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Fray Bentos Industrial Landscape (Uruguay)
    

State of Conservation


Advanced

Palestine: Land of Olives and Vines – Cultural Landscape of Southern Jerusalem, Battir
(Palestine)

Factors affecting the property in 2015*
  • Changes in traditional ways of life and knowledge system
  • Identity, social cohesion, changes in local population and community
  • Invasive/alien terrestrial species
  • Other Threats:

    potential construction of a separation fence (wall)

Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports

Threats identified at the time of inscription in 2014:

  • Potential construction of a separation fence (wall)
  • Abandonment of terraces and afforestation
  • Impact of socio-cultural and geo-political transformations
Threats for which the property was inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger
  • Potential construction of a separation fence (wall)
  • Abandonment of terraces and afforestation
  • Impact of socio-cultural and geo-political transformations
Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger

Drafted, proposed for adoption in the draft Decision below

Corrective Measures for the property

Drafted, proposed for adoption in the draft Decision below

  • Timeframe for the implementation of the corrective measures

Proposed for adoption in the draft Decision below

International Assistance granted to the property until 2015

Requests Approved: 0
Total Amount Approved: 0USD

Missions to the property until 2015**
Conservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 2015

On 25 February 2015, the State Party submitted a state of conservation report, which is available at http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1492/documents. This responded to the request of the World Heritage Committee at the time of inscription, as follows:

  • Construction of fence (wall): In January 2015, the Israeli High Court of Justice agreed to freeze the construction of the “Wall”, although the Israeli Government reserved the right to build the Wall in the future. This judgement followed the Israeli Government’s decision not to reauthorize the 2006 plan for a three-kilometre stretch of the “Wall”, as the plan was considered “not a high security priority”.
  • Socio-cultural and geo-political changes and abandonment of terraces and afforestation: Geopolitical changes are reported to be accelerating the processes of abandonment of agricultural practices and seriously affecting the socio-cultural structures. Both of these factors are having an increasingly disruptive effect on the integrity of the property. Further “illegal” construction of settlements on surrounding hills are negatively impacting on the setting of the property and also having an adverse impact on ecological systems.
  • Management and Conservation: The stakeholders are committed to developing a Management and Conservation Plan for the safeguarding and sustainable use of the property. A Master Plan for the village is also being planned. Various projects to restore irrigation channels, springs and stone walls are being undertaken.
  • A draft Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR) was submitted with the State Party report. A timeframe for its implementation was later agreed with the State Party.
Analysis and Conclusion by World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies in 2015

The decision by the Israeli High Court not to build the “Wall” is to be welcomed, as removing a major threat to the property. It is noted that this decision has not necessarily finally closed the issue but any new proposals would need to re-start the processes of consultation and approval within the Israeli administration.

As noted by the State Party, changes that have the potential to undermine the traditional social and cultural processes are accelerating and continuing to impact adversely on the functionality and integrity of the cultural landscape.

The reversal of these negative changes will only be achieved through sustained interventions at a local level, through an active management plan, and with the full engagement of local communities, and local and national authorities. The development of a Management and Conservation Plan and a strong management system is urgently needed as is adequate protection. The Plan needs to set out specific projects to deliver the necessary corrective measures.

It is recommended that the Committee adopt the DSOCR, developed by the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies in agreement with the State Party, as proposed in the draft Decision below.

Decisions adopted by the Committee in 2015

  • Adopted

  • Draft Decision
39COM7A.29
Palestine: Land of Olives and Vines – Cultural Landscape of Southern Jerusalem, Battir (Palestine) (C 1492)

The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Having examined Document WHC-15/39.COM/7A.Add,
  2. Recalling Decision 38 COM 8B.4, adopted at its 38th session (Doha, 2014),
  3. Welcomes the judgment of the Israeli High Court not to build the “Wall”, and notes that any new proposals for a wall or fence would need to re-start the processes of consultation and approval within the Israeli administration;
  4. Notes with concern that the decline in traditional social and cultural processes is accelerating, bringing further negative impacts on the functionality and integrity of the landscape;
  5. Takes note of the commitment to develop a Management Conservation Plan and urges the State Party to progress this as soon as possible;
  6. Adopts the following Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR):
    1. Dismissal of plans to build a “Wall” along the property, or within its setting,
    2. Adequate conservation in place of the agricultural terraces and their associated components, including watchtowers and drystone walls throughout the property,
    3. Adequate restoration in place of the irrigation system and the development of an adequate sewage system to protect water quality in the property,
    4. Protection in place for the property and its buffer zone,
    5. Management plan and monitoring systems adopted and sustainable management system in place;
  7. Also adopts the following corrective measures and timeframe for their implementation by the State Party:
    1. Corrective measures:
      1. Agreement to dismiss plans to build a “Wall” along the property, or within its setting,
      2. Implementation of projects to retrieve an appropriate state of conservation of the agricultural terraces and their components, including the watchtowers and drystone walls throughout the property,
      3. Implementation of a project to restore traditional irrigation systems,
      4. Implementation of a project to put in place adequate sewage system to protect water quality in the property,
      5. Preparation, approval and implementation of a Conservation, and a Management Plan for the property,
      6. Development and implementation of an active system of management that involves local communities and stakeholders,
      7. Preparation of a set of indicators for monitoring the property and implementation of a monitoring system,
      8. Development of protection for the property and its buffer zone,
    2. Timeframe for implementation of the corrective measures:

    [to be submitted]

  8. Also urges the State Party to implement the corrective measures and to submit a timetable for their full implementation to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2016, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 40th session in 2016;
  9. 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;
  10. Decides to retain Palestine: Land of Olives and Vines – Cultural Landscape of Southern Jerusalem, Battir (Palestine) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
Read more
39COM8B.52
Statements of Outstanding Universal Value of 12 properties inscribed at the 38th session (Doha, 2014) and not adopted by the World Heritage Committee

The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Having examined Document WHC-15/39.COM/8B.Add,
  2. Adopts the following Statements of Outstanding Universal Value for the following World Heritage properties inscribed at the 38th session of the World Heritage Committee (Doha, 2014):
  • Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador , Peru, Qhapaq Ñan, Andean Road System;
  • China, The Grand Canal;
  • Germany, Carolingian Westwork and Civitas Corvey;
  • Iran (Islamic Republic of), Shahr-i Sokhta;
  • Iraq, Erbil Citadel;
  • Mexico , Ancient Maya City and Protected Tropical Forests of Calakmul, Campeche;
  • Myanmar , Pyu Ancient Cities;
  • Palestine, Palestine: Land of Olives and Vines – Cultural Landscape of Southern Jerusalem, Battir;
  • Saudi Arabia, Historic Jeddah, the Gate to Makkah;
  • Turkey, Bursa and Cumalıkızık: the Birth of the Ottoman Empire;
  • Turkey, Pergamon and its Multi-Layered Cultural Landscape;
  • United States of America, Monumental Earthworks of Poverty Point.
Read more
39COM8C.2
Update of the List of the World Heritage in Danger

The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Having examined the state of conservation reports of properties inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger (WHC-15/39.COM/7A and WHC-15/39.COM/7A.Add),
  2. Decides to retain the following properties on the List of World Heritage in Danger:
  • Afghanistan, Minaret and Archaeological Remains of Jam (Decision 39 COM 7A.38)
  • Afghanistan, Cultural Landscape and Archaeological Remains of the Bamiyan Valley (Decision 39 COM 7A.39)
  • Belize, Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System (Decision 39 COM 7A.18)
  • Bolivia (Plurinational State of), City of Potosi (Decision 39 COM 7A.44)
  • Central African Republic, Manovo-Gounda St Floris National Park (Decision 39 COM 7A.1)
  • Chile, Humberstone and Santa Laura Saltpeter Works (Decision 39 COM 7A.45)
  • Côte d'Ivoire, Comoé National Park (Decision 39 COM 7A.2)
  • Côte d'Ivoire / Guinea, Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve (Decision 39 COM 7A.3)
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo, Virunga National Park (Decision 39 COM 7A.4)
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kahuzi-Biega National Park (Decision 39 COM 7A.5)
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo, Garamba National Park (Decision 39 COM 7A.6)
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo, Salonga National Park (Decision 39 COM 7A.7)
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo, Okapi Wildlife Reserve (Decision 39 COM 7A.8)
  • Egypt, Abu Mena (Decision 39 COM 7A.24)
  • Ethiopia, Simien National Park (Decision 39 COM 7A.10)
  • Georgia, Bagrati Cathedral and Gelati Monastery (Decision 39 COM 7A.40)
  • Georgia, Historical Monuments of Mtskheta (Decision 39 COM 7A.41)
  • Honduras, Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve (Decision 39 COM 7A.20)
  • Indonesia, Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra (Decision 39 COM 7A.15)
  • Iraq, Ashur (Qal'at Sherqat) (Decision 39 COM 7A.25)
  • Iraq, Samarra Archaeological City (Decision 39 COM 7A.26)
  • Jerusalem, Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls (site proposed by Jordan) (Decision 39 COM 7A.27)
  • Madagascar, Rainforests of the Atsinanana (Decision 39 COM 7A.11)
  • Mali, Timbuktu (Decision 39 COM 7A.21)
  • Mali, Tomb of Askia (Decision 39 COM 7A.22)
  • Niger, Air and Ténéré Natural Reserves (Decision 39 COM 7A.12)
  • Palestine, Birthplace of Jesus: Church of the Nativity and the Pilgrimage Route, Bethlehem (Decision 39 COM 7A.28)
  • Palestine, Palestine: Land of Olives and Vines – Cultural Landscape of Southern Jerusalem, Battir (Decision 39 COM 7A.29)
  • Panama, Fortifications on the Caribbean Side of Panama: Portobelo-San Lorenzo (Decision 39 COM 7A.46)
  • Peru, Chan Chan Archaelogical Zone (Decision 39 COM 7A.47)
  • Senegal, Niokolo-Koba National Park (Decision 39 COM 7A.13)
  • Serbia, Medieval Monuments in Kosovo (Decision 39 COM 7A.42)
  • Solomon Islands, East Rennell (Decision 38 COM 7B.16)
  • Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient City of Damascus (Decision 39 COM 7A.30)
  • Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient City of Bosra (Decision 39 COM 7A.31)
  • Syrian Arab Republic, Site of Palmyra (Decision 39 COM 7A.32)
  • Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient City of Aleppo (Decision 39 COM 7A.33)
  • Syrian Arab Republic, Crac des Chevaliers and Qal’at Salah El-Din (Decision 39 COM 7A.34)
  • Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient Villages of Northern Syria (Decision 39 COM 7A.35)
  • Uganda, Tombs of Buganda Kings at Kasubi (Decision 39 COM 7A.23)
  • United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Liverpool – Maritime Mercantile City (Decision 39 COM 7A.43)
  • United Republic of Tanzania, Selous Game Reserve (Decision 39 COM 7A.14)
  • United States of America, Everglades National Park (Decision 39 COM 7A.17)
  • Venezuela, Coro and its Port (Decision 39 COM 7A.48)
  • Yemen, Historic Town of Zabid (Decision 39 COM 7A.37)
Read more
Draft Decision: 39 COM 7A.29

The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Having examined Document WHC-15/39.COM/7A.Add,
  2. Recalling Decision 38 COM 8B.4, adopted at its 38th session (Doha, 2014),
  3. Welcomes the judgment of the Israeli High Court not to build the “Wall”, and notes that any new proposals for a wall or fence would need to re-start the processes of consultation and approval within the Israeli administration;
  4. Notes with concern that the decline in traditional social and cultural processes is accelerating, bringing further negative impacts on the functionality and integrity of the landscape;
  5. Takes note of the commitment to develop a Management Conservation Plan and urges the State Party to progress this as soon as possible;
  6. Adopts the following Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR):
  • Dismissal of plans to build a “Wall” along the property, or within its setting,
  • Adequate conservation in place of the agricultural terraces and their associated components, including watchtowers and drystone walls throughout the property,
  • Adequate restoration in place of the irrigation system and the development of an adequate sewage system to protect water quality in the property,
  • Protection in place for the property and its buffer zone,
  • Management plan and monitoring systems adopted and sustainable management system in place;
7.   Also adopts the following corrective measures and timeframe for their implementation by the State Party
   a) Corrective measures:
        (i) Agreement to dismiss plans to build a “Wall” along the property, or within its setting,
        (ii) Implementation of projects to retrieve an appropriate state of conservation of the agricultural terraces and their components, including the watchtowers and drystone walls throughout the property,
        (iii) Implementation of a project to restore traditional irrigation systems,
        (iv) Implementation of a project to put in place adequate sewage system to protect water quality in the property,
        (v) Preparation, approval and implementation of a Conservation, and a Management Plan for the property,
        (vi) Development and implementation of an active system of management that involves local communities and stakeholders,
        (vii) Preparation of a set of indicators for monitoring the property and implementation of a monitoring system,
        (viii) Development of protection for the property and its buffer zone,

    b) Timeframe for implementation of the corrective measures:

[to be submitted]

8.   Also urges the State Party to implement the corrective measures and to submit a timetable for their full implementation to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2016, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 40th session in 2016;

9.   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;

10. Decides to retain Palestine: Land of Olives and Vines – Cultural Landscape of Southern Jerusalem, Battir (Palestine) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.

 

 Palestine
Date of Inscription: 2014
Nomination records (Year): 2014
Category: Cultural
Criteria: (iv)(v)
Danger List (dates): 2014-present
Read the SOUV
Documents examined by the Committee in 2015

WHC-15/39.COM/7A.Add

States Parties SOC Report

2015

Exports

SOC


* : 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.