On 24 January 2010, the State Party submitted a very full and detailed report on the state of conservation of each ksar. This report indicates that in general the ksour have not undergone any change greatly affecting the state of conservation of the property and that in the opinion of the State Party, the state of conservation is satisfactory. Information is provided hereunder for each ksar evoking also certain specific problems to be monitored regularly.
a) At Chinguetti, a problem of silting;
b) At Ouadane, use of cement, paint and installation of ventilation windows, visible water pipes, as well as the reinstallation of the Mauritel antenna in an open area, are all new phenomena having a visual impact on the town;
c) At Tichitt, the introduction of power lines and the development of gas kitchens, as well as the problem of the conservation of the minaret of the mosque;
d) At Oualata, the proliferation of power lines, the installation of parabolic antennas and decaying rubbish.
The report stipulated that several measures aimed at strengthening the conservation of the ksour have been undertaken by the State Party, notably:
a) Reinforcing the action of the National Foundation for the Safeguarding of the Ancient Towns (FNSVA) through the establishment of a Public Fund to finance different conservation operations and the enhancement of the ksour;
b) Training for the local conservation services in treatment techniques for manuscripts;
c) Preparation of the Management Plan for the ksour;
d) Preparation of the restoration of the minaret and of the Tichitt Mosque. The report indicates that the formalities and the tender for the execution of the work are nearing completion.
Moreover, the State Party recommends the implementation of several actions for the increased reinforcement of the property’s conservation, such as:
e) An awareness raising campaign targeted at local populations;
f) Training of personnel from the local conservation services on conservation techniques for the built environment;
g) Strengthening of the sub-regional exchanges initiated during the Periodic Report;
h) Development and implementation of the Management Plan for the property.
Concerning the implementation of Decision 31 COM 7B.64, the report notes in particular:
i) Decree N° 2009-246 of 16 December 2009, defining the organizational, management and operational regulations of the Fund for the urban and built rehabilitation of the Ancient Towns. This Fund aims at financing all the safeguarding and conservation activities for the property. In particular, it will serve for the implementation of the Management Plan.
j) A law for the protection of the different types of cultural heritage is under preparation. Its main objective is to fill the gaps and/or imprecisions noted in Law 46-2005, concerning the protection of cultural heritage.
k) Local conservation services have been established in the different ksour and the Management Plan is under preparation and shall be submitted to UNESCO for support and approval very shortly.
l) A training programme for the personnel of the local conservation services has been approved: it will be submitted to UNESCO for support and approval.
The World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies note with satisfaction the progress achieved by the State Party in the implementation of the recommendations of the World Heritage Committee. They recall the importance of developing the Management Plan to coordinate all the projects in the property and guarantee the implementation of existing regulations. It is also essential to ensure the financial, human and technical resources for an operational management system for the property. The World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies also recall the possibility for the State Party to submit an International Assistance Request to facilitate the pursuit of the work already begun.
