The World Heritage Committee,
1. Having examined Document WHC-08/32.COM/7B,
2. Recalling Decision 31 COM 7B.72, adopted at its 31st session (Christchurch, 2007),
3. Takes note with satisfaction of the fact that the proposed construction of the Yamato-Kita Road will not impact negatively on the Outstanding Universal Value and integrity of the property;
4. Recommends to the State Party, however, to further develop and establish at the property the appropriate groundwater monitoring systems and risk mitigation plans, in order to be able to prevent any unwanted fluctuation of groundwater levels in case of unexpected contingencies;
5. Also takes note with satisfaction that the revised plan for the 1300th Anniversary of Nara has been reduced in scope and, at present, does not involve any new reconstruction project;
6. Also recommends that the State Party ensures, when preparing the detailed designs for the celebrations for the 1300th Anniversary of Nara, that the appropriate measures are taken to ensure that no damage is caused to the buried archaeological relics within the Nara palace site and its surroundings;
7. Requests the State Party to confirm whether or not any new reconstruction project is being planned at the property, in addition to that for the Former Imperial Audience Hall, and, if in the affirmative, to provide detailed information thereupon;
8. Also requests the State Party to clarify whether any change is being envisaged regarding the legal and institutional framework of the Nara Palace site, and to elaborate on the possible implications of this change for the management and conservation of the site as part of the World Heritage property;
9. Further requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2009, a report including information on the points above, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 33rd session in 2009