The Department of Archaeology and National Museums is ready to answer
questions on the Bagan heritage area from the International Council on
Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), says the department’s director.
Richard Mackay, an expert from the council, conducted a survey last
September for a report that will be submitted to UNESCO regarding
Myanmar’s application to list the ancient city as a World Heritage Site.
“We are preparing to answer the questions of the ICOMOS expert, who
wants more information before submitting a final report to UNESCO in
March,” department director U Aung Aung Kyaw said.
He did not say what questions would be asked.
U Thu Ya Aung, secretary of the Myanmar Archaeology Association, said
there are three possible outcomes to the listing application process.
“One is Bagan is added to the World Heritage List; two is that listing
is deferred as in 1994, when UNESCO requested that stronger laws and a
management plan be created to protect Bagan; and three is that the
application is denied.
“At present, the management of the Bagan heritage area prioritises
development over protection. The authorities are still allowing new
hotel projects and roads in the heritage zone, even though there is
enough space outside the zone,” U Thu Ya Aung said.
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To reduce traffic within the ancient city last year, the regional
authorities re-opened Tharabar Gate, the last wall from the Bagan era.
The increasing number of vehicles using the route is worrying to
experts.
“Even though Tharabar Gate has a security team, some domestic
travellers are climbing up its wall. The traffic and crowds of people
are threatening the long-term sustainability of the gate,” U Thu Ya Aung
said.
Recently some Bagan and Nyaung-U residents protested to call for more information about the proposed cultural heritage law.
The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture is amending the
Protection and Preservation of Cultural Heritage Regions Law, which has
passed the Amyotha Hluttaw (Upper House) and Attorney General’s Office
and will be tabled in the Pyithu Hluttaw (Lower House).
“The new law proposes that people not be allowed to do any renovation,
even for building a fence in the heritage zone, without obtaining
permission from the Department of Archaeology.
We want regulations to be
more flexible for residents of the heritage zone,” Daw Khin Moh Mon
Aung, a resident of New Bagan, said.
Source - MMTimes
