State of Conservation (SOC)
Butrint (2007)
UNESCO Extra-Budgetary Funds
International Assistance granted to the property
Requests Approved: 0
(from1996-1997)
Total Amount Ap proved: 106,000USD
| 1997 | Butrint | 100,000 USD |
| 1996 | Technical assistance for the restoration of Butrint | 6,000 USD |
Missions**
1997 UNESCO-WHC/ICOMOS/Butrint Foundation mission; 2001 UNESCO-WHC/ICOMOS mission; 2003 UNESCO-WHC/ICOMOS mission; 2005 UNESCO-WHC/ICOMOS/ICCROM mission.
Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports
a) Looting of the Museum of Butrint in 1997
b) lack of adequate protectionmanagement, and conservation of the site
c) Lack of management mechanisms and tourism pressure
d) Poor state of conservation of the property
e) Insufficient implementation of the recommendations of the joint missions;
Corrective Measures
Current conservation issues
On 31 January 2007 the World Heritage Centre received from the State Party a detailed implementation report on the state of conservation of the World Heritage property and a copy of the updated management plan 2007-2012. The State Party also provided the World Heritage Centre with a map of the new proposed boundaries of the site, the relevant governmental decree on the new boundaries andthe management zone description.
The joint UNESCO-WHC/ICOMOS/ICCROM mission requested by the Committee was sent to Albania from 17 to 21 April 2007. The detailed mission report is available at the following Web address: http://whc.unesco.org/archive/2007.
The mission considered that there is considerable improvement in the management of the property. However the participatory approach recommended for the updating of the management plan has not been taken into account. While emphasising the need to update the Management plan, the mission made a series of specific recommendations with a view to ensuring an effective protection of the site and the sustainability of its development. These specific recommendations included:
a) continue to work on the restitution of looted objects in cooperation with the 1970 Convention and ICOM;
b) complete the studies on flooding and implement recommendations;
c) continue to improve infrastructure and visitor parking;
d) enhance capacity building for rangers;
e) control development around the property;
f) improve interpretation panels and
g) enhance international cooperation.
Conclusion
Decision
31COM7B.92
Link to the decision
The World Heritage Committee,
1. Having examined Document WHC-07/31.COM/7B.Add,
2. Recalling Decisions 29 COM 7A.27 and 30 COM 7B.75, adopted respectively at its 29th (Durban, 2005) and 30th (Vilnius, 2006) sessions,
3. Notes the up-dated report and the document “Management Plan 2007-2012” provided by the State Party and the results of the joint UNESCO-World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS/ICCROM reactive monitoring mission of April 2007 and requests the Management Plan be completed to include proper plans for implementation;
4. Acknowledges the considerable efforts by the State Party to contribute to the improvements of the state of conservation of the property and its legal protection;
5. Endorses the recommendations made by the UNESCO-World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS/ICCROM mission of April 2007 and calls upon the State Party to give appropriate attention to their timely implementation;
6. Requests the State Party:
a) to ensure that a draft of the completed management and conservation plan of the area is submitted to the World Heritage Centre for review together with an interim report not later than by the end of 2008,
b) to take all necessary measures to prevent any illegal developments or inappropriate construction and uncontrolled growth within the proposed new boundaries, its buffer zone and the vicinity by closely collaborating with other relevant planning and development agencies.
7. Also requests the State Party to provide the World Heritage Centre with a detailed implementation report on the issues addressed by the April 2007 joint mission, by 1 February 2009 for examination by its 33rd session in 2009.
31COM8B.60
Link to the decision
The World Heritage Committee,
1. Having examined Documents WHC-07/31.COM/8B.Add and WHC-07/31.COM/INF.8B1.Add,
2. Approves the Butrint National Park as a buffer zone for Butrint, Albania;
3. Requests the State Party to provide documentation on the formal gazetting of the enlarged National Park.
Draft Decision: 31 COM 7B.92
The World Heritage Committee,
1. Having examined Document WHC-07/31.COM/7B.Add,
2. Recalling Decisions 29 COM 7A.27 and 30 COM 7B.75, adopted respectively at its 29th (Durban, 2005) and 30th (Vilnius, 2006) sessions,
3. Notes the up-dated report and the document “Management Plan 2007-2012” provided by the State Party and the results of the joint UNESCO-WHC/ICOMOS/ICCROM reactive monitoring mission of April 2007 and requests the Management Plan be completed to include proper plans for implementation;
4. Acknowledges the considerable efforts by the State Party to contribute to the improvements of the state of conservation of the property and its legal protection;
5. Endorses the recommendations made by the UNESCO-WHC/ICOMOS/ICCROM mission of April 2007 and calls upon the State Party to give appropriate attention to their timely implementation;
6. Requests the State Party:
a) to ensure that a draft of the completed management and conservation plan of the area is submitted to the World Heritage Centre for review together with an interim report not later than by the end of 2008,
b) to take all necessary measures to prevent any illegal developments or inappropriate construction and uncontrolled growth within the proposed new boundaries, its buffer zone and the vicinity by closely collaborating with other relevant planning and development agencies.
7. Also requests the State Party to provide the World Heritage Centre with a detailed implementation report on the issues addressed by the April 2007 joint mission, by 1 February 2009 for examination by its 33rd session in 2009.
AlbaniaExports
Word File Threats*
- Illegal activities
- Management systems/ management plan
- Other Threats:
a) lack of adequate protection management, and conservation of the site b) Poor state of conservation of the propert
Documents
WHC-07/31.COM/7B.AddOther Documents:
View inscribed site documents, nomination file, reports, decisions, ...SOC ID: 1087
Inscription on the Danger List
Year: 1997 -2005Threats to the Site:
The civil disturbances in the country in early 1997 did not cause any irreversible damage to the archaeological site itself, but the showcases of the museum were opened and looted. No inventory of the stolen objects has yet been made, but fortunately the site's most famous treasure, the marble head of the 2nd-century BC “Goddess of Butrint” had been moved to Tirana before the event.
The Committee's concern over the continued lack of adequate protection, management, and conservation of the site led to its inscription on the List of World Heritage in Danger in 1997 with the full support of the Minister of Culture of Albania who voiced his government's concern and commitment to the preservation of the site.
A joint mission to Butrint in October 1997 had noted that the site remains vulnerable for a number of reasons, including the lack of proper fencing. Two water pumps used to preserve the ancient theatre from infiltration had been stolen earlier that year and had to be replaced. Computers and other equipment were also needed to prepare an inventory, and other urgent needs had to be met.
The Committee allocated an amount of US$100,000 as emergency assistance in December 1997.
* :
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.
