Decision 39 COM 7B.3

Lakes of Ounianga (Chad) (N 1400)

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Having examined Document WHC-15/39.COM/7B,
2. Recalling Decisions 36 COM 8B.7 and 38 COM 7B.88, adopted respectively at its 36th (Saint Petersburg, 2012) and 38th (Doha, 2014) sessions,
3. Congratulates the State Party for the progress achieved in the implementation of the Committee decisions, notably in ensuring the participation of local communities in the management of the property and the respect of local knowledge and their rights to maintain sustainable traditional use of resources;
4. Welcomes the progress made in the combat against threats to the property, in particular pollution, agricultural development and siltation of the lakes and requests the State Party to provide further information on these activities to ensure that:
   1. Seed distribution to improve the production of market gardening does not lead to an introduction, intentional or accidental, of invasive species and that this risk is strictly controlled,
   2. The installation of fencing to prevent the encroachment of the dunes does not impact negatively on the outstanding natural beauty of the property, as recognized by the inscription on the World Heritage List under criterion (vii);
5. Also requests the State Party to pursue its efforts in establishing a regular garbage collection system, to ensure that the improvement in the cleanliness of the property can be continued and maintained;
6. Further requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 December 2016, an updated report, including a 1-page executive summary, on the state of conservation of the property and the implementation of the above.