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State of Conservation Minaret and ... 2017

Minaret and Archaeological Remains of Jam

Afghanistan
Factors affecting the property in 2017*
  • Civil unrest
  • Erosion and siltation/ deposition
  • Illegal activities
  • Management systems/ management plan
  • Other Threats:

    Inclination of the Minaret

Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports
  • Civil unrest (Political instability)
  • River erosion (Inclination of the Minaret)
  • Management systems/ management plan (Lack of management plan)
  • Illegal activities (Illicit excavations and looting)
Threats for which the property was inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger
  • Lack of legal protection
  • Lack of an effective monuments protection agency
  • Lack of adequate protection and conservation personnel
  • Lack of a comprehensive Management Plan
Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger

Adopted, see page https://whc.unesco.org/en/decisions/1286  

Corrective Measures for the property

Adopted, see page https://whc.unesco.org/en/decisions/1286  

Timeframe for the implementation of the corrective measures

A new timeframe needs to be developed and submitted by the State Party 

UNESCO Extra-Budgetary Funds until 2017

Total amount granted: USD 844,901 (2003-2012) from the Italian Funds-in-Trust; USD 124,300 (2003-2012) from the Swiss Funds-in-Trust

International Assistance: requests for the property until 2017
Requests approved: 2 (from 2002-2015)
Total amount approved : 93,750 USD
2015 Preparatory work for the conservation plan for the ... (Approved)   73,750 USD
2002 Training for national and local authorities in the ... (Approved)   20,000 USD
Missions to the property until 2017**

Several annual UNESCO expert missions took place between 2002 and 2006 in order to implement the operational projects for the property. After a period of three years of inactivity from 2007 to 2009, due to the security situation, UNESCO dispatched a mission in cooperation with an Afghan local NGO in 2010 to resume the on-site operations

2014 International Experts Mission Report, Minaret and Archaeological Remains of Jam, October 2014
2010 ALCO Mission Report, Minaret and Archaeological Remains of Jam, May 2010
Conservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 2017

On 9 April 2017, the State Party submitted a state of conservation report providing information on the implementation of the corrective measures and a Conservation Action Plan for conservation work at Jam, which is available at https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/211/documents.

The Conservation Action Plan, which was developed in cooperation with UNESCO and is currently being reviewed by the Ministry of Culture, addresses the following four key areas:

  • Protection: The south bank of the Hari Rud River should be consolidated with gabion wall extensions and the planting of trees upstream of the minaret. Systematic data collection for the two rivers shall be established to facilitate planning for future seasonal flooding;
  • Documentation: Measures needed to provide a solid basis for conservation and protection work include total station surveying, electric tomography, laser scanning and soil sampling;
  • Monitoring: Sensitive monitoring instruments should be installed on the Minaret to measure the extent of its inclination;
  • Conservation: The required conservation works include structural repairs for the helicoidal steps and the protection of the window cantilevers, along with the restoration of tile and stucco on the surface of the Minaret.

A hydrology training workshop is planned in close co-operation with the Aachen Technical University (RWTH) in Aachen (Germany) in April 2017, with the participation of a structural engineer and hydrologists from the Ministries of Information and Culture, Water and Energy.

A team of police officers have been deployed for the protection of the property and to monitor any illicit trafficking of cultural property. Due to heavy rains and snow in 2016, the guesthouse partly collapsed and is no longer usable. Therefore, the State Party needs to build a new guesthouse, which can also serve as a site office for the Department of Historical Monuments, as storage for conservation materials, and as accommodation for experts. In addition, the report stresses the importance of constructing a footbridge over the Hari Rud River to enable year-round access to the property for both the local communities and future conservation works.

Analysis and Conclusion by World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies in 2017

The information provided by the State Party on the Conservation Action Plan is not sufficiently detailed, and it appears that none of the recommendations made by the Committee at its 40th session (Istanbul/UNESCO, 2016) have been implemented. Moreover, the State Party has been providing information on the same issues related to the construction of a footbridge and a guesthouse for the last 6 years, with little or no progress reported and no reasons given for the continued delays.

It is recommended that the Committee also deeply regret that the State Party has not adopted the topographic map produced in 2012 within the framework of the UNESCO/Italy Funds in Trust (FiT) project, which took into account the crucial need for accurate mapping of the archaeological remains and for the definition of appropriate boundaries and a buffer zone for the property. As reiterated several times by the Committee, the adoption of the topographic map and the new proposed boundaries by the relevant authorities would constitute an essential step towards developing an effective conservation strategy.

It must be stressed once more that it is of the utmost importance that a realistic Conservation Action Plan, based on the above-mentioned strategy, be established and implemented. This Action Plan might be subdivided into a short-term work plan and a mid- or long-term work plan, with the former comprising a set of actions to be undertaken immediately, such as the installation of a monitoring device at the Minaret of Jam to measure its inclination and emergency stabilization work for the wooden staircases, in order to prevent further destabilization of the Minaret’s structure.

Regrettably, no action has been undertaken at the property since the termination of the UNESCO/Italy FiT and UNESCO/Switzerland FiT projects for the safeguarding the Minaret of Jam, in 2012. In light of this, it is recommended that the Committee strongly urge the State Party to implement, as a matter of urgency, the work plan produced as a result of the Emergency International Assistance and to allocate appropriate budgetary and human resources.

Finally, the comprehensive Conservation Action Plan should serve as the basis to revise the timeframe for the implementation of the corrective measures identified by the Committee at its 31st session (Christchurch, 2007), so as to achieve the Desired state of conservation for removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR).

Summary of the interventions
Decisions adopted by the Committee in 2017
41 COM 7A.55
Minaret and Archaeological Remains of Jam (Afghanistan) (C 211 rev)

The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Having examined Document WHC/17/41.COM/7A.Add,
  2. Recalling Decision 40 COM 7A.27 adopted at its 40th session (Istanbul/UNESCO, 2016),
  3. Notes with regret that the State Party has neither adopted the detailed topographic map of the property produced in 2012, nor submitted a proposal for a minor boundary modification, and reiterates its request to the State Party to adopt the 2012 topographic map of the property and to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2018, a proposal for a minor boundary modification, in accordance with Paragraphs 163-165 of the Operational Guidelines, for review by ICOMOS;
  4. Regrets that the State Party has not carried out any conservation work at the site since 2012;
  5. Urges the State Party to approve the Conservation Action Plan, which was established as an outcome of the Emergency International Assistance granted from the World Heritage Fund, along with the necessary financial resources, and to start implementing this Action Plan as soon as possible;
  6. Also urges the State Party, as a matter of urgency, to address the two issues that have been reported as urgent for several years already:
    1. The installation of a monitoring instrument on the Minaret of Jam to measure its inclination, and
    2. The emergency stabilization work for the wooden staircases, in order to prevent further destabilization of the Minaret’s structure;
  7. Requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2018, the detailed Conservation Action Plan along with details on the means allocated towards its implementation, including any financial measure;
  8. Also requests the State Party to construct a footbridge over the Hari Rud River and a guesthouse at the property, in order to improve access to the property and site security, which the State Party itself has highlighted as urgent for a number of years;
  9. Calls upon the international community to provide technical and financial support, in co-operation with the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies, for the implementation of above-mentioned Action Plan, which will be part of a strategy to implement the corrective measures adopted by the World Heritage Committee at its 31st session (Christchurch, 2007);
  10. Further requests the State Party to revise the timeframe for the implementation of the corrective measures and to submit it to the World Heritage Centre by 1 February 2018;
  11. Requests furthermore the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2018, an update report on the state of conservation of the property and the implementation of the above, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 42nd session in 2018;
  12. Decides to retain the Minaret and Archaeological Remains of Jam (Afghanistan) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
Read more
41 COM 8C.2
Update of the List of World Heritage in Danger (Retained Properties)

The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Having examined the state of conservation reports of properties inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger (WHC/17/41.COM/7A, WHC/17/41.COM/7A.Add and WHC/17/41.COM/7A.Add.2),
  2. Decides to retain the following properties on the List of World Heritage in Danger:
    • Afghanistan, Cultural Landscape and Archaeological Remains of the Bamiyan Valley (Decision 41 COM 7A.54)
    • Afghanistan, Minaret and Archaeological Remains of Jam (Decision 41 COM 7A.55)
    • Belize, Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System (Decision 41 COM 7A.2)
    • Bolivia (Plurinational State of), City of Potosí (Decision 41 COM 7A.23)
    • Central African Republic, Manovo-Gounda St Floris National Park (Decision 41 COM 7A.4)
    • Chile, Humberstone and Santa Laura Saltpeter Works (Decision 41 COM 7A.24)
    • Côte d'Ivoire / Guinea, Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve (Decision 41 COM 7A.6)
    • Democratic Republic of the Congo, Garamba National Park (Decision 41 COM 7A.7)
    • Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kahuzi-Biega National Park (Decision 41 COM 7A.8)
    • Democratic Republic of the Congo, Okapi Wildlife Reserve (Decision 41 COM 7A.9)
    • Democratic Republic of the Congo, Salonga National Park (Decision 41 COM 7A.10)
    • Democratic Republic of the Congo, Virunga National Park (Decision 41 COM 7A.11)
    • Egypt, Abu Mena (Decision 41 COM 7A.32)
    • Honduras, Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve (Decision 41 COM 7A.3)
    • Indonesia, Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra (Decision 41 COM 7A.18)
    • Iraq, Ashur (Qal'at Sherqat) (Decision 41 COM 7A.33)
    • Iraq, Hatra (Decision 41 COM 7A.34)
    • Iraq, Samarra Archaeological City (Decision 41 COM 7A.35)
    • Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls (site proposed by Jordan) (Decision 41 COM 7A.36)
    • Libya, Archaeological Site of Cyrene (Decision 41 COM 7A.37)
    • Libya, Archaeological Site of Leptis Magna (Decision 41 COM 7A.38)
    • Libya, Archaeological Site of Sabratha (Decision 41 COM 7A.39)
    • Libya, Old Town of Ghadamès (Decision 41 COM 7A.40)
    • Libya, Rock-Art Sites of Tadrart Acacus (Decision 41 COM 7A.41)
    • Madagascar, Rainforests of the Atsinanana (Decision 41 COM 7A.14)
    • Mali, Old Towns of Djenné (Decision 41 COM 7A.28)
    • Mali, Timbuktu (Decision 41 COM 7A.29)
    • Mali, Tomb of Askia (Decision 41 COM 7A.30)
    • Micronesia (Federated States of), Nan Madol: Ceremonial Centre of Eastern Micronesia (Decision 41 COM 7A.56)
    • Niger, Aïr and Ténéré Natural Reserves (Decision 41 COM 7A.15)
    • Palestine, Birthplace of Jesus: Church of the Nativity and the Pilgrimage Route, Bethlehem (Decision 41 COM 7A.42)
    • Palestine, Palestine: Land of Olives and Vines – Cultural Landscape of Southern Jerusalem, Battir (Decision 41 COM 7A.43)
    • Panama, Fortifications on the Caribbean Side of Panama: Portobelo-San Lorenzo (Decision 41 COM 7A.25)
    • Peru, Chan Chan Archaelogical Zone (Decision 41 COM 7A.26)
    • Senegal, Niokolo-Koba National Park (Decision 41 COM 7A.16)
    • Serbia, Medieval Monuments in Kosovo (Decision 41 COM 7A.21)
    • Solomon Islands, East Rennell (Decision 41 COM 7A.19)
    • Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient City of Aleppo (Decision 41 COM 7A.44)
    • Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient City of Bosra (Decision 41 COM 7A.45)
    • Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient City of Damascus (Decision 41 COM 7A.46)
    • Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient Villages of Northern Syria (Decision 41 COM 7A.47)
    • Syrian Arab Republic, Crac des Chevaliers and Qal’at Salah El-Din (Decision 41 COM 7A.48)
    • Syrian Arab Republic, Site of Palmyra (Decision 41 COM 7A.49)
    • Uganda, Tombs of Buganda Kings at Kasubi (Decision 41 COM 7A.31)
    • United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Liverpool – Maritime Mercantile City (Decision 41 COM 7A.22)
    • United Republic of Tanzania, Selous Game Reserve (Decision 41 COM 7A.17)
    • United States of America, Everglades National Park (Decision 41 COM 7A.1)
    • Uzbekistan, Historic Centre of Shakhrisyabz (Decision 41 COM 7A.57)
    • Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of), Coro and its Port (Decision 41 COM 7A.27)
    • Yemen, Historic Town of Zabid (Decision 41 COM 7A.51)
    • Yemen, Old City of Sana’a (Decision 41 COM 7A.52)
    • Yemen, Old Walled City of Shibam (Decision 41 COM 7A.53)
      Read more
      Draft Decision: 41 COM 7A.55

      The World Heritage Committee,

      1. Having examined Document WHC/17/41.COM/7A.Add,
      2. Recalling Decision 40 COM 7A.27 adopted at its 40th session (Istanbul/UNESCO, 2016),
      3. Notes with regret that the State Party has neither adopted the detailed topographic map of the property produced in 2012, nor submitted a proposal for a minor boundary modification, and reiterates its request to the State Party to adopt the 2012 topographic map of the property and to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2018, a proposal for a minor boundary modification, in accordance with Paragraphs 163-165 of the Operational Guidelines, for review by ICOMOS;
      4. Regrets that the State Party has not carried out any conservation work at the site since 2012;
      5. Urges the State Party to approve the Conservation Action Plan, which was established as an outcome of the Emergency International Assistance granted from the World Heritage Fund, along with the necessary financial resources, and to start implementing this Action Plan as soon as possible;
      6. Also urges the State Party, as a matter of urgency, to address the two issues that have been reported as urgent for several years already:
        1. The installation of a monitoring instrument on the Minaret of Jam to measure its inclination, and
        2. The emergency stabilization work for the wooden staircases, in order to prevent further destabilization of the Minaret’s structure;
      7. Requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2018, the detailed Conservation Action Plan along with details on the means allocated towards its implementation, including any financial measure;
      8. Also requests the State Party to construct a footbridge over the Hari Rud River and a guesthouse at the property, in order to improve access to the property and site security, which the State Party itself has highlighted as urgent for a number of years;
      9. Calls upon the international community to provide technical and financial support, in co-operation with the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies, for the implementation of above-mentioned Action Plan, which will be part of a strategy to implement the corrective measures adopted by the World Heritage Committee at its 31st session (Christchurch, 2007);
      10. Further requests the State Party to revise the timeframe for the implementation of the corrective measures and to submit it to the World Heritage Centre by 1 February 2018;
      11. Requests furthermore the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2018, an update report on the state of conservation of the property and the implementation of the above, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 42nd session in 2018;
      12. Decides to retain the Minaret and Archaeological Remains of Jam (Afghanistan) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
      Previous 2016 Next 2018
      Report year: 2017
      Afghanistan
      Date of Inscription: 2002
      Category: Cultural
      Criteria: (ii)(iii)(iv)
      Danger List (dates): 2002-present
      Documents examined by the Committee
      WHC/17/41.COM/7A.Add
      SOC Report by the State Party
      Report (2017) .pdf
      arrow_circle_right 41COM (2017)
      Exports
      Previous 2016 Next 2018

      * : 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.


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