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State of Conservation (SOC)

Air and Ténéré Natural Reserves (2006)

Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger
UNESCO Extra-Budgetary Funds
International Assistance granted to the property

Requests Approved: 0 (from1999-2002)
Total Amount Ap proved: 142,450USD

2002 Confection des plaques de commémoration de 2 sites patrimoine ...   450  USD
2000 Préparation d’un dossier d'inscription du site de l’Aïr et du ...   15,000  USD
1999 Financial support for the implementation of the emergency ...   75,000  USD
1999 Action plan for the implementation of Urgent rehabilitation ...   12,000  USD
1999 Action plan for the implementation of Urgent rehabilitation ...   20,000  USD
1999 National Sensitising Seminar for the Personnel Charged with ...   20,000  USD
Missions**

UNESCO mission in 1998, IUCN mission in 2005.

Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports

a) Political instability and civil strife;

b) Poverty;

c) Management constraints;

d) Ostrich poaching,

e) Soil erosion;

f) Demographic pressure;

g) Livestock pressure; and

h) Pressure on wood resources. 

Corrective Measures

Benchmarks for corrective measures were identified during the 2005 IUCN mission and adopted by the Committee at its 29th session (Durban, 2005):

a) re-establish physical presence of the management authority in Iférouane and provide adequate resources to the management authority in order to allow a better control of natural resource use within the property;

b) establish Land Commissions (Commissions foncières) in the four Municipalities and clarify respective land-use and resource access rights for local residents;

c) significantly improve monitoring and surveillance of the property in order to address poaching and illegal commercial natural resource extraction issues;

d) immediately halt all commercial collection of timber and hay from the property; and

e) initiate soil and vegetation stabilization actions to control soil erosion, and measures to reduce corollary destabilization of soils by motorized traffic.

Current conservation issues

The State Party submitted a report on 23 March 2006 in the form of a periodic report (section II). This report however, provides little new information and does not refer to the benchmarks set by the World Heritage Committee at its 29th session (Durban, 2005) nor to the findings of the 2005 IUCN mission.

The World Heritage Centre and IUCN understand, however, that there have been few changes on the ground since the monitoring mission of May 2005 but the findings and recommendations of that mission remain valid. Management of the property continues to be inadequate and illegal and uncontrolled activities such as hunting are ongoing. Nonetheless, the recent decentralization process of the government may be somewhat beneficial to the property and there is growing local interest in improving the situation, controlling hunting and managing tourism.

The World Heritage Centre and IUCN are pleased to note that the “Co-management of Natural Resources in Aïr and Ténéré Natural Reserves and adjacent areas” (COGERAT) project, noted in the State of Conservation report to the Committee in 2005, has recently been approved by the UNDP with funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) for a total of USD 4 million over six years (2006-2012) with USD 5 million co-funding from various other donors. The project will be implemented by the “Direction de la Faune, de la Pêche et de la Pisciculture” (DFPP), possibly with the support of IUCN. In addition the Sahara Conservation Fund is currently developing a project with local NGOs to rehabilitate the ostrich population, in association with the COGERAT project.

The COGERAT project is expected to improve management of the World Heritage property and the wider Biosphere Reserve, and increase the engagement and support of local communities. IUCN notes that effective management, leadership and commitment from all partners, especially the DFPP, will be essential. 

Conclusion
Decision

  • Adopted

  • Draft Decision

30COM7A.10
Link to the decision

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Having examined Document WHC-06/30.COM/7A,

2. Recalling Decision 29 COM 7A.6 adopted at its 29th session (Durban, 2005);

3. Regrets that the state of conservation report provided by the State Party does not respond to the specific findings and recommendations of the 2005 IUCN monitoring mission and does not provide information with regard to the benchmarks set by the Committee at its 29th session;

4. Commends the State Party and other partners, for the approval of the project for the "Co-management of Natural Resources in Aïr and Ténéré Natural Reserves and adjacent areas" (COGERAT) and encourages the implementing partners to provide effective management, leadership and commitment to ensure that the outcomes of the project have practical and long term benefits for the World Heritage property;

5. Urges the State Party, with the support of the COGERAT project, to implement the corrective measures in order to meet the benchmarks adopted by the World Heritage Committee at its 29th session (Durban, 2005);

6. Reiterates its request to the State Party to provide the World Heritage Centre with an updated report by 1 February 2007 on the state of conservation of the property, specifically on progress made in relation to the benchmarks set by the World Heritage Committee for a removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger, along with a timeframe for their achievement, as well as on the implementation and progress of the COGERAT project, for examination by the Committee at its 31st session in 2007;

7. Decides to retain the Aïr and Ténéré Natural Reserves (Niger) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.

30COM8C.2
Link to the decision

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Having examined the state of conservation reports of properties inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger (WHC-06/30.COM/7A and WHC-06/30.COM/7A.Add.Rev),

2. Maintains the following properties on the List of World Heritage in Danger:

   • Afghanistan, Minaret and Archaeological Remains of Jam (Decision 30 COM 7A.22)

   • Afghanistan, Cultural Landscape and Archaeological Remains of the Bamiyan Valley, (Decision 30 COM 7A.23)

   • Azerbaijan, Walled City of Baku with the Shirvanshah's Palace and Maiden Tower (Decision 30 COM 7A.29) 

   • Benin, Royal Palaces of Abomey (Decision 30 COM 7A.16)

   • Central African Republic, Manovo-Gounda St Floris National Park (Decision 30 COM 7A.1)

   • Chile, Humberstone and Santa Laura Saltpeter Works (Decision 30 COM 7A.31)

   • Côte d'Ivoire, Comoé National Park (Decision 30 COM 7A.2)

   • Côte d'Ivoire / Guinea, Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve (Decision 30 COM 7A.3)

   • Democratic Rep. of the Congo, Okapi Wildlife Reserve (Decision 30 COM 7A.8)

   • Democratic Rep. of the Congo Kahuzi-Biega National Park (Decision 30 COM 7A.6)

   • Democratic Rep. of the Congo Virunga National Park (Decision 30 COM 7A.7)

   • Democratic Rep. of the Congo Garamba National Park (Decision 30 COM 7A.4)

   • Democratic Rep. of the Congo Salonga National Park (Decision 30 COM 7A.5)

   • Egypt, Abu Mena (Decision 30 COM 7A.19)

   • Ethiopia, Simien National Park (Decision 30 COM 7A.9)

   • Honduras, Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve (Decision 30 COM 7A.15)

   • India, Manas Wildlife Sanctuary (Decision 30 COM 7A.13)

   • Islamic Republic of Iran, Bam and its Cultural Landscape (Decision 30 COM 7A.25)

   • Iraq, Ashur (Qal'at Sherqat) (Decision 30 COM 7A.20)

   • Jerusalem, Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls (Decision 30 COM 7A.34)

   • Nepal, Kathmandu Valley (Decision 30 COM 7A.26)

   • Niger, Air and Ténéré Natural Reserves (Decision 30 COM 7A.10)

   • Pakistan, Fort and Shalamar Gardens in Lahore (Decision 30 COM 7A.27)

   • Peru, Chan Chan Archaelogical Zone (Decision 30 COM 7A.32)

   • Philippines, Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras (Decision 30 COM 7A.28)

   • United Republic of Tanzania, Ruins of Kilwa Kisiwani and Ruins of Songo Mnara (Decision 28 COM 7A.17)

   • United States of America, Everglades National Park (Decision 30 COM 7A.14)

   • Venezuela, Coro and its Port (Decision 30 COM 7A.33)

   • Yemen, Historic Town of Zabid (Decision 30 COM 7A.21)

Draft Decision: 30 COM 7A.10

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Having examined Document WHC-06/30.COM/7A,

2. Recalling Decision 29 COM 7A.6 adopted at its 29th session (Durban, 2005);

3. Regrets that the state of conservation report provided by the State Party does not respond to the specific findings and recommendations of the 2005 IUCN monitoring mission and does not provide information with regard to the benchmarks set by the Committee at its 29th session;

4. Commends the State Party and other partners, for the approval of the project for the “Co-management of Natural Resources in Aïr and Ténéré Natural Reserves and adjacent areas” (COGERAT) and encourages the implementing partners to provide effective management, leadership and commitment to ensure that the outcomes of the project have practical and long term benefits for the World Heritage property;

5. Urges the State Party, with the support of the COGERAT project, to implement the corrective measures in order to meet the benchmarks adopted by the World Heritage Committee at its 29th session (Durban, 2005)

6. Reiterates its request to the State Party to provide the World Heritage Centre with an updated report by 1 February 2007 on the state of conservation of the property, specifically on progress made in relation to the benchmarks set by the World Heritage Committee for a removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger, along with a timeframe for their achievement, as well as on the implementation and progress of the COGERAT project, for examination by the Committee at its 31st session in 2007;

7. Decides to retain the Aïr and Ténéré Natural Reserves (Niger) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.

Air and Ténéré Natural Reserves
State Party:
Niger
Date of Inscription: 1991
Nomination records (Year): 1990
Category: Natural
Criteria: (vii)(ix)(x)
Danger List: Yes
Documents
Original Documents
WHC-06/30.COM/7A
Other Documents
View inscribed site documents, nomination file, reports, decisions, ...
Exports
Word File
SOC Reports
SOC Reports by year
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
1994
1993
1992
Detailed List of SOC reports
Threats*
Civil unrest
Erosion and siltation/ deposition
Forestry /wood production
Identity, social cohesion, changes in local population and community
Illegal activities
Livestock farming/grazing of domesticated animals
Management systems/ management plan
Other Threats:
Poverty
Inscription on the Danger List
Year: 1992
Threats to the Site:

The region having recently suffered from military conflict and civil disturbance, the Government of Niger asked the Director- General of UNESCO to launch an appeal for the protection of the site, which was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1991. Six members of the Reserve staff were being held as hostages since February 1992 and, in compliance with the request of Niger's Permanent Delegation to UNESCO, the Committee decided to inscribe the site on the List of World Heritage in Danger.

 


* : 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.