Decision 40 COM 7A.43

Simien National Park (Ethiopia) (N 9)

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Having examined Document WHC/16/40.COM/7A,
2. Recalling Decision 39 COM 7A.10, adopted at its 39th session (Bonn, 2015),
3. Takes note that the on-going voluntary relocation of the Gich community is nearing completion, and requests the State Party to ensure that the remaining compensations and housing contructions are fully completed, and the implementation of the strategies for alternative livelihoods are continued;
4. Welcomes the funding provided by different donors to support the development of alternative livelihood opportunities for the people living in the immediate vicinity of the park, and calls on further donors to support these initiatives to ensure their sustainability in the long term;
5. Notes with appreciation the completion of the grazing pressure reduction strategy through stakeholder engagement and the timely initiation of its implementation, and also requests the State Party to secure investments and keep the World Heritage Centre updated on progress with the strategy’s implementation;
6. Notes that a recent study found an increase in Walia ibex and Ethiopian wolf populations, and encourages the State Party to apply for International Assistance to commission a more detailed independent study in line with Committee Decision 39 COM 7A.10;
7. Also notes that a gate has been constructed at Sawrie to restrict and monitor road use and further requests the State Party to accelerate the delayed realignment of roads crossing the property to reduce the pressure on the existing road through the property and to submit a map with all existing and proposed roads;
8. Requests furthermore the State Party to clarify the location of the proposed eco-lodge developments inside the park, and to ensure that the relevant Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) include a thorough assessment of the potential impacts on the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the property in line with IUCN’s World Heritage Advice Note on Environmental Assessment, and to submit the report to the World Heritage Centre for review before any decisions are made, in accordance with Paragraph 172 of the Operational Guidelines;
9. Reiterates its request to the State Party to submit a proposal for the modification of the property’s boundaries through the preparation of a new nomination, as per Decision 35 COM 7A.9, in order to harmonize the boundaries of the property with the new boundaries of the national park;
10. Requests moreover the State Party to invite an IUCN Reactive Monitoring mission to the property, in order to assess progress in the implementation of the corrective measures and towards meeting the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR);
11. Finally 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;
12. Decides to retain Simien National Park (Ethiopia) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.