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Chan Chan Archaeological Zone

Peru
Factors affecting the property in 2003*
  • Identity, social cohesion, changes in local population and community
  • Land conversion
  • Legal framework
  • Management systems/ management plan
  • Storms
  • Water (rain/water table)
  • Other Threats:

    Fragility of the abdobe structures

Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports
  • Fragility of its adobe structures
  • Occupation of land by farmers
  • Need of a management plan
International Assistance: requests for the property until 2003
Requests approved: 5 (from 1987-1998)
Total amount approved : 118,700 USD
Missions to the property until 2003**

2002: World Heritage Centre mission to the site

Conservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 2003

WHC:

The State Party did not transmit the requested report. However, it transmitted the Section II of the Periodical Report, which includes updated information on the legal actions foreseen. The draft legislation, which declares the site of Chan-Chan in state of emergency and offers a solution to re-settle the farmers, is still pending (Draft Legislation n° 3807). It includes a redefinition of the limits of the site.  Financial problems obliged the State Party to postpone the implementation of the actions foreseen under the management plan. In addition, the Secretariat received on 4 April 2003, updated information on the last results of the ongoing research and the measures that need to be taken in the near future to avoid further structural damage.

El Niño, as well as the rise of the groundwater level, are damaging the basis of the structures (huanchaques). The November 2000 monitoring results of the 68 wells showed a slight rise of the water level. Since August 2002, a progressive rise of the water has been registered, and it increased in January 2003 by 60% in comparison with December 2002, reaching alarming levels. This phenomenon is due to: - the 1998-99 Niño; - the change in the irrigation technology for extensive mono-cultures in the area; - the reduction by 46% of the use of water, as the local population now obtains the water from a new system provided by the Chavimochic Plan. The following actions require urgent attention: the completion of the topographical registration of the site and national and international co-operation to assist in halting – with lasting solutions – of the rise in the water level. During a World Heritage Centre mission to the site, the site manager requested an international workshop to address this matter. 

Decisions adopted by the Committee in 2003
27 COM 7A.28
Chan Chan Archaeological Zone (Peru)

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Taking note of the measures and the studies undertaken by the State Party to protect the property,;

2. Commending the State Party for the efforts made to monitor the water level;

3. Urges the State Party to adopt the draft legislation foreseen;

4. Strongly recommends that the State Party defines the limits of the property in order to avoid further encroachment;

5. Recommends that the State Party reviews the system of water canalisation, water distribution and considers requesting international assistance under the World Heritage Fund to identify the appropriate remedial measures; 

6. Requests the State Party to submit a report to the World Heritage Centre by 1 February 2004, on the progress made in implementing the above-mentioned measures, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 28th session in 2004;

7. Decides to retain the property on the List of World Heritage in Danger.

27 COM 8B.2
Properties maintained on the List of World Heritage in Danger

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Following examination of state of conservation reports of properties on the List of World Heritage in Danger (WHC-03/27.COM/7A),;

2. Decides to maintain the following properties on the List of World Heritage in Danger:

  • Minaret and Archaeological Remains of Jam, Afghanistan (27 COM 7A.21)
  • Butrint, Albania (27 COM 7A.26 )
  • Tipasa, Algeria (27 COM 7A.17)
  • Royal Palaces of Abomey, Benin (27 COM 7A.15)
  • Angkor, Cambodia (27 COM 7A.22)
  • Manovo-Gounda St. Floris National Park, Central African Republic (27 COM 7A.12 )
  • Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve, Côte d'Ivoire/Guinea (27 COM 7A.4)
  • Virunga National Park, Democratic Republic of the Congo (27 COM 7A.2)
  • Garamba National Park, Democratic Republic of the Congo (27 COM 7A.2)
  • Kahuzi-Biega National Park, Democratic Republic of the Congo (27 COM 7A.2)
  • Okapi Wildlife Reserve, Democratic Republic of the Congo (27 COM 7A.2) 
  • Salonga National Park, Democratic Republic of the Congo (27 COM 7A.2)
  • Sangay National Park, Ecuador (27 COM 7A.13)
  • Abu Mena, Egypt (27 COM 7A.18)
  • Simien National Park, Ethiopia (27 COM 7A.3)
  • Rio Platano Biosphere Reserve, Honduras (27 COM 7A.14)
  • Manas Wildlife Sanctuary, India (27 COM 7A.9)
  • Group of Monuments at Hampi, India (27 COM 7A.23)
  • Old City of Jerusalem & its Walls (27COM7A.29)
  • Timbuktu, Mali (27 COM 7A.16)
  • Air & Ténéré Natural Reserves, Niger (27 COM 7A.5)
  • Bahla Fort, Oman (27 COM 7A.19)
  • Fort and Shalamar Gardens in Lahore, Pakistan (27 COM 7A.242)
  • Chan Chan Archaeological Zone, Peru (27 COM 7A.28)
  • Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras, Philippines (27 COM 7A.25)
  • Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary, Senegal (27 COM 7A.6)
  • Ichkeul National Park, Tunisia (27 COM 7A.8)
  • Rwenzori Mountains National Park, Uganda (27 COM 7A.7) 
  • Everglades National Park, United States of America (27 COM 7A.11)
  • Historic Town of Zabid, Yemen (27 COM 7A.20)

Draft 27 COM 7 (a) 28

 

The World Heritage Committee,

1.Takes note of the measures and the studies undertaken by the State Party to protect the site;

2. Commends the State Party for the efforts made to monitor the water level;

3. Urges the State Party to adopt the draft legislation foreseen;

4. Strongly recommends that the State Party define the limits of the site in order to avoid further encroachment;

5.Recommends that the State Party review the system of water canalisation, water distribution and consider requesting international assistance under the World Heritage Fund to identify the appropriate remedial measures;

6. Requests the State Party to submit, by 1 April 2004, a report on the progress made in implementing the above-mentioned corrective measures, for examination by the Committee at its 28th session; 

7. Decides to retain the site on the List of World Heritage in Danger. 

Report year: 2003
Peru
Date of Inscription: 1986
Category: Cultural
Criteria: (i)(iii)
Danger List (dates): 1986-present
Documents examined by the Committee
arrow_circle_right 27COM (2003)
Exports

* : 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.