Manovo-Gounda St Floris National Park
Factors affecting the property in 2016*
- Civil unrest
- Identity, social cohesion, changes in local population and community
- Illegal activities
- Livestock farming / grazing of domesticated animals
- Mining
Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports
- Insecurity
- Poaching
- Mining
- Transhumance and illegal grazing
- Illegal fishing
- Illegal occupation of the property
Threats for which the property was inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger
-
Illegal grazing
-
Uncontrolled poaching by heavily armed groups subsequent loss of up to 80% of the Park’s wildlife and the deteriorating security situation
-
Halt to tourism
Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger
Adopted, see page https://whc.unesco.org/en/decisions/1761
Corrective Measures for the property
Adopted, see page https://whc.unesco.org/en/decisions/1761
Timeframe for the implementation of the corrective measures
Not yet identified
International Assistance: requests for the property until 2016
Total amount approved : 225,488 USD
| 2012 | Atelier d'élaboration d'un plan d'urgence pour le parc ... (Approved) | 25,488 USD |
| 2007 | Assistance d'urgence pour la sauvegarde d'un bien du ... (Approved) | 30,000 USD |
| 2001 |
Programme d'urgence pour la réhabilitation du site du ...
(Approved)
Reapproval: 19 Nov, 2004 (n°1743 - 50,000 USD)
|
150,000 USD |
| 2001 | Project for "Long-term Conservation of the ... (Approved) | 20,000 USD |
Missions to the property until 2016**
May 2001 and April 2009: Joint World Heritage Centre/IUCN Reactive Monitoring missions.
Conservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 2016
On 7 April 2016, the State Party submitted a state of conservation report on the property, available at https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/475/documents/. The State Party has not yet issued an invitation for a Reactive Monitoring mission requested by the Committee in its Decision 38 COM 7A.34, organised the workshop to assess the feasibility of the reestablishment of the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the property, and prepared an Emergency Action Plan.
The report provides the following information:
- Negotiations with the European Union have resulted in funding for the ECOFAUNE + project to strengthen wildlife conservation, support the land use development process, improve resources and provide support for local development in the vast northern region where the property is located;
- The construction of a central base and the development of trails and salt marshes within the property are foreseen in the framework of the Central Africa Biodiversity Conservation Programme – Protecting Central Africa’s Elephants (CABCP - PCAE) funded by the African Development Bank (ADB). This Programme also benefits from funding amounting to 150 million francs CFA (260,000 US dollars), for two years from the Southern Africa Enterprise Development Fund (SAEDF). Land use, security measures and the enhancement of the Village Cynegetic Zones (VCZ) and the hunting zones around the property are also foreseen;
- The implementation of several technical activities is evoked without however any distinction made between the recent activities and the activities having taken place between 2008 and 2012;
- Insecurity following the Darfour conflict, transhumance from Chad and Sudan, as well as continuing trans-border poaching are among the difficulties encountered in the implementation of the corrective measures.
On 13 November 2015, the State Party submitted a summary report of the Bangui National Forum relating to the restoration of peace, which took place from 4 to 11 May 2015.
Analysis and Conclusion by World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies in 2016
The Bangui National Forum represented an important occasion for the State Party and the Central African people to address the political and security crisis. One must hope that the commitments undertaken during this Forum will enable a progressive restoration of peace and an improvement in the security situation throughout the country, including in the region where the property is located. However, it will take time before stability is restored, meanwhile the security in and around the property remains a problem.
Confirmation of European Commission funding for the ECOFAUNE + Project is favourably welcomed, as well as the activities related to land use, security, and the enhancement of the VCZs foreseen in the framework of the CABCP-PCAE. However, it must be recalled that during the 39th session of the Committee, the World Heritage Centre and IUCN noted that despite the continued efforts of the State Party in the implementation of the ECOFAUNE + Project in the North-east region of the country in a difficult security situation, no surveillance activity was possible in the majority of the areas of the project and notably inside the property. The State Party report, in invoking the difficulties encountered in the implementation of the corrective measures, indicates that the situation inside the property remains serious as regards security and the effects of transhumance and trans-border poaching. It is recommended that the Committee request the State Party to provide additional information on security, fight against poaching and restructuration activities currently ongoing inside the property.
The commitment of the State Party to continue the implementation of the ECOFAUNE + and CABCP – PCAE project should be warmly welcomed and encouraged. However, with continuing insecurity and extremely important pressures threatening the property, and in the absence of data enabling an analysis of the current situation, the perspectives for the restoration of the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the property still appear questionable. It is therefore recommended that the Committee reiterate its request to the State Party to organize a workshop to assess the feasibility for the restoration of the OUV of the property under the current security conditions and, based on the conclusions of this workshop, prepare an emergency action plan focused on the corrective measures adopted by the Committee at its 33rd session (Sevilla, 2009). Recalling the concerns expressed by the Committee since its 38th session (Doha, 2014) regarding the possible loss of OUV of the property, it is also recommended that the Committee reiterate its request to the State Party to invite a joint World Heritage Centre/IUCN Reactive Monitoring mission as soon as the security situation permits, to assess the state of conservation of the property and to determine if there are perspectives for the regeneration of the characteristics of the property justifying its OUV, or whether the removal of the property from the World Heritage List should be envisaged.
Currently, it is recommended that the Committee maintain the property on the List of World Heritage in Danger and continue to apply the Reinforced Monitoring Mechanism.
Summary of the interventions
Decisions adopted by the Committee in 2016
40 COM 7A.34
Manovo Gounda St. Floris National Park (Central African Republic) (N 475)
The World Heritage Committee,
- Having examined Document WHC/16/40.COM/7A.Add,
- Recalling Decision 38 COM 7A.34 and 39 COM 7A.1 adopted respectively at its 38th (Doha, 2014) and 39th (Bonn, 2015) sessions,
- Takes note of the Bangui National Forum relating to the restoration of peace and expresses the hope that the commitments undertaken as a result of this Forum will enable a progressive improvement of the security situation in the country, including in the zone where the property is located;
- However, notes with concern that insecurity continues to complicate the implementation of the corrective measures adopted by the Committee at its 33rd session (Seville, 2009);
- Reiterates its deep concern regarding the probable loss of most of the flagship species of large mammals in the property, due to poaching and impact from grazing cattle;
- Also reiterates its continuing concern regarding the fact that the property has already lost its Outstanding Universal Value (OUV), which could result in its removal from the World Heritage List, in conformity with Paragraph 176d) of the Operational Guidelines;
- Warmly welcomes the commitment of the State Party to pursue the implementation of the ECOFAUNE + Project with the support of the European Union, as well as the land use and security activities foreseen in and around the property in the framework of the Central Africa Biodiversity Conservation Programme – Protecting Central Africa’s Elephants funded by the African Development Bank and encourages the State Party to continue its efforts;
- Reiterates its request to the State Party to organize a workshop to assess the feasibility for the restoration of the OUV of the property under the current security conditions and based on this, to prepare an emergency action plan, focused on the adopted corrective measures;
- Also reiterates its request to the State Party to invite a joint World Heritage Centre/IUCN Reactive Monitoring mission as soon as the security situation permits to assess the state of conservation of the property and determine whether there remain perspectives for the regeneration of the characteristics of the property justifying its OUV, or if a removal of the property from the World Heritage List in accordance with Paragraph IV.C of the Operational Guidelines should be envisaged;
- Requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2017, an updated report on the state of conservation of the property and the implementation of the above, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 41st session in 2017;
- Decides to continue to apply the Reinforced Monitoring Mechanism for this property;
- Also decides to retain Manovo-Gounda St Floris National Park (Central African Republic) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
40 COM 8C.2
Update of the list of World Heritage in Danger (retained sites)
The World Heritage Committee,
- Having examined the state of conservation reports of properties inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger (WHC/16/40.COM/7A, WHC/16/40.COM/7A.Add and WHC/16/40.COM/7A.Add.2),
- Decides to retain the following properties on the List of World Heritage in Danger:
- Afghanistan, Cultural Landscape and Archaeological Remains of the Bamiyan Valley (Decision 40 COM 7A.26)
- Afghanistan, Minaret and Archaeological Remains of Jam (Decision 40 COM 7A.27)
- Belize, Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System (Decision 40 COM 7A.32)
- Bolivia (Plurinational State of), City of Potosí (Decision 40 COM 7A.1)
- Central African Republic, Manovo-Gounda St Floris National Park (Decision 40 COM 7A.34)
- Chile, Humberstone and Santa Laura Saltpeter Works (Decision 40 COM 7A.2)
- Côte d'Ivoire, Comoé National Park (Decision 40 COM 7A.35)
- Côte d'Ivoire / Guinea, Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve (Decision 40 COM 7A.36)
- Democratic Republic of the Congo, Garamba National Park (Decision 40 COM 7A.37)
- Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kahuzi-Biega National Park (Decision 40 COM 7A.38)
- Democratic Republic of the Congo, Okapi Wildlife Reserve (Decision 40 COM 7A.39)
- Democratic Republic of the Congo, Salonga National Park (Decision 40 COM 7A.40)
- Democratic Republic of the Congo, Virunga National Park (Decision 40 COM 7A.41)
- Egypt, Abu Mena (Decision 40 COM 7A.9)
- Ethiopia, Simien National Park (Decision 40 COM 7A.43)
- Georgia, Bagrati Cathedral and Gelati Monastery (Decision 40 COM 7A.28)
- Honduras, Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve (Decision 40 COM 7A.33)
- Indonesia, Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra (Decision 40 COM 7A.48)
- Iraq, Ashur (Qal'at Sherqat) (Decision 40 COM 7A.10)
- Iraq, Hatra (Decision 40 COM 7A.11)
- Iraq, Samarra Archaeological City (Decision 40 COM 7A.12)
- Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls (site proposed by Jordan) (Decision 40 COM 7A.13)
- Madagascar, Rainforests of the Atsinanana (Decision 40 COM 7A.44)
- Mali, Timbuktu (Decision 40 COM 7A.6)
- Mali, Tomb of Askia (Decision 40 COM 7A.7)
- Niger, Air and Ténéré Natural Reserves (Decision 40 COM 7A.45)
- Palestine, Birthplace of Jesus: Church of the Nativity and the Pilgrimage Route, Bethlehem (Decision 40 COM 7A.14)
- Palestine, Palestine: Land of Olives and Vines – Cultural Landscape of Southern Jerusalem, Battir (Decision 40 COM 7A.15)
- Panama, Fortifications on the Caribbean Side of Panama: Portobelo-San Lorenzo (Decision 40 COM 7A.3)
- Peru, Chan Chan Archaelogical Zone (Decision 40 COM 7A.4)
- Senegal, Niokolo-Koba National Park (Decision 40 COM 7A.46)
- Serbia, Medieval Monuments in Kosovo (Decision 40 COM 7A. 30)
- Solomon Islands, East Rennell (Decision 40 COM 7A.49)
- Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient City of Aleppo (Decision 40 COM 7A.16)
- Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient City of Bosra (Decision 40 COM 7A.17)
- Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient City of Damascus (Decision 40 COM 7A.18)
- Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient Villages of Northern Syria (Decision 40 COM 7A.19)
- Syrian Arab Republic, Crac des Chevaliers and Qal’at Salah El-Din (Decision 40 COM 7A.20)
- Syrian Arab Republic, Site of Palmyra (Decision 40 COM 7A.21)
- Uganda, Tombs of Buganda Kings at Kasubi (Decision 40 COM 7A.8)
- United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Liverpool – Maritime Mercantile City (Decision 40 COM 7A.31)
- United Republic of Tanzania, Selous Game Reserve (Decision 40 COM 7A.47)
- United States of America, Everglades National Park (Decision 40 COM 7A.50)
- Venezuela, Coro and its Port (Decision 40 COM 7A.5)
- Yemen, Historic Town of Zabid (Decision 40 COM 7A.23)
- Yemen, Old City of Sana’a (Decision 40 COM 7A.24)
- Yemen, Old Walled City of Shibam (Decision 40 COM 7A.25).
Draft Decision: 40 COM 7A.34
The World Heritage Committee,
- Having examined Document WHC/16/40.COM/7A.Add,
- Recalling Decision 38 COM 7A.34 and 39 COM 7A.1 adopted respectively at its 38th (Doha, 2014) and 39th (Bonn, 2015) sessions,
- Takes note of the Bangui National Forum relating to the restoration of peace and expresses the hope that the commitments undertaken as a result of this Forum will enable a progressive improvement of the security situation in the country, including in the zone where the property is located;
- However, notes with concern that insecurity continues to complicate the implementation of the corrective measures adopted by the Committee at its 33rd session (Seville, 2009);
- Reiterates its deep concern regarding the probable loss of most of the flagship species of large mammals in the property, due to poaching and impact from grazing cattle;
- Also reiterates its continuing concern regarding the fact that the property has already lost its Outstanding Universal Value (OUV), which could result in its removal from the World Heritage List, in conformity with Paragraph 176d) of the Operational Guidelines;
- Warmly welcomes the commitment of the State Party to pursue the implementation of the ECOFAUNE + Project with the support of the European Union, as well as the land use and security activities foreseen in and around the property in the framework of the Central Africa Biodiversity Conservation Programme – Protecting Central Africa’s Elephants funded by the African Development Bank and encourages the State Party to continue its efforts;
- Reiterates its request to the State Party to organize a workshop to assess the feasibility for the restoration of the OUV of the property under the current security conditions and based on this, to prepare an emergency action plan, focused on the adopted corrective measures;
- Also reiterates its request to the State Party to invite a joint World Heritage Centre/IUCN Reactive Monitoring mission as soon as the security situation permits to assess the state of conservation of the property and determine whether there remain perspectives for the regeneration of the characteristics of the property justifying its OUV, or if a removal of the property from the World Heritage List in accordance with Paragraph IV.C of the Operational Guidelines should be envisaged;
- Requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2017, an updated report on the state of conservation of the property and the implementation of the above, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 41st session in 2017;
- Decides to continue to apply the Reinforced Monitoring Mechanism for this property;
- Also decides to retain Manovo-Gounda St Floris National Park (Central African Republic) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
Documents examined by the Committee
SOC Report by the State Party
Date of Reception: 2016" class="tag tag-outline-gray mb-2 private private-1" style="" >Report (2016) .pdfExports
* :
The threats indicated are listed in alphabetical order; their order does not constitute a classification according to the importance of their impact on the property.
Furthermore, they are presented irrespective of the type of threat faced by the property, i.e. with specific and proven imminent danger (“ascertained danger”) or with threats which could have deleterious effects on the property’s Outstanding Universal Value (“potential danger”).
** : All mission reports are not always available electronically.