Sangiran Early Man Site

• Establishment of a new Management Board
• Finalisation of appropriate land-use regulations facing of development pressure
• Involvement of the residents as stakeholders in property management
• Control over sand mining

On 30 November 2015, the State Party submitted a report on the state of conservation of the property, which is available at https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/593/documents and provides update information on the following:

• Legislation and regulations: In order to further strengthen the legislations adopted since 2010, additional regulations such as the Decree on Integrated Geographical Area of Sangiran as National Level Cultural Heritage Area have been adopted. Increased cooperation among governmental, regional and local actors has been ensured through cooperation agreements signed in 2015, which includes an agreement on improved services for visitor management and conservation. The provisions for Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) are addressed through spatial planning regulations in both regencies of Sragen and Karanganyar.
• Integrated Management Bureau (IMB): The IMB, foreseen to manage the property, is in a preparatory stage while its establishment is planned for 2016. The process for the development of an integrated management system and comprehensive management plan for Sangiran will be completed within 2016-17, resulting in a revised Master Plan for the comprehensive management of the property. The IMB will ensure active collaboration and involvement of all stakeholders and local communities in the management and conservation of the property, as well as in tourism related activities.
• Comprehensive conservation and tourism management plans: Through a series of workshops, factors affecting the property have been identified and form part of the management of the property. Strategies and time-bound actions to manage tourism have been identified in the tourism management plan.
• Recommendations of missions: Progress is reported with regard to capacity building and training of staff. The capacity building workshops have assisted in the development of the integrated management system and the development of a log-frame for management, conservation and monitoring. Increased awareness and involvement of local communities has been addressed through training activities. Further work is nevertheless required to ensure full participation of residents in site management, as well as improving regulations to control infrastructural and physical developments.
• Illegal sand mining: Restrictions on sand mining are ensured through regular monitoring and coordination with the local government and legally supported through the 2015 adopted Decree designating Sangiran Early Man site as National Cultural Heritage Area and the 2014 Decree designating Sangiran site as Central Java Protected Cultural Heritage Area.
• Interpretation: Measures have been taken to improve the interpretation of the property through Cluster Museums, providing visitors with better understanding of the values of the property and ensuring local participation in the conservation process.

The State Party has invested considerable efforts to strengthen and increase participation of local communities in management and monitoring of the site. While progress with strengthening legislation and protection measures has been reported, the IMB has yet to be established. The cooperation agreements signed between the different stakeholders is another important step towards greater coordination and decision-making. It is recommended that the Committee encourage however the State Party to establish, as soon as possible, the IMB to ensure coordinated management, conservation and monitoring of the property.

The State Party should complete the integrated management plan, together with the comprehensive conservation and tourism management plans and submit them to the World Heritage Centre for review by the Advisory Bodies. It should continue to further the active participation of residents in management, as well as improving regulations to control infrastructural and physical developments at the property.

Restrictions on sand mining activities have been strengthened through additional decrees and it remains important to ensure that monitoring and coordination is carried out in close collaboration with the local government and trained staff.

The establishment of cluster museums will certainly contribute to greater understanding and enhance site interpretation. According to the information provided, the involvement of local residents in the site interpretation and conservation is facilitated and supported through these museums. However, caution should be exercised in terms of interpretation programmes, relating to the traditional performances.