Niokolo-Koba National Park
Factors affecting the property in 2006*
- Ground transport infrastructure
- Translocated species
- Other Threats:
Serious deterioration in the state of conservation with regard to its large mammal fauna
Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports
a) Capture and relocation of wildlife ;
b) Road construction.
International Assistance: requests for the property until 2006
Total amount approved : 147,125 USD
| 2004 | Extension du Site du PM du Niokolo Koba (Senegal) à la ... (Approved) | 9,984 USD |
| 2002 | Derby Eland Monitoring Programme (Approved) | 29,296 USD |
| 1991 | Purchase of 2 all-terrain vehicles to improve ... (Approved) | 45,000 USD |
| 1990 | Consultancy services for environmental and ... (Approved) | 20,000 USD |
| 1986 | Additional cost of radios ordered in 1985 for ... (Approved) | 6,196 USD |
| 1985 | Purchase of 4 portable radios for protection programme ... (Approved) | 9,618 USD |
| 1982 | Vehicles, camping equipment and radio communication ... (Approved) | 27,031 USD |
Missions to the property until 2006**
World Heritage Centre / IUCN mission 2001
Conservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 2006
In May 2006, the World Heritage Centre and IUCN were informed that a wildlife inventory was being undertaken jointly by the management authority (Direction des Parcs Nationaux - DPN) and African Parks Foundation (APF), a Dutch based NGO. On 2 June 2006, the preliminary results of this census were presented and discussed with DPN and the Ministry. UNESCO and IUCN representatives participated in the meeting. The preliminary results indicate a serious deterioration in the state of conservation of Niokolo-Koba National Park, in particular with regard to its large mammal fauna. Elephants seem to be on the brink of extinction (with only 4 traces found along 1600 km of transect, whilst populations of buffalo, eland, hartebeest, waterbuck and Kobs have been heavily impacted and vulnerable for extinction. During the survey, widespread cattle grazing, commercial timber exploitation and poaching activities were also observed.
In addition, there are reports about a road upgrading project, which might potentially threaten the values and integrity of the property. However, the State Party did not inform the World Heritage Centre about this development, in accordance with paragraph 172 of the Operational Guidelines. Besides, neither the World Heritage Centre nor IUCN have yet received a full copy of the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment of this project.
The World Heritage Centre and IUCN note with great concern these reports of ongoing and potential threats to the values and integrity of the property and believe that a joint UNESCO/IUCN mission is required urgently to assess the state of conservation of the property.
Summary of the interventions
Decisions adopted by the Committee in 2006
30 COM 7B.1
State of Conservation (Niokolo-Koba National Park)
The World Heritage Committee,
1. Having examined Document WHC-06/30.COM/7B.Add,
2. Notes with great concern the reports of ongoing and potential threats to the values and integrity of the property;
3. Requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre a full copy of the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment of the proposed road upgrading project as well as the final report on the wildlife inventory that took place in May/June 2006;
4. Also requests the State Party to invite a joint World Heritage Centre/IUCN mission to assess the state of conservation of the property, in particular the status of key wildlife populations and the causes of the reported declines in their population sizes, as well as potential impacts of the proposed road construction project;
5. Further requests the State Party to provide the World Heritage Centre with a detailed report by 1 February 2007 on the state of conservation of the property, in particular the status of key wildlife populations, the causes for their decline and steps to be taken to improve the management of the property and potential impacts of the proposed road construction project, for examination by the Committee at its 31st session in 2007.
Draft Decision: 30 COM 7B.1
The World Heritage Committee,
1. Having examined Document WHC-06/30.COM/7B.Add,
2. Notes with great concern the reports of ongoing and potential threats to the values and integrity of the property;
3. Requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre a full copy of the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment of the proposed road upgrading project as well as the final report on the wildlife inventory that took place in May/June 2006;
4. Also requests the State Party to invite a joint UNESCO/IUCN mission to assess the state of conservation of the property, in particular the status of key wildlife populations and potential impacts of the proposed road construction project;
5. Further requests the State Party to provide the World Heritage Centre with a detailed report by 1 February 2007 on the state of conservation of the property, in particular the status of key wildlife populations and potential impacts of the proposed road construction project, for examination by the Committee at its 31st session in 2007.
SenegalExports
* :
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.
