Sangay National Park
Factors affecting the property in 2006*
- Ground transport infrastructure
- Illegal activities
- Land conversion
- Livestock farming / grazing of domesticated animals
Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports
a) Poaching;
b) Illegal livestock grazing;
c) Encroachment along the Park's perimeter;
d) Unplanned road construction.
UNESCO Extra-Budgetary Funds until 2006
Total amount provided to the property: USD 60,000.
International Assistance: requests for the property until 2006
Total amount approved : 58,500 USD
| 1993 | Equipement for Sangay National Park (Approved) | 28,500 USD |
| 1985 | Public awareness programmes for local communities and ... (Approved) | 30,000 USD |
Missions to the property until 2006**
IUCN mission 1999 ; IUCN mission 2005.
Conservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 2006
The IUCN/UNF/UNESCO Enhancing Our Heritage Project (EoH), which includes Sangay National Park as a pilot site, reported in 2005-2006 continued improvements in management including a revision of site’s values and management objectives as well as the on-going implementation of monitoring programmes.
The State Party has submitted a report on 15 February 2006, noting that through the EoH project the management plan for the site has been updated to guide in a practical way the management of the site for the period 2005-2007. This plan has been designed to be as practical and operational as possible so as to address key conservation and management issues within available human and financial resources. The plan was prepared through a fully participatory process involving key stakeholders. It also includes provisions for addressing sustainable financing of the park.
Considerable progress has been achieved in extending and enhancing patrolling activities within the park and its buffer zone as well as in implementing focused training programmes for park’s staff. This work has been supported by national funding from the Ministry of the Environment together with funds received from the National Environmental Fund. The provincial Government of Morona-Santiago and the Army Corps of Engineers are also supporting the construction of control points along the Guamote – Macas road.
The State Party has received additional support from the Moore Foundation for the period 2006-2008 which will allow the hiring of nine more rangers as well as the enhancement of infrastructure required for control and field activities. In addition 21 local governments and municipalities are also providing support toward the park’s management.
Management activities have been concentrated in the higher altitudes (páramos) of the park addressing the key threats to its integrity (agricultural and cattle raising practices in the buffer zone and unregulated tourism development). The work in addressing these threats has been supported by the development of co-management arrangements, the promotion of alternative economic options for local communities; and an active environmental education and awareness raising programme. Progress has also been achieved on clarifying the ownership and legal status of the land in a few zones of the park, however, this is an on-going process that requires further work.
Summary of the interventions
Decisions adopted by the Committee in 2006
30 COM 7B.30
State of Conservation (Sangay National Park)
The World Heritage Committee,
1. Having examined Document WHC-06/30.COM/7B,
2. Recalling Decision 29 COM 7A.11, adopted at its 29th session (Durban, 2005);
3. Thanks the State Party of Ecuador for having submitted the requested report on progress in the implementation of the management strategy and measures taken to ensure adequate levels of funding and staff for the management of the property;
4. Commends the State Party for its continued efforts to improve the conservation and management of this World Heritage property;
5. Welcomes the support of the National Environmental Fund of Ecuador, Fundación Natura and the Moore Foundation in enhancing the conservation and management of this World Heritage property;
6. Notes the achievement, supported by the work of the EoH project, to prepare an updated management plan for 2005 to 2007, as well as the efforts to obtain additional financial resources for its effective implementation;
7. Requests the State Party to maintain their on-going efforts to achieve sustainable finance of the park including through the further expansion of ecotourism activities as an important revenue generation option;
8. Further requests the State Party to provide the World Heritage Centre with an updated report by 1 February 2007 on the progress made in the implementation of the updated management plan, and in particular, on issues associated with resolving land ownership and the development of alternative economic options for local communities as a means to address conflicting activities occurring in the park's buffer zone, for examination by the Committee at its 31st session in 2007.
Draft Decision: 30 COM 7B.30
The World Heritage Committee,
1. Having examined Document WHC-06/30.COM/7B,
2. Recalling Decision 29 COM 7A.11, adopted at its 29th session (Durban, 2005);
3. Thanks the State Party of Ecuador for having submitted the requested report on progress in the implementation of the management strategy and measures taken to ensure adequate levels of funding and staff for the management of the property;
4. Commends the State Party for its continued efforts to improve the conservation and management of this World Heritage property;
5. Welcomes the support of the National Environmental Fund of Ecuador, Fundación Natura and the Moore Foundation in enhancing the conservation and management of this World Heritage property;
6. Notes the achievement, supported by the work of the EoH project, to prepare an updated management plan for 2005-2007, as well as the efforts to obtain additional financial resources for its effective implementation;
7. Requests the State Party to maintain their on-going efforts to achieve sustainable finance of the park including through the further expansion of ecotourism activities as an important revenue generation option;
8. Further requests the State Party to provide the World Heritage Centre with an updated report by 1 February 2007 on the progress made in the implementation of the updated management plan and in particular on issues associated with resolving land ownership and the development of alternative economic options for local communities as a means to address conflicting activities occurring in the park’s buffer zone, for examination by the Committee at its 31st session in 2007.
Ecuador
Exports
* :
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.
