV.62
New information:The World Heritage Centre has requested ICOMOS to arrange for a reactive monitoring mission to the site. The mission, as requested by the Bureau at its twenty-third session is expected to review the work carried out with the 1997 emergency assistance fund, to report on the national actions undertaken to halt the deterioration of the stone structure and structural engineering problems which are reportedly serious and to discuss with the Government of India on whether or not it intends to nominate this site for inscription on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
Summary of the interventions
Decisions adopted by the Committee in 1999
23 BUR IV.B.62
Sun Temple of Konarak (India)
The Committee, at its twenty-first session in 1997, requested the Government of India to report on the findings of the structural studies being undertaken with World Heritage Fund Emergency Assistance. The Government of India was also requested to keep the Secretariat informed in the meantime, to enable UNESCO to mobilize additional international co-operation to undertake corrective measures, as required. The report on the structural studies has not been submitted and the World Heritage Centre has not received sufficient justification for the continuation of financial support for this study.
Since May 1998, the World Heritage Centre received information concerning the continued deterioration of the stone structures at the Sun Temple of Konarak. To cite but one example, a stone at the north-east side of the Jagamohan porch, weighing 2 tons, reportedly fell on the Pidha ledge of the Sun Temple on 19 September 1998.
The Bureau, having examined the new developments at the Sun Temple of Konarak, expressed serious concern over its state of conservation, and requested the Government of India to take urgent measures to halt the deterioration of the stone structures at this site. The Bureau requested the World Heritage Centre to field a mission with the assistance of the advisory bodies to (a) prepare a report on the state of conservation of the site and the adequacy of conservation measures in place; (b) recommend, if necessary, additional measures that may be needed for the conservation of the site; and (c) assist the Government of India in submitting information concerning the structural study, implemented with financial assistance from the World Heritage Fund Emergency Assistance Reserve made available in 1998. The Bureau requested the World Heritage Centre to submit a report of the mission for review by the Bureau at its twenty-third extraordinary session, and invited the Government of India to clarify whether or not it intends to nominate this site for inscription on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
23 COM X.B.38
SOC: Sun Temple of Konarak (India)
X.38 Sun Temple of Konarak (India)
The Committee recalled the reports from the twenty-third ordinary and the twenty-third extraordinary session of the Bureau on the state of conservation of this property and adopted the following decision:
"The Committee, having examined the developments at the Sun Temple of Konarak, expressed concern over its state of conservation. The Committee reiterated the Bureau's requests to the Government of India to submit information concerning the structural study implemented with the financial assistance from the World Heritage Fund emergency assistance reserve, made available in 1998. The Committee requested the World Heritage Centre and ICOMOS to continue its arrangements for an urgent reactive monitoring mission, in close co-operation with the national authorities concerned. The Committee requested the findings of this ICOMOS mission, and reports submitted by the Government of India, to be submitted for examination by the Bureau at its twenty-fourth session. The Committee also requested the Secretariat and ICOMOS to clarify whether or not the Government of India intends to nominate this site for inscription on the List of World Heritage in Danger."
The Bureau may wish to formulate a decision upon examining further information to be presented by the Secretariat at the twenty-third extraordinary session of the Bureau.
India
* :
The threats indicated are listed in alphabetical order; their order does not constitute a classification according to the importance of their impact on the property.
Furthermore, they are presented irrespective of the type of threat faced by the property, i.e. with specific and proven imminent danger (“ascertained danger”) or with threats which could have deleterious effects on the property’s Outstanding Universal Value (“potential danger”).
** : All mission reports are not always available electronically.
