The Myanmar Archaeology Association is planning to sue the Bagan Management Committee for allegedly mismanaging the temples at Bagan, one of the most important heritage sites in the country, according to an article in the Myanmar Times. “Our priority is to save our national heritage, Bagan, from mismanagement and to show that, in a democracy, there are checks and balances under the law,” U Thu Ra Aung, the association’s secretary, was quoted as saying. The committee, which is headed by Mandalay Region Chief Minister U Zaw Myint Maung, is responsible for preparing a bid to have Bagan listed as a UNESCO world heritage site, which if successful could significantly boost Myanmar’s tourism industry. According to the article, the association accuses the committee of artificially altering parts of the site, including building mounds, planting gardens in pagoda compounds and installing artificial grass. Under the 1988 Protection and Preservation of Cultural Heritage Regions Law, any changes made at the site must be done with permission from the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture, the article said.