Cliff of Bandiagara (Land of the Dogons)

• Insufficient site management means
• Illicit traffic of cultural property

The State Party submitted a state of conservation report on 24 March 2014, which is available at https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/516/documents/. It also submitted the annual report of activities (2013) and a report from the mission undertaken by the Cultural Mission of Bandiagara. Key issues reported on include:

• Management and conservation arrangements for the property, particularly limited funding for the functioning and implementation of actions by the Cultural Mission, have been strongly affected by the conflict in Mali over the past two years. Also, as noted in 2013, cultural tourism, an essential activity to sustain economic benefits and livelihoods for local communities at the property has also notably decreased. In addition, resources for continued maintenance have also not been secured.
• Acts of vandalism that affected the prehistoric sites at Toloy (in the Sangha region). The short mission undertaken at this sector identified impacts at two altars and collapse at one of the structures below the rock shelter and proposed potential measures to address this damage. It also reports on identified uncontrolled activities that can potentially impact architectural cohesion and impact the integrity of the inscribed landscape. No extensive information has been provided on these acts of vandalism to be able to ascertain at this stage what the impacts are on the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the property.
• Some actions were implemented throughout 2013, largely centred on support of local economic activities, particularly with the organisation and structuring of the Koundou artisans and support for women involved in handicraft activities. Actions were also undertaken to reinforce the capacities of heritage committees.
• Priorities for the property include strengthening the role of heritage into local development programmes and the review of the management and conservation for the property to adapt it to new socio-political and economic conditions. This last action is to be carried out potentially with funding from the World Monuments Fund. A rehabilitation project for three villages in Youga and for the mosque at Nando was developed and it will be implemented in 2014.

Notwithstanding the limited resources available, the State Party has continued its efforts to manage the property. Resources need to be secured to implement maintenance actions, in collaboration with local communities, before the fabric of heritage locations deteriorates further. Maintenance endeavors can contribute partly to improving conditions. The consideration being made by the State Party in strengthening the role of heritage in development proposals is considered as a positive development. The review of the management plan will be a crucial measure to ensure that adequate heritage provisions are articulated with development planning and used as an opportunity to strengthen community identity and belonging.

Acts of vandalism have been identified and concerns have been expressed by the State Party regarding uncontrolled actions that can potentially impact the integrity of the property. A detailed report is needed to be able to ascertain whether impacts to the OUV of the property have occurred. Sustained monitoring at different component parts of this large property, supported by local communities, is needed for their adequate protection. The process to review the management plan should include the broad participation of different stakeholders so that regulatory measures are identified to better control potential new constructions and development to retain the delicate balance between human occupation and landscape preservation.