Archaeological Ruins at Moenjodaro

• Lack of appropriate conservation work;
• Deterioration of structures;
• Suspension of management system;
• Issues linked to water (drainage, water stagnation, flooding)
• Damage arising from the 2022 monsoon

Total amount provided to the property: USD 23,500,000 (total of contributions for the International Safeguarding Campaign for Moenjodaro)

On 20 January 2024, the State Party submitted a state of conservation report, which is available at https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/138/documents. Progress in addressing the conservation issues raised by the Committee at its previous sessions as well as the response to the 2022 monsoon damage are presented in this report, as follows:

• In August 2022, the property received disastrous monsoonal rainfall, seriously affecting the archaeological remains, and causing severe structural damage, including collapsed walls, cavities in structures, erosion of slopes and mud pushta, drainage overload and weakening of wall bottoms and foundations;
• There is a need to adopt a very cautious approach to repair based on thorough understanding of the cause and processes of deterioration. Expert research is deepening understanding of the major causes of deterioration, and informing conservation practices related to drainage systems and flooring, bonding between old and new materials, and the quality of mortar and bricks at wall bases;
• Efforts undertaken in conserving the site, in association with international partners and non-government stakeholders, have focused on preserving the property’s Outstanding Universal Value (OUV);
• Damage to specific quarters, monuments, structures and infrastructure is outlined, with condition maps. The main causes of decay are superficial drainage, salt crystallization and hydration inside masonry, pre-existing weaknesses and especially structural degradation resulting from insufficient capacity of the wall capping to absorb water, and water stagnation, that weakens the bases of walls;
• UNESCO expert emergency missions in 2022 and 2023 provided technical advice including proposed priorities, which has incorporated within an integrated conservation strategy with both short-term and long-term objectives;
• Short-term conservation actions continue for the most vulnerable and damaged parts of the property;
• The Conservation Manual for the property sets out three major remedial actions, namely application of mud slurry, application of mud plaster and replacement of salt-laden earth;
• An expanded workforce, including experienced masons and laborers, has been deployed to cope with the immediate preservation needs as well as with the longer-term conservation actions as necessary;
• Site visits and training by experts have improved conservation methods and the overall response to the impacts of climate change;
• An initial technical proposal for an international appeal to secure funds for a multi-annual preservation project has been prepared for consideration of the World Heritage Centre.

The requested joint World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS Reactive Monitoring mission to the property took place in March 2024.

UNESCO has actively supported the property from through an initial global campaign between 1974 and 1997, and more recently with emergency missions in November 2022 and February 2023. Despite these efforts, the property continues to face profound physical conservation challenges, which have been exacerbated and highlighted by the disastrous effects of monsoonal rains and flooding in August 2022. The property has endured significant damage, is subject to ongoing deterioration, and attributes which support its OUV remain at risk.

The State Party is to be commended for its actions following the August 2022 monsoon, including close collaboration with the World Heritage Centre regarding the emergency missions’ recommendations, elaboration of an integrated conservation strategy, short-term conservation actions, research into major causes of deterioration, and expansion and training of the property’s workforce. The State Party should be encouraged to continue these efforts, including completion of overall condition assessments with maps by quarters and by damage and risk, continuation of short-term conservation actions addressing the most vulnerable and damaged parts of the property, and ongoing research into the causes of deterioration and appropriate preventive and remedial actions.

The March 2024 joint Reactive Monitoring mission assessed the state of conservation of the property, reviewed the management and conservation framework, advised about management and conservation tools, and reviewed the efficacy and appropriateness of emergency measures following the August 2022 monsoon. The mission found that the property retains its integrity and authenticity, largely through intensive and continued efforts of the management authority and staff, but remains vulnerable, and that fundamental causes of deterioration, such as intensive saline action, and moisture leading to rapid erosion, continue because they arise from the property’s geological conditions. The mission report provides extensive recommendations, including further research, equipment needs and data management, conservation interventions and methodologies, vulnerability assessment, short- and long-term priorities, drainage, stakeholder and public participation, the site museum, and overall governance, which the State Party should be encouraged to implement. The elaboration of an integrated Management Plan, together with a refined draft Disaster Risk Reduction plan for 2023-2030, is needed to coordinate preservation efforts in light of increasing threats from exceptional and unpredictable weather events.

Noting the extensive programme of preventive and remedial conservation works, it would be timely for the Committee to remind the State Party that Heritage Impact Assessments (HIAs), following the methodology of the Guidance and Toolkit for Impact Assessments in a World Heritage Context, should be prepared for projects with potential impact on the OUV of the property, and documentation, including HIAs, should be submitted to the World Heritage Centre for review by the Advisory Bodies, prior to commencement, in conformity with paragraphs 172 and 118bis of the Operational Guidelines, prior to making any irreversible decisions.

In Decision 45 COM 7B.169, the Committee recognised that the property warrants a new phase of large-scale international technical and financial support. A multi-annual international project would enable an integrated approach embracing conservation, disaster risk reduction, and advanced research on the optimal conservation measures. It is therefore welcome that the State Party has elaborated a technical proposal to secure funds for a multi-annual preservation project for study of the World Heritage Centre, and the Committee should encourage its support by all State Parties.