Archaeological Ruins at Moenjodaro
Factors affecting the property in 1995*
- Flooding
- Impacts of tourism / visitor / recreation
- Water (rain/water table)
- Other Threats:
Deterioration of the bricks due to salt crystallization and hydration
Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports
- Flooding and lowering of the ground water table
- Impacts of tourism/visitor
- Deterioration of the bricks due to salt crystallization and hydration
International Assistance: requests for the property until 1995
Total amount approved : 79,000 USD
| 1995 | Updating of the Tentative List and revision of the ... (Approved) | 11,000 USD |
| 1983 | 6-month fellowship for the Head of the Moenjodaro ... (Approved) | 14,000 USD |
| 1982 | Training and equipment for a conservation laboratory ... (Approved) | 34,000 USD |
| 1982 | Workshop seminar at Moenjodaro on the conservation of ... (Approved) | 20,000 USD |
Missions to the property until 1995**
Information presented to the Bureau of the World Heritage Committee in 1995
The World Heritage Centre undertook a mission in March 1995 to assist the national authorities in preparing the state of conservation reports on the World Heritage cultural properties in Pakistan.
The mission benefitted from the 15th meeting of the International Consultative Committee (ICC) for the Safeguarding Campaign for Moenjodaro, launched in 1974, to gather information for a monitoring report on this site currently under preparation in collaboration with and at the request of the national authorities. Amongst the observations made were: (i) the need to ensure the sustainability of activities presently funded by UNDP and the UNESCO/Japan Funds-in-Trust by integrating the national experts trained under these projects as staff of the Department of Archaeology and Museums; (ii) clarification of the division of responsibilities between the various government entities dealing with the protection and conservation of Moenjodaro; (iii) cost-benefit appraisal of the electricity-generated water pumping work to lower the water table intended to protect the sub-surface archaeological remains; (iv) need for an international technical adviser based in Moenjodaro or in Karachi to provide more regular advice to the on-site conservation team.
The ICC expressed concern over the damage caused to the original walls by heavy rainfall in 1994, but noted that the recent protection measures applied was successful in limiting the damage.
Action Required
The Bureau, having noted the concerns raised at the 15th meeting of the Moenjodaro ICC, requests UNESCO to strengthen its support to the Pakistani authorities over the next two years to enable the termination of the International Campaign in 1997, as requested by the General Conference of UNESCO. The Bureau suggests that UNESCO and the national authorities concerned review the need for the nomination of an international expert based in Karachi or in Moenjodaro for the duration of the remaining period of the Campaign and if affirmative, seek international funding to finance the consultant post.
Summary of the interventions
Decisions adopted by the Committee in 1995
19 BUR VI.22
Archeological Ruins at Moenjodaro (Pakistan)
The World Heritage Centre informed the Bureau that it undertook a mission in March 1995 to assist the national authorities in preparing the state of conservation reports on the World Heritaqe cultural-properties in Pakistan.
The mission benefitted from the 15th meeting of the International Consultative Committee (ICC) for the Safeguarding Campaign for Moenjodaro, launched in 1974, to gather information for a monitoring report on this site currently under preparation in collaboration with and at the request of the national authorities. Amongst the observations made were: (i) the need to ensure the sustainability of activities presently funded by UNDP and the UNESCO/Japan Funds-in-Trust by integrating the national experts trained under these projects as staff of the Department of Archaeology and Museums; (ii) clarification of the division of responsibilities between the various government entities dealing with the protection and conservation of Moenjodaro; (iii) cost-benefit appraisal of the electricity-generated water pumping work to lower the water table intended to protect the sub-surface archaeological remains; (iv) need for an international technical adviser based in Moenjodaro or in Karachi to provide more regular advice to the on-site conservation team.
The Centre reported that the ICC expressed concern over the damage caused to the original walls by heavy rainfall in 1994, but noted that the recent protection measures applied were successful in limiting the damage.
The Bureau, having noted the concerns raised at the 15th meeting of the Moenjodaro ICC, recommended that UNESCO strengthen its support to the Pakistani authorities over the next two years to enable the termination of the International Campaign as requested by the 25th Session of the General Conference of UNESCO. The Bureau suggested that UNESCO and the national authorities concerned, review the eventual need for the nomination of an international expert based in Karachi or in Moenjodaro for the duration of the remaining period of the Campaign and if affirmative, seek funding to finance the consultant post.
Pakistan
* :
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.
