The indigenous structure of eco-tourism in Laos is among one of the UNESCO World
Heritage Site. It is an ancient temple and UNESCO World Heritage site is in the Champasak
Province of southern Laos. This is a prehistoric religious centre on the south bank of the
Mekong River, one of the oldest centres of cult in Southeast Asia.
Historical Significance
Vat Phou was established in the 10th century CE and specifically for the worship of the Lord
Shiva. The temple complex was built at the foot of Mount Phou Kao and so was closely
related to the geographical landscape which was followed by architectural stylings. Earliest
built as a Hindu temple complex and then gradually expanded and changed throughout the
centuries as the region switched from Hinduism to Buddhism of the Theravada branch,
where it stands today.
Architectural Marvel
The temple complex in question is another example of outstanding architecture of the Khmer
Empire. The site has more than twenty levels connected by cascading stairs covered with the
Frangipani tree all the way from the Mekong River to the mountain. Alone the way one can
see palace ruins with beautiful constructed galleries, and the final shelter is at the main
sanctuary providing the excellent view.
Cultural Landscape
Vat Phou is situated within the area or the Champasak Cultural Landscape that comprises of
habitation and geographical terrains. The site is positioned within geometric context that
define architectonic structures and counter-part in natural environment. This integration
makes a beautiful combination of work of man and the work of nature.
Religious Importance
Originally the temple occupies the central part of the area and at its heart there was a spring
and a place for the cult of the protecting spirit. The primary shrine was a linga set in water
from the mountain source and represents the incarnation of the earthly and heavenly realms.
In the present time, people go to Vat Phou for religious visit in Theravada Buddhism and to
make a tour.
The temple architecture of Vat Phou
Khmer architectural style location The Laos province of Champasak is home to the Vat Phou
temple complex. Founded in the 10th century the architectural style of the temple has been
the most affected by Hindu cosmology and the topography.
Layout and Structure
The temple complex consists for three primary tiers extending from the river’s edge of the
Mekong River to the summit of Mount Phou Kao. The layout is sequential and constructed as
corresponding to the mountain axis, which embodied the paradigmatic journey from the
terrestrial to the celestial realm.
- Lower Terrace: Vat Phou’s architectural plan starts with ascending a stairway to reach the lower terrace. There are namely two large rectangular Basins or barays of this region on either side of the promenade. These barays are meant for supplying water for bath and hence are intended to represent the oceans circumventing Mount Meru, the holy center of the Hindu cosmos.
- Middle Terrace: The middle terrace is accessible through a stairway accompanied by balustrades with depictions of mythical naga. This terrace has the ruined of two laterite and sandstone architecture that are thought to have represented palaces or administrative centres. These structures have many common features of Khmer architecture like small elaborate carvings on the lintels and doors.
- Upper Terrace: The top level accommodates the main shrine overlooking natural spring water considered to have religious significance. It has been constructed with sand stone and is a sanctum with a structure for the worship of Shiva as Aadi Sesha Lingam. The exterior and the internal wooden interior part is carved with images of Hindu gods, scenes from the Ramayana, and flower patterns.
Integration with Nature
It is, however, worthy to note that architecture that was presented at Vat Phou has very
closely connected with the natural environment of that region. Facing this temple towards
Mount Phou Kao which naturally provides the background for the site contributes to the
sacred atmosphere of the temple needed.
A lot of information about the history of the Khmer empire and the culture of ancient
Southeast Asia may be found on this site. The blending of the park with the natural cultural
setting, history, and constant efforts to preserve the physical nature make it a core UNESCO
world heritage site.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Preserving Global Heritage
A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a location that has been acknowledged by the United
Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for its exceptional
cultural or physical importance. These are thought to be of very great importance to the
world and are legally preserved by intergovernmental conventions. At present, there are
1,100 + world heritage sites that are located in over 160 nations, which show the extended
cultural and physical diversities present on earth.
World Heritage Sites plays significant importance in the society
The notion of World Heritage Sites was founded in 1972 with the signing of the Convention
on the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage. This convention seeks to
promote the conservation of buildings of great importance to the mankind so that they are
kept for generations to come. It has three major parts:
- Cultural Heritage: This classification consists of monuments, groups of buildings or sites of interest because of historical, artistic, archaeological, scientific, ethnological, or anthropological significance. Example: the Great wall of China.
- Natural Heritage: Includes natural, geological, and physiographical characteristics, as well as natural areas, artefacts, or locations of aesthetic, scientific, or conservation importance. These include the Galápagos Islands in Ecuador, the USA's Grand Canyon, and Australia's Great Barrier Reef.
- Mixed Heritage: It has both the Natural and Cultural Significance. Example: Vat Phou
Criteria for Listing
In order to be included on the list of World Heritage Sites, a place has to satisfy at least one
of the ten criteria elaborated by UNESCO. These are listed as:
Cultural Criteria:
- Criterion (i): Endow with certain aesthetic characteristics representing a masterpiece of human creative genius. Example: The Parthenon on the Acropolis of Athens Greece.
- Criterion (ii): Cultivate an important transfer of human values within a period or a region. Example: Rome, Italy.
- Criterion (iii): Be a witness, or at least a particularly valuable witness, to a cultural practice or to a culture or civilization. Example: The most appealing ancient site as a piece of nature tourist attraction: the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu in Peru.
- Criterion (iv): Convey a model, or loose, of some form of architecture, architectural compound or assemblage, or land use. Example: Loire Valley castles of France.
- Criterion (v): Be an excellent example of cultural human landscape, land or sea utilization.Example: Montado Cultural Landscape.
- Criterion (vi): Be connected or related either physically or symbolically with events or be truly linked with living traditions, ideas, beliefs and artistic and literary masterpieces. Example: The Hiroshima Peace Memorial (Genbaku Dome), Japan.
Natural Criteria:
- Criterion (vii): Include super-salient natural features or networks of aesthetic natural significance, representing the planet’s most valuable natural protection zone. Example: The Northern Lights in the Arctic Ocean region.
- Criterion (viii): Be exemplary and hence cover the following areas, Record of major phases in the history of the Earth, Life and Major on-going geologic processes, significant geographical forms or land forms. Example: The Grand Canyon National Park in USA.
- Criterion (ix): Be exceptional examples of extensive continuing biotic and ecological phenomena. Example: Serengeti National Park Tanzania.
- Criterion (x): comprise the most valuable and expansive bio-geographical zones for the preservation of biological production in situ. Example: The Sundarbans.
Process of Nomination
The process of inscribing a site as a World Heritage Site involves several steps:
- Tentative List: The overview of this fact described that a country must first nominate its important properties under a Tentative List. It is a list before submitting the application for inclusion to the World Heritage List and shows properties that a country plans for listing within five to ten years.
- Nomination File: Detailed nomination file is written and provided showing all aspects of the site’s outstanding universal value and how the criteria is met, one or all of it. The types are maps, photos and management plans of the site with information as to how the latter will be protected and developed.
- Evaluation: The nomination is reviewed by two consultative agencies, the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) for cultural properties, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) for natural ones. These bodies offer professional opinions.
- World Heritage Committee: The World Heritage Committee includes representatives of 21 countries elected at the General Assembly of States Parties, examines the nominations and advisory bodies. There are occasional one-year meetings in order to discuss the inscription of the site on the World Heritage List.
- Inscription: If the committee is convinced that a site belongs to the territories containing outstanding universal value, it is included into the list.
Challenges and Conservation
Many problems affect World Heritage Sites to diminish its value and at the same time put
the site’s conservation at risk. These range from cities and towns expansion, increased
tourism, pollution, climatic variability, and wars. In order to overcome these challenges,
UNESCO engages the governments, community and global stakeholders in the formulation
and implementation of conservation and management strategies.
It often offers funds for the preservation programmes while International Assistance
Programme offers skills and organisational development programmes. Further, UNESCO
promotes sustainable tourism practices because while tourism brings some benefits there are
requirements to protect the heritage character of the sites.
Conclusion
These are not ordinary interesting places and marvels; they are part of our human story and
history. They embody the cultural and natural cultural and biological heritage of mankind
and help spearhead multinational cooperation. As these candidate sites conform to stringent
test and go through a very intricate assessment of criteria, the world recognizes them as with
extraordinary world significance and are worthy of being conserved for future generations.
By collective strenuous and international cooperation it is possible to guarantee that these
assets remain accessible for people in forming their impressions and commendations where
people can value and promote the cultural diversity.