Fort and Shalamar Gardens in Lahore

New information:  In 1997, a request for Technical Co-oporation was submitted by the Pakistan authorities for the “development of Shalamar Gardens”, which aimed at restoring the gardens to the original Mughal pattern by removing the plantations and additions of the latest period. However, as the request did not address urgent conservation problems of the gardens and its monuments, a mission by an ICOMOS expert was organized by the World Heritage Centre in October-November 1998 to assess repair needs, to report on the state of conservation of the gardens and landscape, and to make recommendations for future action following international conservation norms. An evaluation of the Master Plan for the Preservation and Restoration of Shalamar Gardens Lahore (April 1998) was also undertaken.

Despite the commendable efforts made by the responsible authorities within their limited financial resources, the ICOMOS expert reported on the general state of disrepair of the structural components and buildings of the Shalamar Gardens. The expert noted with concern that due to the recent development around the gardens, inner and outer ground levels differ, resulting in damage to the peripheral walls caused by moisture and efflorescence. The deterioration of the water channels of the fountains is leading to water leakage, and the Gardens on the three terraces no longer have the historical layout nor the greenery of the Mughal period. The mission made 17 recommendations, which were presented to the authorities of Pakistan in February 1999.

A follow-up mission was undertaken by a World Heritage Centre staff member in March 1999, to assist the authorities of Pakistan in submitting a request for international assistance to address recommendations made by the ICOMOS expert. During the mission, the authorities of Pakistan adopted all 17 recommendations and a request for preparatory assistance was formulated addressing five of the 17 recommendations. However, this request has not been officially submitted by the authorities of Pakistan to date.

During the World Heritage Centre staff mission, the state of conservation of the Fort of Lahore was also examined. The mission expressed concern about the lack of an overall Management Plan and the use of non-traditional building material for the restoration of the various monuments composing Lahore Fort. In view of the large number of visitors to the site, an urgent need for a Master Plan for enhanced management was identified.

The Pakistan authorities brought the attention of the mission to the alarming deterioration of the Shish Mahal Pavilion’s Mirror Hall ceiling, where the convex mirror glass is cracking away from the carved stucco ceiling, and urgently requested international expert advice. An ICCROM reactive monitoring mission is expected to take place in May 1999 to assist the authorities in addressing the problems of structural stability of Shish Mahal and for appropriate conservation methodology for the ceiling. A report will be presented by ICCROM during the twenty-third session of the Bureau.

The Bureau, upon examining the report of the ICOMOS expert and the World Heritage Centre, recommends the authorities of Pakistan to submit a request for international assistance for adequate protection of the Shalamar Gardens without further delay. The Bureau requests the relevant authorities of Pakistan to examine the possibility of formulating a plan for lowering the ground level immediately surrounding the peripheral walls of the Shalamar Gardens to its original level before recent additions.

The Bureau requests the World Heritage Centre to assist the authorities of Pakistan in requesting international assistance for formulating a Master Plan for enhanced management of Lahore Fort.

Previous deliberations:

World Heritage Bureau, twenty-second extraordinary session - Chapter

World Heritage Bureau, twenty-third session – Chapter IV.72

New information:(For Fort and Shalamar Gardens of Lahore and Taxila Archaeological Remains) 

Following the decisions of the Bureau at its twenty-third session, a mission was undertaken by a World Heritage Centre staff to Lahore and Karachi between 12 – 15 October 1999. At the time of the preparation of this document, consultations were being held with representatives of the Department of Archaeology and Museums and members of the National Technical Committee for the Preservation of the Shish Mahal, Lahore Fort. Political disturbance and change in Government during the midst of the mission may render necessary, another reactive monitoring mission when the new authorities responsible for decisions concerning the newly constructed football stadium at Bhir Mound in Taxila and those for the demobilised hydraulic works of the Shalamar Gardens are in place.

A full report on the findings of the mission will be presented at the twenty-third extraordinary session of the Bureau.