Ancient Ksour of Ouadane, Chinguetti, Tichitt and Oualata
Factors affecting the property in 2013*
- Desertification
- Financial resources
- Governance
- Human resources
- Identity, social cohesion, changes in local population and community
- Impacts of tourism / visitor / recreation
- Legal framework
- Management activities
- Management systems/ management plan
Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports
- Socio-economic and climatic changes;
- Gradual abandonment of the towns;
- Transformations made to houses affecting their authenticity;
- Tourism pressure;
- No technical conservation capacities;
- No management mechanism (including legal);
- Lack of human and financial resources;
- Weak institutional coordination.
UNESCO Extra-Budgetary Funds until 2013
Total amount granted: USD 44,166 in the framework of the France-UNESCO Convention; USD 40,860 for the supervision of the World Bank/Mauritanian Government/UNESCO tripartite project (USD 1,245,000).
International Assistance: requests for the property until 2013
Total amount approved : 139,632 USD
| 2010 | Sauvegarde urgente du Ksar de Tichitt (anciens Ksour de ... (Approved) | 20,000 USD |
| 2001 |
Realisation of preliminary Management plans for the ...
(Approved)
Reapproval: 29 Jun, 2002 (n°1501 - 20,000 USD)
|
20,000 USD |
| 2001 | Installation of Plaques and Publication of Leaflets to ... (Approved) | 5,000 USD |
| 2000 | Restoration of the site of Tichitt (Approved) | 6,000 USD |
| 2000 | Architectural models of the ancient cities in ... (Approved) | 5,000 USD |
| 1999 | Stabilitation of the sands surrounding the site of ... (Approved) | 20,000 USD |
| 1998 | Conservation of the Minaret of the Oasis of Ouadane (Approved) | 50,000 USD |
| 1995 | Preparation of tentative list and of the nomination ... (Approved) | 13,632 USD |
Missions to the property until 2013**
April 2001: World Heritage Centre; 2002-2004: six World Heritage Centre missions in the framework of the World Bank project; December 2006: France-UNESCO mission and joint World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS reactive monitoring mission.
Conservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 2013
On 30 December 2012, the State Party submitted the state of conservation report requested by the World Heritage Committee at its 36th session in 2012. This report indicates that in general the ksour have not undergone much change affecting in a significant way the state of conservation of the property, that can be considered as satisfactory. Information is provided below for each ksar:
a) At Chinguetti, the silting problem persists;
b) At Ouadane, the destruction of some parts due to heavy rain as well as the use of cement, paint and the installation of ventilation windows have a visual impact on the town;
c) At Tichitt, the multiplication of new cement constructions outside the listed area as well as the introduction of power lines and the development of gas kitchens detract in some places from the original harmony of the area;
d) At Oualata, although silting remains the primary factor affecting the site, especially around the mosque, in comparison to the other ksour, the state of conservation is the most satisfactory of all.
The State Party has not transmitted the technical report on the restoration of the Tichitt Mosque requested by the World Heritage Committee at its 36th session. Nor has it transmitted the progress report on the preparation of the management plan undertaken by the National Foundation for the Ancient Towns.
However, the report indicates significant progress in the implementation of the recommendations of the World Heritage Committee such as the establishment of a financial fund and the national conservation programme, and the enhancement of the cultural and natural heritage of the Ancient Towns and various awareness raising activities, including the Annual Festival of the Ancient Towns.
Analysis and Conclusion by World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies in 2013
With regard to the implementation of Decision 36 COM 7B.56, the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies are satisfied with the establishment of the national conservation programme and the enhancement of the cultural and natural heritage of the ksour, as well as the creation of a fund for safeguarding operations. However, it is with regret that they note that the State Party had not provided details on progress achieved in the setting up of legal protection measures and the preparation of the Management Plan. The World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies recommend that the Committee takes note the important efforts accomplished by the State Party.
Summary of the interventions
Decisions adopted by the Committee in 2013
37 COM 7B.55
Ancient Ksour of Ouadane, Chinguetti, Tichitt and Oualata (Mauritania) (C 750)
The World Heritage Committee,
1. Having examined Document WHC-13/37.COM/7B,
2. Recalling Decision 36 COM 7B.56 , adopted at its 36th session (Saint-Petersburg, 2012),
3. Takes note of the establishment of the national conservation programme and the enhancement of the cultural and natural heritage of the Ancient Towns and the creation of a fund to finance all the conservation activities and enhancement of the property,
4. Also notes the progress achieved by the State Party in the implementation of some of its recommendations;
5. Reiterates its request to the State Party to transmit to the World Heritage Centre a technical report on the restoration of the Tichitt Mosque and details of its conservation projects for the Town;
6. Encourages the State Party to pursue its action in directly involving the local populations in the sustainable management of the ksour;
7. Urges the State Party to complete the Management and Conservation Plan of the property, through an International Assistance request, If need be;
8. Requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre by 1 February 2015 , an updated report on the implementation of the above points.
Draft Decision: 37 COM 7B.55
The World Heritage Committee,
1. Having examined Document WHC-13/37.COM/7B,
2. Recalling Decision 36 COM 7B.56, adopted at its 36th session (Saint-Petersburg, 2012),
3. Takes note of the establishment of the national conservation programme and the enhancement of the cultural and natural heritage of the Ancient Towns and the creation of a fund to finance all the conservation activities and enhancement of the property,
4. Also notes the progress achieved by the State Party in the implementation of some of its recommendations;
5. Reiterates its request to the State Party to transmit to the World Heritage Centre a technical report on the restoration of the Tichitt Mosque and details of its conservation projects for the Town;
6. Encourages the State Party to pursue its action in directly involving the local populations in the sustainable management of the ksour;
7. Urges the State Party to complete the Management and Conservation Plan of the property, through an International Assistance request, If need be;
8. Requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre by 1 February 2015, an updated report on the implementation of the above points.
MauritaniaExports
* :
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.
