LONDON: The ancient tower soars above the river’s rocky edge in a narrow valley, its elaborate brickwork a testimony to the rich Islamic styles that permeated western Afghanistan eight centuries ago.

It is the Minaret of Jam and, standing 65 metres high, is the second tallest in the world — overshadowed only by Delhi’s Qutb Minar minaret, itself inspired by the Afghan counterpart.

Its significance to the history of Islamic civilization and architecture has secured this 12th century tower a spot on the prestigious World Heritage list drawn up by the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

But grave threats to what is Afghanistan’s first World Heritage site also earn it another dubious distinction — “endangered”.

The Minaret of Jam was not only declared a World Heritage site on June 27, it was also added to UNESCO’s list of World Heritage at Risk. Such a simultaneous declaration has only happened twice before: in 1982 for the old city of Jerusalem, and in 1992 for Cambodia’s Angkor ruins.

UNESCO’s declaration aims to alert the world of the threats to this minaret, which include illegal excavation, looting and water infiltration.

But is it enough?

As UNESCO celebrates the 30th anniversary of the World Heritage Convention, 33 sites wallow on the endangered list — from America’s Everglades wetlands to the Mali city of Timbuktu.

The Convention, which has been signed by 172 countries, aims to protect the world’s culture and history.

The problem is, there’s really no guarantee of protection.

Countries apply to have a feature — whether it be archaeological ruins, a historical building or a natural site — designated a World Heritage site. If approved, the country is supposed to manage and protect the site.

When ongoing threats — such as mining, industrial pollution, looting, war, mismanaged tourism and poaching — arise UNESCO can declare the site at risk, and those sites are entitled to emergency action. The World Heritage in Danger list attempts to persuade the international community to boost protection of these sites.

While countries signing on to the World Heritage Convention promise that “effective and active measures are taken for the protection, conservation and presentation of the cultural and natural heritage”, the reality is that little can be done if they are negligent in their duty.

A country risks having its sites removed from the World Heritage list if it fails to fulfil its obligations — but this has yet to happen.

The World Conservation Union (IUCN), a Geneva-based non- government organization that advises UNESCO on natural sites, endorses international efforts to protect these locations.

“Many of the sites do suffer threats and crises, so it is up to UNESCO and its international partners to raise awareness so that there can be more done,” says David Sheppard, head of IUCN’s protected areas programme.

UNESCO’s designation has already made a difference to some sites, Sheppard notes. The Galapagos Islands, 1,000 kms off Ecuador’s coast, were so threatened by tourism, invasive species and fishing that the IUCN recommended the site be added to the “endangered” list in the ‘90s. Ecuador responded in 1997 by imposing restrictions on immigration and fishing and preparing a management plan.

Other sites haven’t been so lucky. Despite UNESCO’s best efforts and global pressure, five natural parks in the war-torn Democratic Republic of Congo remain at risk.

The UN body’s designation also failed to shield the Croatian port of Dubrovnik in 1991 when Yugoslav forces bombarded the city.

The most disappointing failure in recent years was over the giant Buddha statues carved into a sheer cliff face in Bamiyan, Afghanistan, in the 4th century. Despite repeated entreaties from UNESCO and governments across world, the Taliban blasted the two 5th century statues (standing at 53 metres and 38 metres, respectively) in March 2001.

Unfortunately that doesn’t always happen — and sometimes governments are to blame.

The enigmatic site of Stonehenge — the megalithic circle of ancient stones in Wiltshire, Britain, which earned World Heritage designation in 1986 — is being threatened by government plans to build a tunnel nearby, environmentalists warn.

In India, the elaborate ruins of Hampi — the capital of the last great Hindu Kingdom of Vijayanagar, in the 14th to 16th centuries — faces a modern-day assault. Despite earning World Heritage status in 1986, the government proceeded to build two suspension bridges that threaten the site’s integrity. After repeated requests to halt construction were ignored, UNESCO declared the site “at risk” in 1999.

The International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), which also advises on World Heritage sites, recognizes the limitations of UNESCO’s efforts.

“The World Heritage Convention doesn’t give any particular protection, what it does do is raise the value of the importance of these sites, and puts into place a plan for managing these areas,” ICOMOS secretary Susan Denyer says.

UNESCO maintains that the strength of its efforts lies in boosting awareness of the treasured sites.—Dawn/Gemini News Service.