Tokaj Wine Region Historic Cultural Landscape
Factors affecting the property in 2008*
- Non-renewable energy facilities
International Assistance: requests for the property until 2008
Total amount approved : 0 USD
Missions to the property until 2008**
2001: International Workshop on vineyard landscapes
Conservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 2008
The World Heritage Centre was informed by individuals and NGOs about different development projects within and in the vicinity of the property, including a project for an electricity power station in the buffer zone, an energy plant with wood pallets; a project on the territory of the State Party of Slovakia for a coal energy plant.
Following the letter by the World Heritage Centre dated 23 October 2007, the State Party informed the World Heritage Centre that the Hungarian World Heritage Commission was following the issue closely in consultation with stakeholders concerned and hoped to be able to provide a report by 1 February 2008.
By letter dated 16 January 2008, the World Heritage Centre also received the proposition of the President of the Borsod-Abauj-Zemplen County Government concerning the project as well as being informed that specific legislative measures were being initiated by this County Government in order to guarantee the protection of the property. By letter dated 1 February 2008 the State Party provided a detailed report on the state of conservation of the property prepared following the special session of the Hungarian World Heritage Commission headed by its President, Minister of Education and Culture. The State Party informed the World Heritage Centre that it is fully committed to protect the site and that negotiations of all parties are under way to find mutually acceptable solutions. The State Party stated that a comprehensive World Heritage impact study is going to be carried out in order to avoid any potential damage to the property and negotiations are under way to reach an agreement with all parties involved. The State Party confirmed that legal instruments will be drafted aimed at the further strengthening of the legal environment related to the property. The State Party also confirmed that the World Heritage Committee will be kept informed on any progress in this matter.
The World Heritage Centre and ICOMOS urge the State Party as soon as possible to provide full details of the proposed energy plant in accordance with paragraph 172. of the Operational Guidelines, and of the proposed heritage impact assessment in order to evaluate the potential impact of the plant on the outstanding universal value of the cultural landscape will be considered.
Summary of the interventions
Decisions adopted by the Committee in 2008
32 COM 7B.95
Tokaj Wine Region Historic Cultural Landscape (Hungary) (C 1063)
The World Heritage Committee
1. Having examined Document WHC-08/32.COM/7B,
2. Recalling Decisions 26 COM 23.28 and 26 COM 23.14, adopted at its 26th session (Budapest, 2002),
3. Encourages the State Party, with the Slovakian authorities, to collaborate towards a transboundary extension of the property, as recommended at its 26th session (Budapest, 2002);
4. Notes the detailed report provided by the State Party on development proposals including an analysis of the situation and actions envisaged;
5. Urges the State Party to provide as soon as possible full details of the proposed power plant in accordance with Paragraph 172 of the Operational Guidelines and of the proposed heritage impact assessment;
6. Requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2009, an updated report on the state of conservation of the property, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 33rd session in 2009.
Draft Decision: 32 COM 7B.95
The World Heritage Committee
1. Having examined Document WHC-08/32.COM/7B,
2. Recalling Decisions 26 COM 23.28 and 26 COM 23.14, adopted at its 26th session (Budapest, 2002),
3. Encourages the State Party, with the Slovakian authorities, to collaborate towards a transboundary extension of the property, as requested at its 26th session (Budapest, 2002);
4. Notes the detailed report provided by the State Party on development proposals including an analysis of the situation and actions envisaged;
5. Urges the State Party to provide as soon as possible full details of the proposed power plant in accordance with Paragraph 172 of the Operational Guidelines and of the proposed heritage impact assessment;
6. Requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2009, an update report on the state of conservation of the property, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 33rd session in 2009.
Hungary
* :
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.
