Bahla Fort

• Degradation of the structures;
• Use of recent construction materials (cement, etc.)

During its twentieth session, the Committee was informed of the remarks and recommendations of the expert mission which visited the site in September 1996.  The state of conservation of the site is a serious cause for concern.  The Committee thanked the Omani authorities for having accepted the mission's recommendations, but however, requested to be kept regularly informed, through the World Heritage Centre, of progress achieved in the implementation of these measures.  This had not been done by the Omani authorities, in spite of several requests for information by the Centre, until 12 and 24 March 1997, when it was confirmed that the measures recommended by the experts were being carried out and they requested that another expert mission be sent to the site.  On 10 April, the Permanent Delegation informed the Centre that following heavy rains the north-west Tower of the Fort had collapsed.

After having taken note of the report of the Secretariat concerning the situation at Fort Bahla, the Bureau thanked the Omani authorities for their communications of 12 and 24 March 1997 by which they confirmed their intent to carry out the recommendations of the UNESCO experts.  However, it expressed its serious concern following the collapse of the Fort's north-west Tower and requested them to make every effort to consolidate the monument.  It approved the dispatch of a new expert mission next October, on a cost-sharing basis, as previously.

A new expert mission was scheduled for October 1997 to advise on the preservation of the Fort. At the time of the preparation of this document the outcome of the mission was not yet known.

The Committee may wish to examine information that may be available at the time of its session and take appropriate action thereupon.