Latest news with #ListofWorldHeritageinDanger
Time of India
2 days ago
- General
- Time of India
From crisis to conservation: The inspiring revival of Manas National Park
1 2 Guwahati: Manas National Park, a Unesco World Heritage Site, stands as a shining beacon of what can be achieved through dedicated, science-driven, and community-focused conservation efforts. Once teetering on the edge of wildlife collapse, this park has transformed into a thriving habitat for tigers, serving as a global symbol of hope, resilience, and the responsible care of our natural world. Nestled in the Chirang and Baksa districts of western Assam, Manas shares its borders with Bhutan. Back in 1972, the park boasted a robust tiger population of around 82. However, the park faced severe challenges due to militancy, poaching, forest encroachment, and habitat loss, which led to a dramatic decline in wildlife numbers. By 2010, the tiger population had dwindled to a mere eight, sparking fears of local extinction. In response to these ongoing threats, Unesco, which had recognized Manas as a World Heritage Site in 1985 for its extraordinary biodiversity and natural beauty, placed it on the List of World Heritage in Danger. This was a wake-up call, highlighting the risk of losing the very values that warranted its protection. By 2011, thanks to concerted efforts, Unesco removed Manas from the "in danger" list, applauding the park's remarkable recovery and the dedication invested in its restoration. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Newham: If You Were Born Between 1940-1975 You Could Be Eligible For This Life Cover Reassured Get Quote Undo C Ramesh, field director of the Tiger Project at Manas, expressed optimism about the park's journey, noting that it has become a national exemplar in tiger conservation. "From the top level in the govt, staff in the jungle to the community, it has been a collective effort over the decades for which Manas now has over 60 tigers," he said. Ramesh added that the key to this success lay in bolstering wildlife protection against poachers and encroachers, enhancing monitoring through both manual and technological means, and conducting regular surveys. The tiger conservation initiatives gained momentum following the Bodo Accord in Feb 2003, an agreement between the central and state governments and the Bodo Liberation Tigers (BLT) to address the Bodo people's autonomy demands. Senior conservation biologist Dipankar Lahkar, assistant director of wildlife conservation NGO Aaranyak, highlighted the organization's relentless collaboration with the forest department in tiger conservation at Manas since 2010. "Manas has set a global example in tiger conservation since the historic commitment made by the leaders of 13 tiger range countries at The Tiger Summit in St. Petersburg, Russia, in 2010," he said. Lahkar added that Aaranyak provided rigorous training to Manas's forest staff in equipment handling, camera trapping, map reading, and data analysis from 2010 to 2021, enabling them to independently manage these tasks. He also pointed out that Manas's proximity to Bhutan's Royal Manas National Park facilitates the natural movement of tigers between the two regions. "During our continuous monitoring and analysis from 2010 to 2021, 24 tigers were captured on camera traps in both Manas in Assam and Royal Manas in Bhutan," he added. Discussing the factors behind the success in tiger conservation, Lahkar mentioned that an 85% recapture probability (the same tiger being spotted in a camera trap each year) was observed from 2010 to 2021, which is crucial for the growth of the tiger population. "We refer to these as resident tigers. The presence of more resident tigers in a forest increases the likelihood of a growing tiger population," he explained. Beyond the cessation of political violence and poaching, Lahkar highlighted the shift in social behavior among the people in and around Manas, driven by awareness campaigns, as a significant factor in the tiger population's resurgence. Around 2005, local community organizations, supported by park managers and the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC), were established to protect Manas's sanctity, yielding positive results over time.
Al-Ahram Weekly
5 days ago
- General
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Abu Mena removed from Danger List - Heritage - Al-Ahram Weekly
The ancient Christian site of Abu Mena near Alexandria has been removed from the UNESCO List of World Heritage in Danger. In a historic move reflecting Egypt's commitment to cultural heritage preservation, the UN cultural agency UNESCO's World Heritage Committee in its 47th session in Paris has officially removed the ancient site of Abu Mena from its In Danger List, marking the successful culmination of years of dedicated restoration and protection efforts. Situated in the desert of Borg Al-Arab southwest of Alexandria, Abu Mena, a testament to centuries of history and spiritual significance, is one of Egypt's most important early Christian archaeological sites and a once-thriving pilgrimage centre dating back to the late Roman and Byzantine periods. After more than two decades on UNESCO's World Heritage in Danger List, due to rising groundwater levels that threatened its structural integrity, the site has now been restored to stability through an ambitious national project. The international recognition of this signalled by the site's removal from the In Danger List not only celebrates Egypt's commitment to safeguarding its cultural legacy but also sets a precedent for the sustainable preservation of threatened heritage sites around the world. The site was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979 in recognition of its Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) as well as its cultural and religious significance. However, it was added to the List of World Heritage in Danger in 2001 due to a rising water table caused by agricultural development in the surrounding area. The excessive groundwater threatened the fragile foundations of the mudbrick and limestone structures, leading to significant deterioration and collapse. In response to the site's deteriorating condition, a comprehensive and multi-phase conservation project was launched in 2019 by former minister of tourism and antiquities Khaled El-Enany who inaugurated its completion in 2022. The Groundwater Lowering Project breathed new life into Abu Mena, ensuring its preservation for generations to come and making it ready to be removed from the In Danger List. The efforts included advanced hydrological studies, the installation of modern drainage systems to lower the groundwater levels, and the stabilisation and restoration of key architectural elements. The project also saw enhanced cooperation with local communities, environmental agencies, and experts in heritage conservation. These efforts were not only aimed at saving the site from physical damage, but also at creating a sustainable framework for its long-term protection and integration into Egypt's cultural tourism landscape. The project was carried out by the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities in collaboration with both the ministries of water resources and irrigation and agriculture and land reclamation as well as the Alexandria governorate with a budget of LE50 million funded by the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA). It includes the execution of a collection of 69 water trenches of 35 to 50 metres deep, where 12 are located around the burial of St Abu Mena while the other 57 were dug around the whole site. Pumping pipes some 6,000 metres long were also extended on site, connecting the new trenches and electromechanical work to the control system to follow up on the level of the groundwater inside each trench. The sewage drains located on site and those found in the surrounding area were cleared, while the irrigation system for agricultural land around the archaeological area was converted to a drip irrigation system, which led to the reduction of the groundwater problem in the area. The western wall surrounding the basilica was restored and all the architectural elements of the basilica, church, and burial were repaired in their original location. Meanwhile, the fine restoration of the basilica's walls, decoration, and the main entrance was completed. The facility management of the site was upgraded, said Bassem Ibrahim, supervisor of the Department for Archaeological Sites at the SCA, and signs were installed in collaboration with the Alexandria governorate along the roads leading to the city to facilitate reaching the site. In collaboration with UNESCO, indicative, explanatory, and guide panels were installed along with a map of the site in addition to information in Arabic and English. The work also involved extending various services for visitors, such as installing restrooms, sunshades, benches, and rubbish bins designed for recycling, The site was made accessible for people with special needs. REPORT: After the inauguration of the project in 2022, the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities provided UNESCO with a report on the state of preservation of the Abu Mena site, including the efforts undertaken in terms of corrective measures at the site, in preparation for submitting an official request to remove it from the World Heritage in Danger List. The report included an explanation of the groundwater lowering project and an integrated management plan for the site for the first time since it was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1979. The plan included proposals to identify dangers, amend the boundaries of the archaeological site, and carry out preservation and restoration. It asked for a monitoring mission to be sent from the World Heritage Centre to inspect the site in preparation for its removal from the List of World Heritage in Danger. In February 2025, the monitoring mission arrived at Abu Mena and inspected the archaeological site. During the recently held session of the World Heritage Committee, the 2025 Joint Reactive Monitoring Mission report by the World Heritage Centre and the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) was reviewed. The report welcomed Egypt's efforts in implementing the corrective measures at the site, particularly the consolidation of its archaeological features and the establishment of a monitoring system to stabilise the ground water table, the efficacy of which has been confirmed through continuous periodic measurements and confirmed by the 2025 joint World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS Reactive Monitoring Mission. The report praised the Egyptian government's comprehensive efforts to implement all the previously recommended corrective measures, confirming that the Desired State of Conservation for Removal (DSOCR) had been fully achieved. In recognition of this success, the committee congratulated Egypt and endorsed the site's removal from the In Danger List, underscoring the country's commitment to protecting its cultural heritage in accordance with international standards. Sherif Fathy, the minister of tourism and antiquities, hailed the decision as a major achievement and a reflection of the state's dedication to protecting its archaeological treasures. He noted that the success at Abu Mena adds to Egypt's growing record in the field of cultural heritage preservation and strengthens its leadership within the international heritage community. 'This achievement reflects the deep partnership between Egypt and UNESCO and our shared responsibility to preserve World Heritage for future generations,' Fathy said. He also extended his congratulations to Pope Tawadros II, pope of Alexandria and patriarch of the See of St Mark, in recognition of his supportive role and the contributions of the Coptic Church to the success of the project. Mohamed Ismail Khaled, secretary-general of the SCA, said that the World Heritage Committee's decision to remove Abu Mena from the List of World Heritage in Danger represents a strong international endorsement of Egypt's commitment to heritage preservation and its successful implementation of corrective measures. These included the structural reinforcement of key archaeological elements and the development of a dedicated groundwater management system, measures whose effectiveness was confirmed through continuous monitoring and validated in the mission report issued in 2025. Khaled reiterated Egypt's continued dedication to preserving the site's integrity through regular updates to its conservation strategy, in close coordination with international advisory bodies and by ensuring the allocation of necessary resources and maintaining open channels of communication with the UNESCO World Heritage Centre. He expressed his sincere appreciation to the World Heritage Centre for its ongoing support and trust and welcomed the committee's decision as a milestone in the protection of one of Egypt's most significant Christian archaeological sites. He also acknowledged the crucial role played by the Foreign Ministry, the UNESCO Regional Office in Cairo, and the collective efforts of all those involved in the project, including archaeologists, conservators, experts, technicians, and workers, whose professionalism and dedication made the achievement possible. In its statement to the World Heritage Committee, the Egyptian delegation remarked that 'this decision is the culmination of decades of hard work by Egyptian experts, local communities, and UNESCO. It restores dignity to a site that embodies our shared sacred heritage. We owe this achievement to the visionary and effective support of the UNESCO Regional Office in Cairo, whose technical guidance and capacity-building were indispensable.' It further stated that 'this moment stands as a clear demonstration of how international cooperation, anchored in local engagement and scientific expertise, can safeguard humanity's cultural landmarks, particularly in the Arab region and Africa, for future generations.' On its Facebook page, the UNESCO Regional office in Cairo celebrated the removal of Abu Mena from the In Danger List and described it as 'a landmark achievement for Egypt and the UNESCO Regional Office in Cairo'. 'This remarkable achievement is the result of nearly two decades of dedicated technical support, strategic guidance, and capacity building led by the UNESCO Regional Office in Cairo and a model of effective international cooperation rooted in strong national ownership,' it said. 'We proudly celebrate this moment of national pride, global solidarity, and the successful collaboration between Egypt and the UNESCO Regional Office in Cairo.' ABU MENA: The Abu Mena site was one of the great centres of pilgrimage in Egypt from the fifth to seventh centuries CE. Thousands of people came from all over the Christian world seeking the site's reputed healing powers. Pilgrims took home sacred water in tiny pottery ampoules (shaped like two-handled jars and stamped with the figure of the saint between two camels) or oil from the lamp that burned before the tomb. Bishop Badawes Avamena, responsible for antiquities at the Abu Mena Monastery, said that Abu Mena was a soldier-saint who had died a martyr's death. His cult gained popularity when, according to legend, his body was placed on a camel and borne inland to be buried. At a certain spot the camel refused to move further, a sign taken as divine revelation that he should be buried there. Wind-blown sand eventually covered the tomb, and no trace was left. Some centuries later, a shepherd observed that a sick lamb that crossed the spot immediately became well. When the remains of the saint were discovered, a church was built over his grave. The reputation of the place spread far and wide. Pilgrims came in scores, and the stories of the wondrous cures that they carried home attracted more pilgrims. Soon the original church was too small to accommodate the number of visitors, and the Roman Emperor Arcadius (395-408 CE) built another church, to which the saint's relics were transferred. Subsequent emperors erected other buildings, and eventually the site's Great Basilica was built, to which thousands of pilgrims flocked from as far afield as England, France, Germany, Spain, and Turkey. Cures were attributed to the therapeutic effects of the water, which came from springs in limestone rocks (they have since dried up) and baths were built flanking the church. When the Roman emperor Constantine the Great's only daughter, who suffered from leprosy, was reputedly healed at Abu Mena, the fame of the site spread further throughout the Roman world. A great city grew up, flourished, and eventually disappeared. The famed city written up by classical writers was thought to be legendary until in 1961 the German Archaeological Institute excavated the area under the direction of archaeologist Peter Grossman and discovered one of the largest and most ancient pilgrimage sites in the world. The ruins cover an area one km square where the main colonnaded pilgrimage route of the early Christians has been identified. It had shops and workshops to the left and right, leading to the Church of the Martyr, built during the era of the Byzantine emperor Justinian (528-565 CE). The ruins suggest that the pilgrims gathered in a great square surrounded by hostels. There, monks could take care of the sick who came to the shrine to be healed. There are also the ruins of two large bathhouses and wells. A new monastery has now been built at the site, its lofty surrounding walls and twin towers situated no more than 500 metres from the ancient site. * A version of this article appears in print in the 24 July, 2025 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Al-Ahram Weekly
16-07-2025
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Egypt welcomes Abu Mena Monastery removal from UNESCO List of World Heritage in Danger - Tourism
Egypt welcomed UNESCO's decision to remove Abu Mena Monastery from the List of World Heritage in Danger, describing it as a new milestone that underscores the country's commitment to safeguarding its cultural heritage according to international standards, a cabinet statement said Wednesday. Related Reviving a sacred legacy The decision regarding Abu Mena Monastery in Borg El Arab, southwest of Alexandria, was taken during the 47th session of the World Heritage Committee, held on 6-16 July at UNESCO headquarters in Paris, a recent statement by the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities read. The 2025 Joint Reactive Monitoring Mission report by the World Heritage Centre and the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) praised Egypt's efforts to implement previously recommended corrective measures, confirming that the Desired State of Conservation for Removal (DSOCR) had been fully achieved. According to UNESCO, the DSOCR is a clearly defined condition that a World Heritage property on the List of World Heritage in Danger must reach to demonstrate it is no longer under serious and specific threat. The report also highlighted significant progress in the site's conservation, especially the installation of a sophisticated groundwater monitoring and control system, proven effective through continuous measurements. Inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1979 for its religious and architectural value, Abu Mena had been placed on the endangered list in 2001 due to rising groundwater levels that threatened the integrity of its centuries-old structures. The site also includes a well, a Great Basilica, and a pilgrims' courtyard — each bearing witness to its religious and architectural significance. National cooperation Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathy expressed satisfaction with this achievement, commending the extensive efforts to lower the groundwater levels and restore archaeological elements, the statement indicated. He credited the success to the coordinated work between state institutions, the Coptic Orthodox Church, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stressing that this reflects Cairo's commitment to heritage preservation. He also thanked Pope Tawadros II for his support and the church's contributions. The conservation initiative, launched in 2019, saw the groundwater management system begin trial operations in late 2021 before being inaugurated in 2022 by then-minister Khaled El-Enany. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
See - Sada Elbalad
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- See - Sada Elbalad
ICESCO Holds Event on List of World Heritage in Danger
Mohamed Mandour The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) organized a side event on the sidelines of the 47th session of the World Heritage Committee, held at UNESCO headquarters in Paris, to showcase its efforts to support the removal of Member States' properties from the UNESCO List of World Heritage in Danger and promote international cooperation in this field. Titled 'ICESCO Strategy for Supporting the Removal of Properties from the List of World Heritage in Danger within Member States,' the event was organized in partnership with several distinguished partners and was moderated by Somia Djacta, Head of ICESCO's Office to UNESCO. Dr. Mohamed Zinelabidine, Head of the Culture Sector at ICESCO, opened the event with a statement of appreciation to the host organizations and underscored ICESCO's recent accomplishments in assisting Member States in the removal of their sites from the List of World Heritage in Danger. Dr. Zinelabidine reaffirmed the Organization's unwavering commitment to proactive engagement and international cooperation in the preservation of cultural heritage. read more New Tourism Route To Launch in Old Cairo Ahmed El Sakka-Led Play 'Sayidati Al Jamila' to Be Staged in KSA on Dec. 6 Mandy Moore Joins Season 2 of "Dr. Death" Anthology Series Don't Miss These Movies at 44th Cairo Int'l Film Festival Today Amr Diab to Headline KSA's MDLBEAST Soundstorm 2022 Festival Arts & Culture Mai Omar Stuns in Latest Instagram Photos Arts & Culture "The Flash" to End with Season 9 Arts & Culture Ministry of Culture Organizes four day Children's Film Festival Arts & Culture Canadian PM wishes Muslims Eid-al-Adha News Israeli-Linked Hadassah Clinic in Moscow Treats Wounded Iranian IRGC Fighters News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Videos & Features Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt News "Tensions Escalate: Iran Probes Allegations of Indian Tech Collaboration with Israeli Intelligence" News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks Arts & Culture Hawass Foundation Launches 1st Course to Teach Ancient Egyptian Language Videos & Features Video: Trending Lifestyle TikToker Valeria Márquez Shot Dead during Live Stream Technology 50-Year Soviet Spacecraft 'Kosmos 482' Crashes into Indian Ocean
Qatar Tribune
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Qatar Tribune
Qatar affirms its interest in protecting heritage sites at risk
QNA Paris Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) HE Dr Nasser bin Hamad Al Henzab has affirmed that Qatar, through its membership in the World Heritage Committee, attaches great importance to the protection and rehabilitation of heritage sites in danger. This came during his participation in an event titled 'ISESCO Strategy to Support the Withdrawal of Member States' Properties from the List of World Heritage in Danger,' organised by the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) in cooperation with a number of partners on the sidelines of the 47th session of the World Heritage Committee, held at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris from July 6 to 16. Al Henzab emphasized that protecting endangered sites is a shared international responsibility that requires coordinated action, innovative tools, and strong partnerships. He noted that through this cooperation, 'we can support the final removal of sites from the List of World Heritage in Danger, particularly in ISESCO Member States.' He said that the State of Qatar, through its competent national institutions, is fully committed to this effort, investing in advanced database systems that enhance transparency, accountability, and the protection of cultural property. This enables accurate documentation and monitoring, helping to prevent illicit trafficking, which continues to pose a significant threat to endangered heritage sites. Dr Nasser Al Henzab added, 'We recognise that meaningful progress requires the participation of all stakeholders: heritage institutions, customs, law enforcement authorities, and international organizations. By empowering frontline workers with knowledge and technology, we can better detect and prevent the illicit transfer of cultural assets.' He emphasised Qatar's support for ISESCO's strategy, its efforts to encourage best practices, support regional cooperation, and strengthen preventive frameworks to ensure the survival of threatened sites.
