Historic Ensemble of the Potala Palace, Lhasa

• Boundaries of the property
• Pressures of urban development and Growth in tourism-related activities resulting in many construction activities
•  Reconstruction and/or demolition of historic structures and rebuilding with new material and design features
• Deterioration of mural paintings due to humidity; use of lacquer varnish and excessive retouches

Previous deliberations:
Twenty-third session of the World Heritage Bureau  (paragraph number IV.53)
Twenty-third extraordinary session of the World Heritage Bureau - (paragraph number III.C)
Twenty-fourth session of the World Heritage Bureau - (paragraph number IV.58)
Twenty-fourth extraordinary session of the World Heritage Bureau - (paragraph number I.45)

Main Issues:        

Uncontrolled urban development and expansion of tourism-related facilities in and immediately surrounding the World Heritage areas.

New information

1. Following the request of the Bureau in November 2000, the President of ICOMOS carried out a Reactive Monitoring Mission to the Potala Palace and Jokhang Monastery between 26 February and 6 March 2001.
2. The ICOMOS Mission reported that:

• The Urban Development Plan of Lhasa has considered the protection of the World Heritage areas.

• Weakness in co-ordination of activities in the past has resulted in inappropriate construction in the heritage areas.

• The authorities however stated that the problems have now been solved and that a system of clearance by the Administration of Cultural Heritage of Tibet Autonomous Region has been established.

• The mission noted a newly constructed television tower, which is located outside the buffer zone but interferes with some of the distant visual angles of the Potala Palace.

• Redevelopment of the lakes and parks to the South and the West of the Potala Palace that comes within the buffer zone has been integrated into the Lhasa City Development Plan providing a scenic surrounding to the Potala Palace and creating place for relaxation and enjoyment to the general public.

• In the protected area in front of the Potala Palace (Shol Area) within the World Heritage area, composed of a large number of historic buildings that historically served the integrated functions of the Potala, many incompatible additions and alterations have taken place in the past. This area, presently occupied by private institutions and persons, has been taken over by the Administration of Cultural Heritage under a special conservation project and they have started providing alternative accommodation to the present inhabitants prior to the conservation of the buildings. Plans have been made to accommodate only those activities deemed compatible with the functioning of the Potala Palace..

• The Potala Palace Protection Plan and Jokhang Monastery Protection Plan were prepared, focussing attention on the conservation, maintenance and monitoring, including annual programmes to enhance religious activities, best utilization of the available staff and funding from various sources including income received from visitor fees .

• With regard to the general lighting and special flood lighting installed in the public piazza of Jokhang Monastery, the mission proposed improvements and modifications to the existing lighting system to the Mayor and the technical staff of the Lhasa Municipal Government.

• Regarding the large surface area of valuable murals painted on clay-lime plaster, the authorities have only taken preventive measures as they do not have trained personnel in Tibet for painting conservation work. The authorities requested ICOMOS Scientific Committee on Wall Paintings to propose a training activity for mural conservators in Tibet.

• No scientific documentation and conservation work is being planned for thousands of Thanka paintings drawn on silk some dating from the 11^th century; nor the scripture books documenting Mahayana Buddhist doctrine, surviving from the 7^th century, written in Sanskrit and Tibetan languages on palm leaves, bark sheets and Tibetan hand made paper. Poor management of documentation, termites, rats, humidity and fire have been identified as major threats to these valuable cultural property.

• With regard to international co-operation, the authorities indicated their wish to collaborate with international organizations in preserving the World Heritage areas, but reiterated the need for all international projects to be cleared by them and be integrated into the overall conservation plan.

3. The Secretariat was informed recently by various sources that some religious treasures at the Potala Palace are being exported, such as the five-metre bronze and gold statue of Maitriya - the future Buddha, from the tomb of the 7^th Dalai Lama and statues and artifacts from another shrine in the Potala Palace to Shanghai. On 16 May 2001, the Secretariat requested the Chinese authorities to provide further information concerning the current policy regarding movable cultural heritage of the Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple in Lhasa.

The Bureau expresses its appreciation to the Chinese authorities for facilitating the ICOMOS Reactive Monitoring Mission to the Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple in Lhasa. The Bureau recalls having encouraged the Chinese authorities to submit a training request for the organization of a training Workshop on the conservation of mural paintings with support from UNESCO and the Advisory Bodies. The Bureau also requests the Chinese authorities to provide further information concerning the current policy regarding movable cultural heritage of the Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple in Lhasa. Furthermore, the Bureau expresses its readiness to consider international assistance from the World Heritage Fund to support the national and local efforts in safeguarding the World Heritage areas of Lhasa and requests the World Heritage Centre to work in close collaboration with the State Party to prepare a plan of action to address the conservation issues raised in the Reactive Monitoring Mission Report of ICOMOS.

As requested by the Bureau at its twenty-fifth session, the Secretariat continued to work in close collaboration with the State Administration of Cultural Heritage of China and the Government of the Tibetan Autonomous Region to prepare the organization of a Mural Painting Conservation Training Workshop at the Potala Palace World Heritage site.

 

Within the context of the Regional Periodic Reporting Exercise, the Centre is closely co-operating with the State Party to elaborate a plan of action to enhance the conservation and management of the property.

The Centre was informed by independent reports and the international press that there were plans to construct a 35-meter high monument within the World Heritage protected areas of the property. During a UNESCO mission to China in August 2001, the Deputy Director of the Centre consulted representatives from the Administration of Cultural Heritage of the Tibetan Autonomous Region and the State Administration of Cultural Heritage of China, who informed her that this plan had been abandoned.

The Centre was informed that heavy rain in August 2001 caused the collapse of one of the main walls of the Potala Palace as well as other portions of the World Heritage protected areas. In co-operation with the relevant Chinese authorities, a WHC - China fact-finding mission is being organized to the property in early November 2001. The report on the state of conservation of the Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple in Lhasa will be presented to the Bureau at its twenty-fifth extraordinary session.