Countdown starts for Diyarbak?r's World Heritage site bid

Site preparations have finished in Turkey?s eastern province of Diyarbak?r, whose ancient sites may soon receive world heritage status. The 5,700-meter long and 12-meter high historical walls, along with the 700-hectare Hevsel Gardens, which are a like an open-air museum and symbol of the city, are waiting for UNESCO?s World Heritage status decision.  

The process for the U.N. Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) candidacy started in 2000 and has sped up in the past three years. The checkpoints on the path to UNESCO World Heritage status have been reached one by one; books and brochures have been published in various languages and documentaries have been made featuring the UNESCO process.  

Students and teachers at schools have also been educated about the city?s cultural heritage and UNESCO process. 

The 39th committee session of UNESCO started on June 28 in the western German city of Bonn and will continue until July 8.

Chief of the Diyarbak?r Citadel and the Walls Department Nevin Soyukaya said after Diyarbak?r?s candidacy had been recognized by UNESCO, officials from the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) had examined the structure and decided to reinforce its infrastructure. 

She said all large projects had been canceled to prevent the destruction of the heritage field and added, ?The 3 [hydroelectric powerplant] projects were canceled. The Dicle Valley project was also suspended. The cancelation of the decision that Hevsel and Dicle Valley are not agricultural areas is also in question. These are very serious steps taken for the protection of the field during the UNESCO process.?

Soyukaya said that a scientific council on the walls had been formed by the ministry,...