Fort and Shalamar Gardens in Lahore
Factors affecting the property in 2014*
- Financial resources
- Housing
- Land conversion
- Legal framework
- Management systems/ management plan
Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports
- Demolition of two of the tanks and partial demolition of a third tank of the hydraulic works of the Shalamar Gardens (issue resolved);
- Encroachments and urban pressure;
- Inadequate management mechanisms (including incomplete legislation, lack of financial resources);
- Lack of definition of boundaries of the Lahore Fort and Shalamar Gardens.
Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger
Adopted, see https://whc.unesco.org/en/decisions/1290
Corrective Measures for the property
Adopted, see https://whc.unesco.org/en/decisions/1076
UNESCO Extra-Budgetary Funds until 2014
Total amount provided to the property: USD 975,000, Norwegian Funds-in-Trust, Japanese Funds-in-Trust, Getty Foundation, United States Embassy in Pakistan
International Assistance: requests for the property until 2014
Total amount approved : 121,000 USD
2000 | Rescue programme for Fort and Shalamar Gardens, Lahore ... (Approved) | 50,000 USD |
1999 | Archaeological, soil and design research and the ... (Approved) | 10,000 USD |
1999 | Signage on-site at the Fort and Shalimar Gardens of ... (Approved) | 5,000 USD |
1981 | Emergency restoration work at Lahore Fort (Approved) | 44,000 USD |
1981 | Emergency restoration work at Shalimar Gardens (Approved) | 12,000 USD |
Missions to the property until 2014**
October 2000: World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS reactive monitoring mission; April 2001 and June 2003: UNESCO experts advisory missions; November 2005: World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS reactive monitoring mission; February 2009: UNESCO Tehran Office/ICOMOS reactive monitoring mission; April/May 2012: World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS joint reactive monitoring mission.
Conservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 2014
The State Party submitted a state of conservation report on 19 February 2014. The report notes progress on the following:
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Management mechanisms: The Government of Punjab established the Department of Youth Affairs, Sports, Archaeology and Tourism Development in 2011. It has continued to function well in coordinating actions between archaeology and tourism. Additionally, an Annual Development Programme with 25 schemes for preservation, protection and development of archaeological sites has been funded and this includes the property.
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Conservation actions: The five-year programme for the property has continued its implementation with major conservation and development actions undertaken. Interventions were centred on the stabilization and restoration of areas including the Royal Hammam, Dewan-e- Aam, Moat Area, decorated surfaces on the northern façade of the Fort and several interventions at the Shalamar Garden. The State Party also reports that public facilities outside the Gardens, in an area purchased on the southeast side, will be completed by mid-2014. ]
Despite the request made by the World Heritage Committee in Decision 36 COM 7A.28 a new proposal for the buffer zone of the property, to be considered as a minor boundary modification, was not submitted to the World Heritage Centre by 1 February 2013.
Analysis and Conclusion by World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies in 2014
The continued efforts of the State Party in addressing the state of conservation of the fabric of the site are noted and it is considered that the sustained implementation of these actions has improved the condition of the built heritage. The management mechanisms that were set up in 2011 have been effective in increasing active collaboration and securing funding. It should be underscored the importance of continuing sustained funding should be underscored so that the implementation of projected activities is not hindered. Moreover, it is important to review and update the Conservation Plan, particularly in light of the progress made in the implementation of the five-year programme. It is essential that a clear course of action is defined for the future of the property, beyond the state of emergency that warranted inscription on the List of World Heritage in Danger. No information was received on the reconstitution of the training institute, yet it is essential that this request be implemented, as it will also ensure sufficient capacity for long-term sustainable conservation and maintenance actions.
Although these are positive steps, no updated information has been received on the progress made in addressing issues that were previously reported at the planning stages or pending review. In particular, there is no information on the formal establishment of the buffer zone or the adoption of regulatory measures, both crucial to ensure that issues pertaining to encroachment and urban development are effectively managed. The request made by the World Heritage Committee to submit a minor boundary modification to establish a new buffer zone was not received. Finally, no information was received about whether the process for relocating existing infrastructure has been completed, or how regulatory measures will be enforced to ensure the protection of the property.
Summary of the interventions
Decisions adopted by the Committee in 2014
38 COM 7B.19
Fort and Shalamar Gardens in Lahore (Pakistan) (C 171)
The World Heritage Committee,
- Having examined Document WHC-14/38.COM/7B,
- Recalling Decision 36 COM 7A.28, adopted at its 36th session (Saint-Petersburg, 2012),
- Welcomes the efforts of the State Party in addressing the state of conservation of the property and encourages it to continue to support existing management mechanisms and to secure adequate funding for sustaining conservation and maintenance actions;
- Requests the State Party to continue to update the Conservation Plan and submit it to the World Heritage Centre for review by the Advisory Bodies;
- Also encourages the State Party to continue its efforts for the reconstitution of the training institute to ensure the long-term capacity to address the conservation and maintenance of the property;
- Reiterates its request to the State Party to formally submit to the World Heritage Centre a proposal for a minor boundary modification which includes a new buffer zone for the property, as well as the adopted regulatory measures, in accordance to Paragraphs 163-165 of the Operational Guidelines , by 1 February 2015;
- Also requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 December 2015, an updated report, including a 1-page executive summary, on the state of conservation of the property and the implementation of the above, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 40th session in 2016.
Draft Decision: 38 COM 7B.19
The World Heritage Committee,
1. Having examined Document WHC-14/38.COM/7B,
2. Recalling Decision 36 COM 7A.28, adopted at its 36th session (Saint-Petersburg, 2012),
3. Welcomes the efforts of the State Party in addressing the state of conservation of the property and encourages it to continue to support existing management mechanisms and to secure adequate funding for sustaining conservation and maintenance actions;
4. Requests the State Party to continue to update the Conservation Plan and submit it to the World Heritage Centre for review by the Advisory Bodies;
5. Also encourages the State Party to continue its efforts for the reconstitution of the training institute to ensure the long-term capacity to address the conservation and maintenance of the property;
6. Reiterates its request to the State Party to formally submit to the World Heritage Centre a proposal for a minor boundary modification which includes a new buffer zone for the property, as well as the adopted regulatory measures, in accordance to Paragraphs 163-165 of the Operational Guidelines, by 1 February 2015;
7. Also requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2016, an updated report, including a 1-page executive summary, on the state of conservation of the property and the implementation of the above, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 40th session in 2016.
![](https://whc.unesco.org/uploads/thumbs/site_0171_0013-376-200-20230510151028.jpg)
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.