Uzbek Hill moves toward world heritage registration
The head of the Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Department of Nazarabad in Alborz Province, Ehsan Belali, said that the historic Uzbek Hill, due to its unique archaeological and cultural values, has been placed on the list of sites eligible for World Heritage registration.
Accordingly, plans are underway to launch a comprehensive research project aimed at documentation, principled conservation, scientific restoration, and the development of sustainable tourism at the site.
Emphasizing the special status of Uzbek Hill in the region’s history, Belali stated that the site is one of the most important and prominent archaeological locations in the region. He noted that its valuable layers contain rare information about the process of civilization formation in this part of the Iranian Plateau.
“Therefore, the protection and proper preservation of this site is not merely an administrative or local duty, but a national and intergenerational responsibility,” he said.
Referring to measures taken in recent years, Belali added that, with the continuous cooperation of national and provincial experts and specialized forces, several restoration projects have been implemented to stabilize structures, prevent erosion, and ensure the physical protection of the site. Alongside these efforts, regular site cleaning, organization of access routes, control of human-induced damage, and proper information dissemination to visitors have also been seriously pursued.
He continued that the department’s approach is to define Uzbek Hill not only as a protected area, but also as a safe, standard, and accessible site for researchers, students, and domestic and foreign tourists. “Achieving this goal requires striking a balance between scientific conservation and cultural and tourism-oriented utilization,” he said.
Highlighting the importance of public participation in safeguarding historical monuments, Belali stressed that experience has shown no conservation program can succeed sustainably without the cooperation of the local community.
“From the outset, we have sought to engage local residents as the primary guardians of this valuable heritage,” he said, noting that educational sessions, workshops introducing the historical significance of the hill, and community participation in managing visitor routes have been among the measures taken to strengthen social synergy.
Belali also underscored the high tourism potential of Uzbek Hill, saying the archaeological site has the capacity to become one of the major cultural tourism destinations at both national and even international levels. He explained that plans focus on developing minimal yet targeted tourism infrastructure, providing accurate historical and cultural content, and creating an educational and engaging experience for visitors, while fully adhering to conservation regulations and standards to ensure the site is preserved for future generations.
He said that thanks to the continuous follow-up by the provincial Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Organization and the support of the Nazarabad governor, the site is now on the path toward global registration. “This development is clear evidence of the national and international significance of Uzbek Hill and its special place in archaeological studies,” he said.