Preparation for Banteay Chmar temple to be inscribed by Unesco

Provincial authority briefed Unesco officials on Banteay Chmar temple.

Source: Koh Santepheap newspaper
Reported in Khmer by Khmerization

The Cambodian government officials as well provincial authority are making plans in preparation for the application for the inscription of Banteay Chmar temple in the Unesco world heritage list with a seminar planned for 9th August, to be held in the Banteay Meanchey provincial town. The seminar is expected to be attended by 150 government and provincial officials as well as representatives from Unesco.


Governor Oung Oeun showed members of the delegation around the temple.

As a prelude to the seminar, the provincial authority has organised a field trip to the temple so that potential seminarians will gain a first hand view of the state of the temple itself. The delegation to the temple was led by Mr. Oung Oeun, Governor of Banteay Meanchey, and is comprised of a number of conservation, provincial and Unesco officials.

During the field trip, the delegation met with deminers from Centre for Mine Action Committee (CMAC) who are doing mine-clearing works in the areas. Also during the trip, the delegation was briefed by local conservationists that, currently, Banteay Chmar temple is being repaired and conserved under a budget of $750,000 since 2008. Up until now, some minor works had been carried out.

Entrance to the Banteay Chmar temple, guarded by two Garuda heads on either side.

Banteay Chmar temple was built from the 12th to 13th century during the reign of the great King Jayavarman VII. Presently, 90% of the temple had been damaged due to the Cambodian civil war and looting by thieves.

The main temple of the Banteay Chmar complex is 200 metres by 259 metres in size and a man-made lake measuring 800 metres by 850 metres is located nearby. There are other eight satellite temples surrounding the 1.5 kilometres temple complex. There is also a moat, a religious temple and a number of ancient burial sites located nearby.

Signs of repairs at Banteay Chmar being carried out by the Cambodian government.

According to Banteay Chmar conservationists, there are a number of Khmer villagers living very close to the proximity of the temple and they have to be relocated should Banteay Chmar be inscribed as a world heritage site. Other families ,whose homes and livelihood do not affect the temple, will be allowed to stay.