Chan Chan Archaeological Zone

• Identity, social cohesion, changes in local population and community
• Illegal activities
• Management systems/management plan
• Water (rain/water table)
• Continuous deterioration of earthen architecture structures and decorated surfaces from lack of conservation and maintenance practices
• Illegal occupation of the property
• Unregulated farming activities
• Rising water table levels
• Delay in implementing protective measures (legislation and regulations already passed by the National Authorities)

• Fragile state of conservation of earthen structures and decorated surfaces due to extreme climatic conditions (El Niño phenomenon) and other environmental factors
• Inadequate management system in place
• Insufficient capacity and resources for the implementation of conservation measures
• Increase in the levels of the phreatic water table

Adopted, see page https://whc.unesco.org/en/decisions/4647

 Adopted, see page https://whc.unesco.org/en/decisions/4647

On 24 January 2018, the State Party submitted a state of conservation report, an executive summary of which is available at http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/366/documents/, which addresses the three main issues that the Committee identified in its earlier decisions as follows:

• The updated Master Plan for the Conservation and Management of Chan Chan Archaeological Complex has been approved by all technical departments of the Ministry of Culture and the issuing of the final ministerial approval is in process;
• The formal delimitation of the buffer zone and elaboration of its regulatory measures are still pending the response of the management office of the Trujillo Provincial Municipality’s Urban Development Plan;
• Several observations were made by the Presidency of the Council of Ministers on the feasibility of the implementation of the draft regulations for Law 28261, which will address the issue of illegal occupations. In response, on 18 December 2017, the Minister of Culture established a Task Force that will report on the feasibility of the law within 140 days of this date.

Furthermore, the State Party reports on the implementation of the corrective measures as follows:

• Public Investment Projects (PIPs) implemented in 2017 included research, conservation and enhancement, with recovery and restoration works in Huaca Toledo, Chayhuac An walled complex, Martinez de Compañón complex and Utzh An walled complex;
• The Pan-American Conservation Centre for Earthen Heritage Sites (PCCEHS) implemented an extensive research programme, through the Earthen Architecture Laboratory, in order to improve the quality control of materials that are used in conservation interventions. The programme is aimed at the investigation of materials and techniques of constructions, located in different sectors of the heritage complex. Other activities carried out included the monitoring of weather conditions, gathering documentation, mapping projects and training programmes to improve the capacities of those in charge of physical and virtual documentation;
• Awareness-raising activities included educational programmes for the neighbouring community, including students, teachers and administrative staff of educational institutions and associations surrounding the property (benefitting more than 5,000 participants in 2017), in addition to the promotion of traditions and historical knowledge (including training on the manufacturing of traditional boats - caballitos de totora);
• Implementation of actions related to the existing Master Plan continued, including public use, risk management and museum development activities, as well as control of illegal occupation, encroachment, and urban pressure;
• Adequate financial resources for the approval and implementation of PIPs in 2017 were allocated, amounting to more than 11 million soles.

The State Party should be commended on the numerous activities that were implemented in 2017, and the considerable resources that were made available for the conservation and management of the property. This shows the high commitment of the State Party towards the implementation and provision of financial resources for the programme of corrective measures.

Particular mention should be made of the PIPs, which provide important financial support for research, aimed at conservation and enhancement programmes for recovery and restoration works in the complex. The research and monitoring activities of the PCCEHS are particularly relevant in monitoring weather conditions and their impacts on the earthen architecture, and determining best materials and conservation practices to be implemented in the heritage complex. The application of new technologies in mapping and documentation, such as the use of drones, is commendable.

The outreach programmes for educational institutions and the involvement of surrounding populations are  welcomed, in order to reinforce the cultural appropriation of the values that sustain the OUV of the property, such as the undertaking of workshops by the artisans that build the totora boats, establishing a direct link with nearby villages, including Huanchaco, where fishermen used the rafts on a daily basis.

It should be noted however that no substantial progress has been made in the implementation of the three main issues that the Committee identified in its Decision 41 COM 7A.26, namely:

• Adoption of the revised Master Plan, which is pending formal approval by the Minister of Culture;
• Delimitation and regulation of the buffer zone, which has been awaiting the response of the management office of the Trujillo Provincial Municipality’s Urban Development Plan since April 2016;
• Approval of regulations for Law 28261 regarding illegal occupations, which is now pending the results of the Task Force that will study the feasibility of their implementation.

These are essential components of the programme of corrective measures that have been awaiting implementation for many years. Without them, the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR) cannot be achieved. It is therefore recommended that the Committee urge again the State Party to proceed with these issues as a matter of extreme urgency. Without a conclusion of these matters and proof of their effectiveness, the Committee will not be able to assess to what extent the DSOCR, as defined in its Decision 36 COM 7A.34, has been reached.

It is also recommended that the Committee request the State Party to include in its next state of conservation report an assessment of the level of implementation and the effectiveness of all corrective measures, as adopted in Decision 36 COM 7A.34.