Decision 41 COM 8B.9

Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Valley: originary habitat of Mesoamerica (Mexico)

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Having examined Documents WHC/17/41.COM/8B, WHC/17/41.COM/INF.8B1 and WHC/17/41.COM/INF.8B2,
2. Refers the mixed nomination of Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Valley: originary habitat of Mesoamerica, Mexico, back to the State Party, in order to clarify:
   1. In relation to cultural criteria, a revised approach focusing on the chronological development of the property, starting with the prehistorical sites, preclassical villages, classical cities, postclassical kingdoms, and early colonial settlements, based on irrigated agriculture; associated industries, techniques and practices; and aspects of ancestral religious expressions that emphasise the cultural dimension of the nominated property,
   2. Regarding the natural criterion, clarify and clearly demonstrate that all natural attributes contributing to the potential Outstanding Universal Value are included within the serial components and boundaries of the nominated property within Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Biosphere Reserve;
3. Recommends that the State Party give additional consideration to the following:
   1. Undertake an augmented comparative analysis of sites with evidence for irrigation within Mesoamerica to justify the complexity of the systems compared to others,
   2. Consider including criterion (ix) in a revised nomination, in view of the global ecological significance of the region within which the nominated property is located,
   3. Finalise the specific plan for the management and protection of the archaeological sites within the nominated property, and link it to the Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Biosphere Reserve Management Programme to cover the conservation aspects of archaeological sites in their natural context,
   4. Provide evidence of institutional coordination for sustainable funding and appropriately skilled staff for holistic, integrated management of natural and cultural heritage values within the nominated property; and strengthen the overall human and financial resources for management of cultural assets within the Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Biosphere Reserve,
   5. Develop a visitor management strategy for the nominated property that is based on a holistic approach;
4. Encourages the State Party to expedite its plans to update the Nature Tourism Strategy for the Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Biosphere Reserve (2010-2015) to improve visitor management strategies including defining carrying capacities; to identify suitable private-sector tourism partners; to define appropriate tourism infrastructure; and to build sustainable development capacities of local communities and other sectors to handle increasing tourism interest in the nominated property;
5. Also encourages the State Party to refine the governance structure of the nominated property to involve more effective participation of local communities in co-management and decision-making, and ensure the economic needs and sustainable development aspirations of these communities are appropriately addressed.