Saving Our Vanishing Heritage Asia’s Heritage in Peril May 2012 SAVING OUR VANISHING HERITAGE, MAY 2012 In this report, Global Heritage Fund (GHF) highlights 10 of Asiaʼs most significant archaeological and heritage sites facing irreparable loss and destruction due to five accelerating man-made threats: development pressures, unsustainable tourism, insufficient management, looting, and war and conflict. The report was developed by GHF experts based on extensive field research, with additional contributions from members of Global Heritage Network (GHN), a new early warning and threat monitoring system that combines satellite imaging and social networking. Criteria for the list — which represents only a selection of the hundreds of endangered cultural heritage sites across Asia and the developing world — was based on GHFʼs 2010 study, Saving Our Vanishing Heritage, which surveyed 500 major sites in developing countries to evaluate current loss and destruction, conservation and development. Each of the 10 sites documented in Asiaʼs Heritage in Peril represents a vast, untapped economic opportunity for its host nation and local communities in need. International and domestic tourism to major archaeological and heritage sites has soared over the past ten years: from $8 billion to over $25 billion in annual revenues, according to the Vanishing report. By 2025, GHF estimates that global heritage sites in the worldʼs poorest countries will generate over $100 billion annually, while creating millions of new jobs and business opportunities — but only if current trends of loss and destruction are reversed. Also included are three GHF Success Stories: Banteay Chhmar, Cambodia; Pingyao Ancient City, China; and Wat Phu, Laos. These ongoing conservation projects, which incorporate GHFʼs integrated Preservation By Design methodology of long-range planning, conservation science, community engagement, and monitoring and evaluation, demonstrate the power of cultural heritage as a basis for sustainable development. ON THE VERGE: Global Heritage Site Significance Threats Ayutthaya, Thailand “Venice of the East,” Former Natural Disasters/Flooding, Siamese Capital Insufficient Management Fort Santiago and Historic Fortresses of the Insufficient Management, Intramuros, Philippines Philippines Development Pressures Kashgar, China One of Chinaʼs Last Intact Silk Development Pressures Road Cities Mahasthangarh, Bangladesh One of South Asiaʼs Earliest Insufficient Management, Urban Archaeological Sites Development Pressures, Looting Mes Aynak, Afghanistan Ancient Buddhist Monasteries on Development Pressures, the Silk Road Insufficient Management, Looting, War and Conflict Myauk-U, Myanmar Capital City of the First Development Pressures, Arakenese Kingdom Insufficient Management, Natural Disasters Plain of Jars, Laos Megalithic Archaeological Insufficient Management, War Landscape with Mysterious and Conflict Origins Preah Vihear, Cambodia Picturesque Masterpiece of War and Conflict, Natural Khmer Architecture Disasters Rakhigarhi, India One of the Largest and Oldest Development Pressures, Indus Sites in the World Insufficient Management, Looting Taxila, Pakistan Former Crossroads of Industry in Insufficient Management, the Ancient Middle East Development Pressures, Looting, War and Conflict GHF SUCCESS STORIES: Global Heritage Site Significance Threats Banteay Chhmar, Cambodia Birthplace of Famous Khmer Looting, Neglect, Development Face Towers Pressures, Vegetation Pingyao Ancient City, China Chinaʼs First Banking Capital Neglect, Development Pressures, Mass Tourism Wat Phu, Laos Sacred Temple Complex of Neglect, Natural Disasters Khmer Kings ASIAʼS HERITAGE IN PERIL, MAY 2012 - 2 AYUTTHAYA, THAILAND “Venice of the East,” Former Siamese Capital A temple surrounded by floodwaters in the ancient capital city of Ayutthaya in October 2011. Photo: Christophe Archambault SIGNIFICANCE Founded in 1350, Ayutthaya became the second Siamese capital after Sukhothai and was one of the most important economic and trade centers of the region. It remained the capital until it was destroyed by the Burmese army in 1767. The remaining ruins, noted for their towers and gigantic monasteries, give modern generations a sense of its past splendor. In 1976, the remains became a historical park, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991. THREATS Natural Disaster/Flooding: Ayutthaya is an island city on Chao Praya River, and flooding over the past two decades has resulted in structural damage and eroded the soil foundations of many of its temples. In 2011, major floods damaged 158 historic monuments and caused the closure of hundreds of factories. Culture Minister Sukumol Kunplome estimated that the flood damage over six weeks was comparable to the accumulated water erosion damage sustained over centuries. Insufficient Management: The Government of Thailand allocates all finances used in the management and preservation of the historic city. Historically, this budget has not met the amount requested by conservationists, and it has been deemed necessary to apply for ASIAʼS HERITAGE IN PERIL, MAY 2012 - 3 additional funding from other international funding agencies. In 2012, Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra announced a budget of around $162 million to implement new “flagship” water management and flood prevention projects, with around $25 million allocated specifically for repairing and strengthening ancient sites. The effectiveness of these new initiatives remains to be seen. URGENCY With 284 factories still closed and more than 160,000 people out of work, Thailandʼs tourism industry — which relies heavily on sites like Ayutthaya — has become an increasingly important part of the countryʼs economy. Rehabilitating damaged sites, reinforcing standing ones, and focusing on flood prevention measures will be crucial to the continued resurgence and long-term success of Thailandʼs tourism industry. Wat Suwan Chedi shortly after receding of the October 2011 floods: Photo: GHF Click here to explore Ayutthaya on GHN ASIAʼS HERITAGE IN PERIL, MAY 2012 - 4 FORT SANTIAGO AND INTRAMUROS, PHILIPPINES Historic Fortresses of the Philippines Teenagers play basketball within the ruins of Intramurosʼ San Ignacio Church, which was mostly destroyed during World War II. Photo: Ville Miettinen SIGNIFICANCE Intramuros was built by the Spanish in the 16th century AD, and is the oldest district of the city of Manila, the capital of the Philippines. The Latin translation of Intramuros means “within the walls” and refers to the enclosure of the fortress, as the structure was surrounded by high walls and moats. Fort Santiago is a defense fortress built into the city walls of Santiago, and was constructed for Spanish conquistador Miguel Lopez de Legazpi. Much of Intramuros was severely damaged or destroyed by the US Air Force during World War II. Intramuros endured heavy shelling, and by the end of the conflict, the only untouched structure was the San Agustin Church. Intramuros became a special historic zone in 1979, and during the 1980s the Intramuros Administration spearheaded a major restoration. The walled city is now the only district of Manila where Spanish-era influences have remained. Fort Santiago is now a museum that houses well-preserved legacies of the Spanish government. THREATS Modernization: Although much of the modern development that has changed the face of Manila has occurred outside the walls of Intramuros, several major chains have opened outlets inside ASIAʼS HERITAGE IN PERIL, MAY 2012 - 5 the fortress walls, including Starbucks and McDonaldʼs. Additionally, the old moats that originally surrounded Intramuros have since been filled and converted into a golf course. Development Pressures: Intramuros is currently managed by the Intramuros Authority and the Department of Tourism. The City of Manila, meanwhile, has been positioning itself to regain control of Intramuros without providing a specific statement as to why they want to become its caretakers again. There is rampant speculation that the city wishes to capitalize on Intramurosʼ real estate potential, replacing the heritage and history with high rises and malls. Insufficient Management: Concerns have been voiced over the years about the appearance of Intramuros; the interior has often looked shabby or in poor condition, with poor lighting in many dark areas of the city. As a result, administration is worried that tourists will steer clear of the heritage site due to safety concerns. URGENCY If nothing is done to assert Intramurosʼ right to preserve its rich heritage, there is a strong likelihood that it will be soon overrun by rampant commercialism. If indeed this happens, all the efforts to rebuild this jewel of Manila after its destruction in World War II will have been in vain. The modern skyline of Manila looms behind the centuries-old fortification wall of Intramuros along the Pasig River. Photo: GHF Click here to explore Intramuros on GHN ASIAʼS HERITAGE IN PERIL, MAY 2012 - 6 KASHGAR, CHINA One of the Last Intact Silk Road Cities in China 85 percent of Kashgarʼs old city is expected to be destroyed by the end of 2012. Photo: Fred Chiang SIGNIFICANCE At one time an important oasis on the Silk Road, Chinaʼs Kashgar prefecture has existed for centuries as a unique and historic region set far apart from the rest of the country. Situated along Chinaʼs westernmost edge, bordering Afghanistan and Pakistan, Kashgar Cityʼs population is around 350,000 and consists mainly of Muslim Uyghurs. Home to Chinaʼs largest mosque and the tomb of Abakh