Nigeria nominates Ancient Kano City Walls and Asociated Sties

http://www.dailytrust.com.ng/daily/news/43656-fg-nominates-kano-for-unesco-world-heri tage-listing

The Magoura cave with drawings from the Bronze Age (Bulgaria)

"speed up much as possible to be entered on the world heritage list" (this sounds like it may not be ready for submission at this moment. no?)

Ancient Kano City Walls and Asociated Sties (Nigeria)

"President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan will soon declare five more sites we selected in the state as national monuments, to further promote the heritage status of this ancient city toward making the UNESCO world heritage sites list," (this sounds like the nomination is just being finalized about which serial components, not necessarily that a nomination dossier is complete.)

Does anyone see anything online about these sites that indicate it actually has submitted a dossier for 2016?

This would be hilarious if its wasn't so sad. While Goodluck Jonathan is manoeuvering with all the patronage and corruption his office can muster to try to get re-elected as President next month, the north of his country, including Kano, is literally burning! His government has lost control of Borno state (only 500kms east of Kano) to Boko Haram and civil government has collapsed.

See these 2 articles about his unpopularity in Kano to see what he is really concerned with regarding the City! -
http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/more-news/174961-jonathan-support-group-accuses-sh ekarau-wali-failing-campaign-president-kano.html
http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/175279-kano-pdp-denies-avoiding-jonathan. html

I very much doubt if anyone in government in Kano is capable of (or actually intending to do so) putting together even an outline Nomination File, for the city and its walls, let alone one with any credibility! All such "announcements" need to be taken in the spirit of the political charade under which they are made! I also doubt if ICOMOS would be prepared to send an Evaluation mission. In late Nov 2014 over 100 people were killed in a bomb blast in the Kano Central Mosque - http://news.yahoo.com/nigeria-kano-mosque-blast-death-toll-above-102-123349833.html



Nigeria's incapability (some suggest also an "unwillingness") to take on Boko Haram doesn't augur well for the future of its control of Kano state as well. UK's Foreign and Commonwealth Office currently advises against ALL travel to Kano City

Back in 1974 I remember visiting Kano. Nigeria was a "difficult" country to travel through even in those days and Nigeria was certainly teetering on the edge of ungovernability but there was some hope following the end of the Biafra War just 4 years earlier. Now one wouldn't bet on any form of peaceful resolution of matters within the foreseeable future. President Jonathan needs to be worrying about far more significant matters if he really has the future of his country at heart.

The Rock Painting of the Mountain Huashan (China)

Another article saying Huashan is the sole candidate for 2016.

http://gx.people.com.cn/n/2015/0121/c179430-23638224.html

Perhaps, Kulangsu and Ancient Tea Plantations of Jingmai Mountain in Pu'er will be nominated for 2017 or 2018?

Turkey already lobbying in Paris for 2016!

http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/one-association-to-lobby-unesco-for-turkish-historic al-assets.aspx?pageID=238&nID=76365&NewsCatID=375

Anyone has news on Turkey? These are the 3 sites for 2016, there are recent reports on Gobeklitepe and Ani, but I have no idea about Mardin, if its making another attempt or not.

• Mardin (Turkey)
• The Archaeological Site of Göbeklitepe (Turkey)
• Historic City of Ani (Tukey)

Also confusing about which site(s) have been submitted for China. Haven't heard anything for a while on the Ancient Tea Plantations nomination, but Kulangsu and Huashan seem to have submitted their respective nominations.

• Kulangsu (China)
• Rock Painting of the Mountain Huashan (China)
• Ancient Tea Plantations of Jingmai Mountain in Pu'er (China) (postponed?)
• Xinjiang Altai Mountains [Extension] (China)

Is India really going to have 4 nominations? Is this possible? Cultural landscape, extension, transnational, etc

• Excavated Remains at Nalanda (India)
• Victorian and Art Deco Ensemble of Mumbai (India)
• Aihole-Badami-Pattadakal [extension] (India)
• Le Corbusier (Argentina, France, Germany, Switzerland, INDIA, Japan)

Seems like the work is not complete yet, but probably aiming for 2017.

http://en.people.cn/n/2015/0123/c98649-8840072.html

India will submit one of these two ( although mumbai is already submitted in complete form). Badami- aihole is not in tentative list. I don't think it will be accepted.

Nothing is certain about these nominations. Chandigarh is almost sure.

However there is an urge to withdraw Delhi and ask to evaluate Golkonda in 2015 (hyderabad). Everything would be clear after some days.

http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/telangana-cm-seeks-inclusion-of-h yderabad-as-unesco-world-heritage-site/

This extension was submitted for 2015 as Incomplete, but I am yet to hear about any further developments. I am not sure how this even could be submitted if it wasn't on the tentative list. It has 27 components and seems likely to have become part of the Hoysala nomination (extension or new nomination)?

Nalanda seems the most likely, but this article mentions a natural nomination as well?

Kangchendzonga National Park

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/nalanda-may-become-world-heritage-site-in-20 16/article1-1310318.aspx

http://www.devbhoomimedia.com/index.php/cuontry/item/2930-sikkim-khangchendzonga-nati onal-park-gets-double-recognition-from-international-agencies.html

Most likely India will send Nalanda , Kangchendzonga as other natural property (Rann of Kutch) is not much active . Le Corbusier(Chandigarh) will also come as a joint nomination.

Gorham's Cave Complex (UK) submitted.

http://www.gbc.gi/news/news-details.php?id=5256