The region of Angkor has been inscribed in the World Heritage List in 1992. Spread over an area of 400 sq.km, the Angkor World Heritage Site is marked with splendid structures constructed by the Khmer rulers from the 9th to the 15th century. The rulers of this Khmer civilization constructed many temples including the famous temple of Angkor Wat, the royal city of Angkor, palaces, historic water structures, embankments and irrigation canals. One such temple is the Buddhist monastic complex of Ta Prohm constructed in 1186 AD by Jayavarman VII, as a citadel of Rajavihara (the royal monastery) for his mother. The conservation and restoration of this temple complex has been undertaken by the Archaeological Survey of India. This temple complex is located in a dense forest, in Cambodia. Huge trees are seen growing on top of several structures; such vegetation has disturbed the structural stability of several components of this temple. There are more than 150 species of trees in the temple complex. But subsequently the trees intertwining with the monuments depict a symbiotic relationship one supporting the other. Visitors throng this temple complex to visualize this rare coexistence of the trees and the monument, hence it is commonly known as the "Tree temple". The conservation strategy aims to protect both the natural and the built heritage, thereby safeguarding the authenticity and the integrity of this monument. Studies of the trees has been undertaken by the botanists and scientists, to understand the growth of the trees, their life spans and load transmitted by the trees on the structures. Ground Penetrating Radar studies have been undertaken to understand the movement of the roots below the surface of the soil. The structural failure of the various components of the temple is attributed to action of the vegetation, human vandalism, weathering, foundation movements. Finite element modeling technique has been used to understand the structural behavior of the corbelled vaults of Ta Prohm. Engineers and other experts have undertaken foundation analysis, and the deficiencies in the foundations have been identified. the unstable sand stone blocks of the temple have been supported by means of a temporary supporting systems comprising of wooden props. The temple is flooded up to 1m for some days during the wet season. The problem of stagnating water is primarily due to randomly scattered sandstone blocks which act as little bunds and obstruct the flow of water. The existence of the ancient drainage outlets inside the temple is not visible as they have been silted up or blocked. Studies have been conducted to understand the hydorlogy of the site. A multidisciplinary integrated scientific approach has been adopted to conserve and protect the distinct uniqueness of this outstanding monument in the World Heritage Site of Angkor.
