GS- Paper- 1 Art& Culture

Context-

• The Saint Hilarion Monestry has been included on the UNESCO List of World Heritage Sites at risk/danger because of the on- going conflict in Gaza.
• At present, the monastery has also suffered a lot of damage due to the Israel-Hamas war.
• In response, the UNESCO Committee for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict has granted the site “provisional enhanced protection,” which is the highest level of immunity under the 1954 Hague Convention.

About Saint Hilarion Monastery

• Located on the coastal dunes of the Nuseirat Municipality, just 10 km south of Gaza City.
• It is an ancient Christian monastery established in the fourth century by Hilarion the Great (291-371 CE).
• Also known as the ‘Monastery of Saint Hilarion,’ it was the first monastic community in the Holy Land and laid the foundation for the expansion of monastic practices in the region.
• The monastery was strategically positioned at the crossroads of key trade and communication routes between Asia and Africa.
• Its remains are more than four centuries old. It has five churches, a bath-house and a huge sanctuary. There is also a huge basement. Small ashrams were built in the monastery with mud bricks. These remains were soon destroyed.
• This monastery disappeared after the earthquake in Gaza in the seventh century. Later in 1999, it was discovered by archaeologists. In 2012, it was included in the list of World Watch Monuments. In December 2023 UNESCO placed the monastery on the Provisional Advanced Conservation List.

Gaza’s “Tell Umm Amer” as a World Heritage site is significant for several reasons:

• Cultural Preservation: “Tell Umm Amer” is an important archaeological site that offers valuable insights into ancient civilizations, and its World Heritage status helps ensure its preservation and protection.
• Political and Social Impact: Recognizing its historical significance through World Heritage status can alter the narrative, promoting a greater emphasis on its cultural and historical contributions rather than solely on its on-going issues.
• Tourism and Economic Opportunities: Can enhance tourism and support the local economy. It creates opportunities for educational and cultural interactions, which can positively impact the economy and increase global appreciation for Gaza’s history and heritage.
• Diplomatic and Symbolic Significance: It symbolizes recognition of their cultural legacy and may serve as a step toward fostering peace and dialogue through cultural understanding.

The List of World Heritage in Danger

• UNESCO, compile the List of World Heritage in Danger through its World Heritage Committee.
• Created under Article 11.4 of the 1972 World Heritage Convention, this list highlights World Heritage Sites facing serious threats and in need of substantial conservation efforts.
• The list aims to increase global awareness of these threats and to promote protective actions.

Criteria for Listing– Entries on the list include World Heritage Sites facing either confirmed imminent threats or potential risks that could negatively impact their preservation, here is some criteria for listing:-

• Natural Sites: Identified threats include significant declines in endangered species, degradation of natural beauty, or loss of scientific value due to human activities such as logging, pollution, settlement, mining, and agriculture.
• Cultural Sites: Recognized threats involve severe deterioration of materials, structures, or architectural integrity, as well as loss of historical authenticity or cultural importance.
• Potential risks from development projects, armed conflicts, insufficient management systems, or changes in legal protection.
•  Cultural sites might also be gradually threatened by changes in geology, climate, or the environment.

The World Heritage Committee used the emergency inscription procedure provided for in the World Heritage Convention.

Benefits of Inscription

• Prompt Help: Adding a site to the List of World Heritage in Danger allows the World Heritage Committee to offer prompt support from the World Heritage Fund to tackle the threats affecting the property.
• International Awareness: The listing raises awareness among the global community about the site’s endangered status, fostering collaborative efforts to address the problems and safeguard the property.
• Conservation Response: The potential for inscription can accelerate conservation efforts. Being listed enables a focused response to specific preservation challenges, often resulting in effective interventions.

Impact and Criticism

• In some instances, designating a site as endangered has led to successful conservation initiatives and funding, as demonstrated by the Galápagos Islands and Yellowstone National Park.
• “Nevertheless, the listing process and UNESCO’s methods have been criticized. Member states and other interested parties have challenged the Committee’s authority to designate a site as endangered without their approval.”
•  In the past, States Parties had to present corrective actions before a site could be added to the list.
• Critics contend that the list is sometimes utilized for political reasons and that extended listings may not always represent the most effective approach to conservation.
• International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has pointed out that UNESCO has occasionally cited the danger list in situations where the State Party could address threats without the need for formal listing.

Conclusion:-

Overall, this development is newsworthy because it underscores the importance of preserving global heritage amidst on-going conflicts and provides a platform for highlighting the cultural and historical significance of the region.

Source- Indian Express, The Hindu, UNESCO Heritage Site