Bagan pursues World Heritage status

BAGAN  Myanmar’s Ministry of Culture is going ahead with preparations to bid for UNESCO World Heritage status for Bagan’s ancient temples.
Irrawaddy media quoted the ministry’s deputy minister, Sandar Khin, saying the ministry would undertake a comprehensive data collection project in the Bagan Archaeological Zone, which covers about 42 sq km (16 miles) and has more than 3,000 pagodas.
Maintenance and historical records for all pagodas, stupas and other religious edifices will be collected to determine how many structures remain in their original form and what preservation work might be needed.
The ministry estimated that only 400 structures remain unchanged.
inside no 1However, the deputy minister did not say exactly when the data collection project will begin saying only that it would take considerable time to complete, the report said.

The governments of Japan and Italy are offering assistance and providing financial support to increase security on the site and help with the data processing, she added.
Myanmar has nominated 14 sites for inclusion on the World Heritage List, including Mandalay’s ancient kingdoms and Mrauk U in Arakan State. So far, just the ancient cities of Pyi has been added to the prestigious list.
Experts estimate it could take around two years to get the Bagan bid approved by the UNESCO board that considers applications just once a year at its annual general meeting.
Bagan is an ancient city located in Mandalay Region built between the 9th and 11th centuries, when some 55 Buddhist kings ruled the Bagan Dynasty.

sourced:ttrweekly.com