Historical Monuments at Makli, Thatta

a) Significant decay of the property caused by local climatic conditions and alluvial erosion;

b) Stability of the foundations (earth mechanics) of the Jam Nizamuddin tomb;

c) Lack of definition of boundaries of the property and buffer zone of the necropolis;

d) Lack of monitoring.

The property was listed on the 100 Most Endangered Sites of the World Monuments Watch List in 2005 due to significant decay resulting from harsh climatic conditions and topsoil erosion caused by the shifting riverbed. A joint World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS reactive monitoring mission was undertaken to the property in November-December 2006. The mission identified a series of general and specific recommendations which the World Heritage Committee requested the State Party to implement (Decision 31 COM 7B.85).

The State Party submitted a state of conservation report to the World Heritage Centre on 27 January 2009. The report details progress on the implementation of the recommendations as follows:

a) Urgently identify the boundaries of the property and buffer zone of the necropolis

The necessary work for defining the boundaries of the property and buffer zone, including topographic steatite imaging and archaeological work, is awaiting approval from the Government as part of the overall Master Plan.

b) Adjust the strategy from a one-monument concept to a serial-site strategy (cluster of many individual tombs) with individual registration and evaluation of each tomb including their historic value, state of conservation, and an individual treatment plan

No specific information was provided in the State Party report.

c) Work out a monitoring programme in association with the treatment plan

No specific information was provided in the State Party report.

d) Further develop the site management plan

The Department of Archaeology and Museums (DOAM) has prepared a comprehensive Master Plan for the conservation and preservation of the Makli Hill Monuments at Thatta, which includes immediate-, medium- and long-term conservation and management plans for the property. The Master Plan is awaiting approval from the relevant authorities and the State Party indicates that it will be immediately implemented during the current financial year after it has been approved.

e) Further develop the didactic concept and documentation

Documentation of the structures within the property is ongoing, with the DOAM photographing and drawing monuments, and reviewing archive material. Once the Master Plan has been approved the DOAM intends to establish a documentation centre. Signage and interpretive boards have been installed at each monument for visitors.

f) Further develop capacity building

Capacity building will be facilitated through the documentation centre once this has been approved and established. The State Party notes its concern about the lack of funding available to carry out conservation work at the property.

g) As a matter of urgency, carry out soil investigations to determine the stability of the subsoil and the foundations of the tomb of Jam Nizamuddin

The State Party has recently applied for Emergency Assistance under the World Heritage Fund, to undertake preservation and stabilization work at Jam Nizamuddin’s tomb. It has resubmitted a revised application document, which was received by the World Heritage Centre on 11 February 2009 for an amount of USD 28,200.

h) Prepare a condition report for all other monuments and tombs and establish a prioritized emergency intervention plan

No specific information was provided in the State Party report.

i) Set up a weather station for data collection for monitoring the property

No specific information was provided in the State Party report.

j) Request a name change of the property to adequately reflect its Outstanding Universal Value

The State Party requested a name change for the property to “Historical Monuments at Makli, Thatta”. This request will be examined by the World Heritage Committee under Item 8 of the Agenda (Document WHC-09/33.COM/8B).

The World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies note the ongoing conservation work being undertaken at the property including the documentation of monuments and tombs, repair work and the installation of interpretive signs and boards. However, they are concerned about the overall lack of progress in the development of a) overall monitoring programme, b) management plan, c) condition report for all monuments and tombs, d) prioritized emergency intervention plan, and e) identification of the boundaries of the property and its buffer zone.

The World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies note however that a majority of the proposed conservation work at the property is dependant on the approval and implementation of the Master Plan. In the framework of the forthcoming periodic reporting exercise for the Asia Pacific region, the World Heritage Centre and Advisory Bodies will provide assistance to the State Party to formulate a Statement of Outstanding Universal Value for the property.