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Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas

China
Factors affecting the property in 2012*
  • Management systems/ management plan
  • Mining
  • Water infrastructure
  • Other Threats:

    signage

Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports

a) Dams;

b) Boundary modifications;

c) Mining;

d) Signage

e) Management planning.

International Assistance: requests for the property until 2012
Requests approved: 0
Total amount approved : 0 USD
Missions to the property until 2012**

2006 UNESCO/IUCN joint mission

Conservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 2012

A report on the state of conservation of the property was received from the State Party on 13 January 2012. The report responds to issues raised by the Committee in decision 35 COM 7B.12 and provides additional information on conservation actions undertaken at the property. Extracts relating to Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) for three hydroelectric power projects (A’hai, Longkaikou and Ludila) are annexed to the report.

a) Issues related to planned dam building

The State Party states that reports of unapproved dam construction having begun on the Liuku Dam on the Nujiang River are incorrect and cite photographic evidence to illustrate that, as of December 2011, no construction has begun. The State Party points out that the prerequisite watershed planning and EIA have not been completed. The report further states that “In accordance with the regulatory protocols of Chinese government for constructing hydroelectric power plants, it will not be possible for Liuku dam project and its EIA to pass the state approval”. Similarly, the State Party confirms that no Lisu people have been displaced in connection with the proposed Liuku Dam, however, 100 households living near Xiaoshaba village were relocated to improved housing, an issue unrelated to dam construction.

The State Party also reports that no unauthorised construction is taking place with respect to the Majia, Yabilluo, Liuku and Saige sites. Geological drilling is being undertaken to inform a report on “Hydroelectric Power Planning on the Middle and Low Reaches of Nu River” which is yet to be approved. The State Party indicates that any road works being undertaken are a part of normal rerouting and maintenance operations.

The State Party reports on three proposed hydroelectric projects (A’hai, Longkaikou and Ludila) on the middle reaches of the Jinsha River which have been approved and are in various stages of implementation. They state that these proposed projects are distant from the Haba Snow Mountain sub unit of the property and that EIAs conclude they will not create negative impacts on the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV). Based on this judgement EIAs were not submitted to the World Heritage Centre, however, extracts of the EIAs have been provided within the current report.

The State Party affirms its view that the values of the property are related to higher elevation areas (above 2,000m asl) and that proposed hydroelectric projects and dams within the lower elevation disturbed valleys will not have impacts on the property’s OUV.

The World Heritage Centre and IUCN welcome confirmation that construction has not begun at the proposed Liuku Dam site and the State Party’s advice that this proposal will not be approved at the state level. The World Heritage Centre and IUCN also appreciate the clarifications provided by the State Party on the three above-mentioned hydroelectric projects. The distance of these projects downstream from the Haba Snow Mountain sub unit of the property may mitigate against significant impact on the property’s OUV, however, IUCN is not in a position to assess impacts having not had the opportunity to consider the EIAs. It is also noted that no lists or maps were provided showing the overall extent of hydroelectric dams proposed for areas adjacent to the property and its buffer zone.

IUCN has also received specific reports asserting that site preparations have taken place for the proposed Li Yuan dam on the Jinsha River and the Songta and Maji dams on the Nujiang River. Physical site preparation works may also have impacts and should not proceed ahead of an approved EIA. The Environmental Impact Evaluation Division of the Ministry of Environmental Protection (MEP) issued a notice on 6 January 2012 on further strengthening environmental protection during hydroelectric power construction. This notice directs that site preparation should be included in the EIA of any hydroelectric power project. Furthermore, MEP reinforces that basin-wide hydroelectric power development plans are required by law. On 5 April 2012, the World Heritage Centre requested clarifications by the State Party on reported preparatory construction work at the property.

b) Details of mining and dam proposals which may affect the property

The State Party reports that there are no longer any legal mining activities within the property. The State Party further affirms its commitment that no new mining operations will be approved within the property and its buffer zones. In addition, it indicates that plans to specify areas of no-mining outside of the property and buffer zones have been developed. They also detail a range of measures directed at reducing the impacts of those mines most recently excluded from the property through boundary modifications. Measures include improved standard setting, environmental planning, and environmental compliance monitoring.

The World Heritage Centre and IUCN welcome the commitment of the State Party to ensure no new mining approvals within the property and buffer zone and to additionally delineate no-mining zones outside of the property. Initiatives to reduce the potential adverse impacts of mining operations in areas adjacent to the property are also welcomed. However, the World Heritage Centre and IUCN recall that in its evaluation of the minor boundary modification approved by the Committee at its 34th session (Brasilia, 2010), IUCN was concerned about some mineral processing taking place in the watercourses, with no separation between the water used for mining and the natural water flow, and noted that this represented a permanent impact on the natural system, while also potentially posing a risk to downstream communities.

c) Issues related to management and planning

The State Party reports that relevant Management Plans have been adjusted for consistency with the boundary changes approved by the 34th session of the Committee. A revised Master Plan for the property has been submitted to the State Council and is anticipated to be approved for implementation in 2012. The State Party furthermore reports a range of activities to better protect the property’s values including proposals to conduct a range of thematic studies, undertake boundary marking, enhance zoning systems, and expand staffing levels and capacity building. Among future management challenges, the State Party notes tourism development and the need to mitigate conflicts between local community development and the protection of natural heritage.

The World Heritage Centre and IUCN commend efforts to enhance coordination between the eight sub units of the serial property and encourage on-going harmonization of planning and management especially between the two types of protected areas (Scenic and Historic Interest Areas and Nature Reserves) which comprise the property. They note the State Party did not report on overall progress regarding its intention to put in place adequate staffing and budget for the management of the property, but welcome a report that 85 staff have been hired among 3 components of the property. They recall this was a key element that led the Committee to approve the minor boundary modification at its 34th session (Brasilia, 2010).

IUCN received reports of local disputes in relation to existing mining activities close to the property on the western slopes of the sacred Mount Kawagebo, of which the eastern slopes are included in the property. In response, on 23 January 2012, the local Prefecture announced that a gold mine that had been operating in the area for nearly a year would be closed. The reports provided to IUCN also note that the communities on the western slopes of Mount Kawagebo could also be affected by proposed dam development on the Nu River. 

Analysis and Conclusion by World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies in 2012

The World Heritage Centre and IUCN recall the statement made by the State Party in its report to the 35th session of the Committee in Paris that planning and approval of dams and hydroelectric power plants on the Nujiang, Jinsha and Lancang river basins had been suspended in 2008. Given the evidence of ongoing planning of dams, the World Heritage Centre and IUCN remain deeply concerned regarding the extent of possible dam construction in this region and the cumulative impacts of overall development. Concerns have been expressed to IUCN regarding potential impacts that could result from hydroelectric dam construction, such as those from resettled human populations moving out of the valleys into higher elevations thereby increasing pressure on the property, disruptions to freshwater fish ecology and migration, river sedimentation from road development, water quality and other forms of potential pollution. These concerns together with the overall scale of planned development reinforce the need for a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) to review the overall proposals and impacts rather than assessing proposals dam by dam.

The World Heritage Centre and IUCN recall that Paragraph 172 of the Operational Guidelines emphasizes that notice be given as soon as possible and before drafting basic documents for specific projects. Paragraph 172 is in the spirit of supporting a process to find solutions that ensure the OUV of the property is fully preserved. The World Heritage Centre and IUCN are willing to assist the State Party with advice on the preparation of Strategic Environmental Assessments.

The World Heritage Centre and IUCN recommend that the Committee urge the State Party to continue the positive efforts to improve management and complete the reviews of Management Plans to better harmonize and coordinate management across all sub units within the property.

Furthermore, the World Heritage Centre and IUCN recommend that the Committee request the State Party to invite a joint World Heritage Centre/IUCN reactive monitoring mission to the property, to review the potential impacts of the proposed dams to be constructed on the major rivers in the region, including the Jinsha, Nujiang and Lacang Rivers which are in close proximity to the property and its buffer zone, on the property’s Oustanding Universal Value. They stress that it will be essential to receive the requested planning documents related to the extent of proposed dam construction prior to a mission to ensure it is informed and productive. They further consider that the mission should also review the mining areas adjacent to the property, including those that were excluded from the property through the minor boundary changes approved by the Committee at its 34th session (Brasilia, 2010), to ensure that these are not having a negative impact on the OUV of the property. Furthermore, the mission should evaluate the overall management effectiveness of the property.

Decisions adopted by the Committee in 2012
36 COM 7B.9
Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Area (China) (N 1083 bis)

The World Heritage Committee,

1.  Having examined Document WHC-12/36.COM/7B,

2.  Recalling Decision 35 COM 7B.12 adopted at its 35th session (UNESCO, 2011),

3.  Acknowledges the information provided by the State Party on the on-going actions to address conservation issues at the property and urges the State Party to continue these efforts;

4.  Welcomes the efforts made by the State Party to ensure those mining areas which were excluded through the boundary modification and are now adjacent to the property and its buffer zone comply with international environmental and health standards;

5.  Regrets that comprehensive lists and accompanying maps of proposed dams in areas near to the property and its buffer zone have not yet been provided, and requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre by 1 December 2012 a detailed list and maps of all proposed dams that could affect the property, and to submit to the World Heritage Centre the Environmental Impact Assessmentsfor any such dam proposals, prior to their approval, in conformity with Paragraph 172 of the Operational Guidelines;

6.  Also urges the State Party to ensure that active site preparation works for proposed hydroelectric projects do not proceed ahead of an approved Environmental Impact Assessment;

7.  Also requests the State Party to invite an IUCN reactive monitoring mission to review the potential impacts of the proposed dams, and of mining in the areas adjacent to the property, on the property’s Outstanding Universal Value, and to assess the overall management effectiveness of the property, and further requests the State Party to make available prior to the mission the English documents necessary to this review, including pertinent Environmental Impact Assessments, reports on hydroelectric power planning, and the terms of reference for a possible Strategic Environmental Assessment of all  the dam proposals in the region;

8.  Requests furthermore the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2013, a report on the state of conservation of the property and on the progress made in undertaking a Strategic Environmental Assessment of all the proposed dams and ancillary development that could potentially affect the property’s Outstanding Universal Value, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 37th session in 2013.

 
Draft Decision: 36 COM 7B.9
 

The World Heritage Committee,

 

1. Having examined Document WHC-12/36.COM/7B,

 

2. Recalling Decision 35 COM 7B.12 adopted at its 35th session (UNESCO, 2011),

 

3. Acknowledges the information provided by the State Party on the on-going actions to address conservation issues at the property and urges the State Party to continue these efforts;

 

4. Welcomes the efforts made by the State Party to ensure those mining areas which were excluded through the boundary modification and are now adjacent to the property and its buffer zone comply with international environmental and health standards;

 

5. Regrets that comprehensive lists and accompanying maps of proposed dams in areas near to the property and its buffer zone have not yet been provided, and requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre by 1 December 2012 a detailed list and maps of all proposed dams that could affect the property, and to submit to the World Heritage Centre the Environmental Impact Assessmentsfor any such dam proposals, prior to their approval, in conformity with Paragraph 172 of the Operational Guidelines;

 

6. Also urges the State Party to ensure that active site preparation works for proposed hydroelectric projects do not proceed ahead of an approved Environmental Impact Assessment;

 

7. Also requests the State Party to invite an IUCN reactive monitoring mission to review the potential impacts of the proposed dams, and of mining in the areas adjacent to the property, on the property’s Outstanding Universal Value, and to assess the overall management effectiveness of the property, and further requests the State Party to make available prior to the mission the English documents necessary to this review, including pertinent Environmental Impact Assessments, reports on hydroelectric power planning, and the terms of reference for a possible Strategic Environmental Assessment of all the dam proposals in the region;

 

8. Requests furthermore the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2013, a report on the state of conservation of the property and on the progress made in undertaking a Strategic Environmental Assessment of all the proposed dams and ancillary development that could potentially affect the property’s Outstanding Universal Value, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 37th session in 2013.

 
Report year: 2012
China
Date of Inscription: 2003
Category: Natural
Criteria: (vii)(viii)(ix)(x)
Documents examined by the Committee
arrow_circle_right 36COM (2012)
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.


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