Sustainable Development: Development Works And Heritage Conservation

Locals in Bagan called for effective implementation of the facts mentioned in the nomination dossier for Bagan which was inscribed on the World Heritage List in last July.

Some key documents include the sustainable tourism strategy, archaeological risk plan, agriculture sector strategy and heritage impact assessment system.

The locals hope to work together with the Regional Government in full operation of these strategies for sustainability of World Heritage status.

Tourist Guide, Kyaw Swe said “After inscription Bagan on the World Heritage List, there are many works to work on not only for conservation of cultural heritage but also for socio-economic development. We, the local residents, are very much eager to work together with the concerned department for these works. But we assumed there are less cooperation with the local organizations.”

Tourist Guide, Naing Tun said “When the nomination dossier was submitted for the World Heritage List, it included Red Zone which is the Property Zone and the Yellow Zone which is called the Buffer Zone. The management plan for these two zones was also submitted along with the dossier. It also mentioned to grant manageable tourism business for socio-economic development of the local residents. We want the local authorities to materialize these facts in soonest time.”

According to the management plan, all hotels and resorts located within the heritage site must be phased out by 2028.

UNESCO also recommends a long-term hotels strategy that identifies zones where hotels can be developed in the future. It also pointed out the importance of Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) and clear decision making processes about development for future development of Bagan. 

Staff Officer, Department of Archaeology and National Museum (Bagan Branch), Dr. Ei Shwe Zin Myint said “After inscription on the World Heritage List, we have to carry out the tasks in line with the Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA). There are development works being carried in Bagan Area. We have to follow HIA procedures in order to reduce the impact on the heritage site.”

At present, all the developments within the protected zones are granted by the Department of Archaeology and National Museum in line with the HIA procedures.

Resident, Taxi Service Provider, San Htwe Aung said “We need to implement conservation tasks while working for the development works. It needs to have balance. We want to create more job opportunities for the families who rely on the tourism industry in a manageable scale.”

In order to protect and preserve cultural heritage regions as well as to create livelihood opportunities for people in the heritage sites, the newly amended Law for Protection and Preservation of Cultural Heritage Regions was enacted in February this year. A local tour guide expressed that full implementation of this law could help for sustainable development of Bagan heritage site.