jump to the content
Advanced search

State of Conservation (SOC)

Ichkeul National Park (1989)

UNESCO Extra-Budgetary Funds
International Assistance granted to the property

Requests Approved: 0 (from1981-1989)
Total Amount Ap proved: 50,000USD

1989 Financial contribution to the preparation of exhibits for the ...   20,000  USD
1981 Study on Ichkeul National Park   30,000  USD
Missions**
Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports

Construction of dams; hunting; grazing and air pollution

Corrective Measures
Current conservation issues

Although the integrity of the wetlands of this park remains in doubt due to the increasing interruption of fresh water inflow, there have been several improvements to management in the past year. These include the opening of a visitor centre, the institution of some controls on cattle grazing and the hiring of additional staff. These are all commendable initiatives.

However, the main exercise to build the Tindja sluice to control water flow has still not been completed. This is the single most important activity that is needed and will also require a major effort to train specialized staff in its operation (funds are available for this through IWRB). Work on two other drainage canals as recommended in the Ramsar Convention monitoring report has not commenced. 

Conclusion

The Committee may wish to give further encouragement to the Tunisian authorities to step up efforts to implement these plans.

Decision

  • Adopted

  • Draft Decision

13COMVIII.16
Link to the decision

Ichkeul National Park (Tunisia)

The Committee decided to encourage Tunisia in its efforts to seek financial resources to undertake activities such as the building of the Tindja sluice and two other drainage canals to ensure maintenance of the integrity of the wetlands critical to the values of this site. At the same time, the Committee agreed that the Tunisian authorities should be congratulated on improvements to the site's management consequent on completion of the visitors' centre, institution of controls on cattle grazing and additional staffing.

 

No draft Decision

Ichkeul National Park
State Party:
Tunisia
Date of Inscription: 1980
Nomination records (Year): 1978
Category: Natural
Criteria: (x)
Documents
Original Documents
SC.89/CONF.003/02
SC.89/CONF.004/05
Other Documents
View inscribed site documents, nomination file, reports, decisions, ...
Exports
Word File
SOC Reports
SOC Reports by year
2010
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
1989
1987
1986
1985
Detailed List of SOC reports
Threats*
Air pollution
Livestock farming/grazing of domesticated animals
Subsistence hunting
Water (rain/water table)
Water infrastructure
Inscription on the Danger List
Year: 1996 -2006
Threats to the Site:

The Park was inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger during the 20th session of the Committee (1996) as a result of significant deterioration in the characteristics for which the site was inscribed.

The construction of three dams on rivers supplying Lake Ichkeul and its marshes has cut off almost all inflow of fresh water, causing a destructive increase in the salinity of the lake and marshes.

Reed beds, sedges and other fresh-water plant species have been replaced by halophytic plants, with a consequent sharp reduction in the migratory bird populations dependent on the habitat the lake formerly provided. According to IUCN, all reed-dependent species such as purple heron, purple gallinule and reed warblers have disappeared.


* : 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.