Iran’s
Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organization (ICHTO) will
purchase Jahan Nama Tower which is being constructed in
Isfahan by Islamic Revolutionay Guards in the vicinity of
the city’s ancient landmark Naqsh-e Jahan Square to
ensure that the tower’s height will not exceed the
standard specified by UNESCO.
Vice President and Head of the ICHTO Rahim Mashaei said
that the Government has authorized the purchase of the
tower to meet UNESCO’s requirement for retaining Naqsh-e
Jahan Square on its list of global cultural heritage.
The Persian daily Aftab quoted Mashaei as saying that Iran
has until February 1st to confirm to UNESCO that the
height of the tower will be reduced and set a timetable
for the operation while an extra six-month period will be
given to fulfil UNESCO criteria.
He said that government has decided to help Isfahan
Municipality to offset financial losses by offering to buy
the extra stories as deemed necessary by UNESCO.
Mashaei said that with the cabinet decision the problem of
Jahan Nama is resolved and there is no obstacle to
retaining Naqsh-e Jahan Square on the UNESCO list of
global cultural heritage.
Asked about the Sivand Dam in Fars province, he said that
excavations at Bolaghi Pass will clarify whether or not
construction of the dam should be halted.
He said Ministry of Energy agreed not to submerge ancient
Iranian heritage until mid-March pending a report from
ICHTO to the government about archeological findings from
historical site of Bolaghi Pass.
He said that currently eight international archeological
teams and five Iranian teams are involved in Bolaghi Pass
to draw up a report for the government about the
archeological significance of the site.
He said that unfortunately the archeological importance of
the area was not taken into account when launching
construction operations at Sivand Dam, but, the Ministry
of Energy has agreed to coordinate future construction of
dams elsewhere in the country with the ICHTO.
