Royal Decree establishing Protected Cultural Zones in the Siem Reap/Angkor Region and Guidelines for their Management

001/NS

We,

Preah Bat Samdech Preah Norodom Sihanouk Varman Rajbarivong Ubhato Socheathi Visothipong Akamohaborohrathn Nikarodom Dhamikmoharaja Thiraj Boromaneath Borombopithr Preah Chau Krung Kampuchea Thipadei, having regard to:

• the Constitution of the Kingdom of Cambodia,
• the Royal Decree of 24 October 1993 appointing the First Prime Minister and the Second Prime Minister,
• the Royal Decree of 1 November 1993 establishing the Royal Government,
• the proposal to register the Angkor monuments on the World Heritage List,
• the proposal of the Council of Ministers,

Order

Part 1 Zoning and management of the Siem Reap/Angkor area: classification of protected cultural sites

Article 1:

It is hereby decided to control the development of the Siem Reap region by means of a zoning plan.

Article 2:

The cultural sites listed in this plan benefit from five national categories of protected sites with different levels of protection:

• Zone 1: Monumental Sites.
• Zone 2: Protected Archaeological Reserves.
• Zone 3: Protected Cultural Landscapes.
• Zone 4: Sites of Archaeological, Anthropological or Historic Interest.
• Zone 5: The socio-economic and cultural development zone of the Siem Reap/Angkor Region.

Article 3:

Zone 1: Monumental Sites are areas which contain the most significant archaeological sites in the country and, therefore, deserve the highest level of protection. They may be quite small areas, but in the case of Angkor, large areas will be managed under this category, given the density and importance of the monuments and archaeological remains in the region.

Article 4:

Zone 2: Protected Archaeological Reserves are areas rich in archaeological remains which need to be protected from harmful land use practices and the consequences of inappropriate development. They will most frequently surround monumental sites, providing protection to adjacent areas of known or likely archaeological importance, much of which, in most cases, may not be obviously visible above ground. The principle use of zones in this category will be to act as buffer zones protecting the monumental sites.

Article 5:

Zone 3: Protected Cultural Landscapes are areas with the characteristics of a landscape that should be protected on account of its traditional appearance, land use practices, varied habitats, historic building, or man-made features from the past or of recent origin, that contribute to the cultural value or reflect traditional life styles and patterns of land use. Cultural landscapes may also safeguard viewpoints and relationships between significant features which contribute to their historic or aesthetic value. Protected Cultural Landscapes are subject to regulations controlling harmful or disruptive activities.

Article 6:

Zone 4: Sites of Archaeological, Anthropological or Historic interest include all other important archaeological sites, but of less significance than Monumental Sites, that need to be safeguarded for the purposes of research, education or tourist interest. Activities in these sites and areas are subject to regulation. The regulations are similar to those applying to the Protected Archaeological Reserves.

Article 7:

Zone 5: Socio-economic and Cultural Development Zone of the Siem Reap/Angkor Region: this region covers the whole Siem Reap province. Guidelines will be provided in order to encourage sustainable development and assess its impact on the environment, with a view to preserving the cultural and natural heritage.

Part 2 Directives for the protected zones of Angkor

Article 8:

Development The following guidelines are provided in connection with the development of the zones:

a - All protected cultural sites (zones 1, 2, 3, 4, 5) .

• Establish procedures for the review and approval of development projects in the Siem Reap/Angkor Region .
• Ensure that the projects are accompanied by an evaluation of their im-pacts on the environment, include an alternative project and are planned so as to minimize adverse effects.
• Incorporate an archaeological study of the zones concerned in any as-sessment of environmental impact.
• Undertake, if necessary, emergency archaeological excavations before de-velopment work is started.

b - zone 1:

Prohibit development in Monumental Sites, with the exception of dev-lopment essential for the protection and enhancement of the sites.

c - zone 2:

Prohibit development, with the exception of development essential for the protection and enhancement of the archaeological sites, or for the preservation of local lifestyles.

Article 9: Archaeology

The following guidelines are provided in connection with archaeological activities:

a - All protected cultural sites (zones 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)

• Impose a moratorium on all archaeological excavations until a system of permits has been established and guidelines laid down.
• Set up a program of detailed archaeological records in the Siem Reap/Angkor Region.
• Establish an inventory of archaeological sites in the Siem Reap/Angkor Region and include it in the Geographical Information System (GIS).
• Make sure that all existing or new information about the archaeological sites and monuments is included in the inventory and the GIS.
• Draw up criteria and a program for designating sites as points of archaeological, anthropological or historic interest.
• Draw up guidelines and model management agreements for these sites, so as to make provision for archaeological research and educational or leisure activities.
• Draw up criteria and a program for the designation of protected cultural landscapes, and guidelines and policies for the management of those landscapes so as to make provision for archaeological research and educational or leisure activities .
• Establish a " management presence " (e.g. employ local guards) in order to maintain and protect each designated site.

b- zone 1:

Provide strict protection for the territory of monumental sites and manage it so as to make provisions for archaeological research and educational or leisure activities.

c- zone 2: .

• Provide strict protection for all archaeological sites and for remains on the surface and under the ground.
• Control and manage activities that could have harmful effects on these archaeological sites.

Article 10: Management of Visitors

The following guidelines are provided for the management of visitors:

a - All protected cultural sites (zones 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)

• Allow the public a controlled right of access for the purposes of archaeo-logical research, educational and leisure activities.
• Plans and management guidelines should be drawn up for visitors access, to include opening times, cost of entry and the provision of any necessary facilities.

b - zone 1:

• Limit and regulate access by visitors.
• Show in a visible way that the management authority is present in order to inform, guide, ensure security, and provide basic services to the visi-tors.
• Fix the entry price at a level that can generate sufficient income for conservation work and site management.
• Lay down limits for the number and size of groups of visitors so as to maintain the quality of the visit and protect the monuments.
• Ensure strict control of access by car, ban coaches, impose a speed limit and introduce restrictions regarding car parks.

c - zone 2:

• Ban through traffic in the reserves.
• Improve access roads for residents, avoiding the Monumental Sites.
• Keep the visitors' reception facilities and car parks in one place inside the reserves.
• Construct new roads in order to create a circuit around the monumental site of Siem Reap/Angkor, and rewrite highway number 6 around the monumental site of Roluos.

Article 11: Tourist facilities

The following guidelines are provided regarding tourist facilities:

a - All protected cultural sites (zones 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)

Regulations will have to be observed and permits will be needed for any tourist facilities in the protected cultural sites.

b - zone 1:

• Authorize only the smallest possible number of constructions for visitors on isolated sites (food and refreshment stands, pedestrian paths, bicycle stands and minibus stops).
• Impose restrictions regarding car parks.
• Make arrangements enabling visitors to observe the archaeological excavations and restoration works in progress.

c - zone 2:

• Minimize the adverse impact of tourism on the local communities.
• Provide small-scale facilities and craft centers in order to offer economic opportunities to the residents.

Article 12: Presentation of Cultural Sites

The following guidelines are provided regarding the presentation of cultural sites:

a - All protected cultural sites (zones 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)

• Draw up a plan for presenting the archaeology, the nature conservation zones and the local traditions of the Siem Reap/Angkor Region.
• Set up a reception center outside the protected sites in order to provide visitors with an introduction to the cultural heritage of Angkor.

b - zone 1:

Organize guided visits and set up descriptive panels on individual sites.

c - zone 2:

Describe the local life-styles and characteristic features such as the Siem Reap river, the view from the top of Phnom Krom, or craft production.

Article 13: Stone Quarries

The following guidelines are provided regarding the exploitation of the stone quarries.

a- All protected cultural sites (zones 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)

• Authorize the exploitation of laterite and sandstone quarries in the protec-ted sites only for the extraction of the stone needed for the restoration of protected remains, and only after an assessment of the impact on the environment has been made.
• The exploitation of the clay and stone quarries, used to provide material for road construction in the protected sites, should be prohibited.

Article 14: Water Management

The following guidelines are provided regarding water management.

a- All protected cultural sites (zones 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)

• Undertake the partial restoration of the old hydraulic structures and water management systems by means of irrigation works accompanied by a new and improved system of management.
• If such restoration is impossible, avoid harm being caused to the archaeo-logical remains by new technologies and structures.

b - zone 1:

• Maintain the old, traditional rice fields.
• Exercise strict control over the replacement of structures.

c - zone 2:

Develop limited and small-scale irrigation in order to increase agricultural productivity and the residents' self-sufficiency, without prejudicing archaeological work.

Article 15: Management of landscapes

The following guidelines are provided regarding the management of landscapes:

a - All protected cultural sites (zones 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)

• Ensure that development protects and improves the cultural values of the landscapes.
• Ensure that policies and detailed guidelines concerning the management of landscapes will be included in site management plans and activities.

b - zone 1:

• Create an authentic way of presenting the archaeology by means of suitable landscapes.
• Maintain the natural forest and forest landscapes, and plant decorative trees.
• Landscape the areas around the monuments. c - zone 2:
• Create a forest buffer zone between the Angkor Conservation Office and the temple of Angkor Wat.
• Enhance the landscape by means of agricultural improvements and by the application of physical planning.

Article 16:

Management of natural resources The following guidelines are provided regarding the management of natural resources:

a - All protected cultural sites (zones 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)

• Manage the forests and wooded areas so as to increase biological diversity.
• Manage the flora and fauna so as to preserve and increase the varieties of wildlife.
• The cutting of wood in the protected sites should be regulated.

b - zone 1:

• Regenerate the native forest and wooded land.
• Care for the trees around the monuments.
• Create a botanical garden and forest paths.
• Maintain traditional land use in the form of rice paddies and pasture.

c - zone 2:

• Undertake a large program for the planting of trees native to the region.
• Encourage the planting of crops of higher value (orchards and vegetable gardens) around villages.

Article 17: Local Residents

The following guidelines are provided regarding the local residents:

a - All protected cultural sites (zones 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)

Give residents of the protected sites priority of employment in the matters of site management and preservation work.

b - zone 1:

• Residential uses should be prohibited.
• Assistance should be given to residents for their relocation, in particular by providing them with land and building materials for their houses and community facilities.
• Residents should be given priority for trading permits/concessions on the sites.

c - zone 2:

• Preserve all the old villages.
• Prohibit the expansion of build-up areas.
• Ensure that any new development of existing properties conforms to traditional styles.
• Assist the development of essential community facilities and encourage small-scale tourist facilities linked with village life.

Article 18: Pagodas

The following guidelines are provided regarding the pagodas:

a - All protected cultural sites (zones 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)

• Show regard for religious associations and maintain the old pagodas.
• Discourage any activity affecting the surface of the ground.
• Encourage traditional training activities.

b - zone 1:

• Allow no new pagodas or religious facilities in the monuments.
• Prohibit any overnight stays except in the monasteries of Bakong, Angkor Wat and Lolei.

c- zone 2:

Introduce regulations governing the siting and external appearance of new pagodas constructed in the villages.

Article 19: Industry and Commerce

The following guidelines are provided regarding industrial and commercial activities:

a - All protected cultural sites (zones 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)

Prohibit industrial and commercial development within the protected sites, with exception of small scale-activities associated with the maintenance and protection of cultural landscapes and archaeological reserves.

b - zone 2:

• Set up craft workshops in existing villages or in the visitors' reception centers.
• Encourage small craft industries and the production of good quality souvenirs.

Article 20: Electricity cables.

The following guidelines are provided regarding electricity cables:

All protected cultural sites (zones 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)

• No high-tension electric cables are to be allowed to cross the protected sites.
• Low-tension cables for the local supply of electricity should be unobtrusive.

Article 21: Environmental awareness

The following guidelines are provided regarding activities to encourage environmental awareness:

All protected cultural sites (zones 1, 2, 3, 4, 5) .Undertake programs to make local people and visitors more aware of the importance of the cultural heritage, and of environmental matters.

Article 22: Training

The following guidelines are provided regarding training:

All protected cultural sites (zones 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)

• Train laborers for work on excavations and restoration activities.
• Train park keepers and maintenance staff.
• Train archaeologists, architects specializing in restoration work and other professionals in the field of the management of the cultural heritage.

Article 23:

All provisions contrary to the present Royal Decree shall be considered null and void.

Article 24:

The First Prime Minister and Second Prime Minister, the Royal Government of Cambodia, the Minister of State for Culture and Fine Arts, Territorial Management, Urban Planning and Construction, Ministers and State Secretaries shall be responsible for the execution of the present Royal Decree.

Article 25:

This Royal Decree shall come into effect from the date of its signature by the King.

Phnom Penh, 28 May 1994

Signed: Norodom Sihanouk