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State of Conservation (SOC)

Manas Wildlife Sanctuary (1989)

UNESCO Extra-Budgetary Funds
International Assistance granted to the property

Requests Approved: 0
Total Amount Ap proved: 0USD

Missions**
Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports

Construction of a dam (issue resolved)

Corrective Measures
Current conservation issues

The Bureau heard a verbal report from IUCN that this site had been invaded in February 1989 by several hundreds of local Bodo tribes people and this had caused great damage to the park and loss Of life. The Indian authorities had sent in the police to halt further destruction, but the problem of illegal encroachment was still not resolved. The Bureau requested the Secretariat to contact the Indian authorities to express its concern over this situation and encourage taking appropriate measures to restore the site.

Subsequently, IUCN has received reports that at least six but almost certainly more Indian rhinoceros and at least four tigers were killed as a consequence of the disturbances as well as some elephants. A large number of trees have been felled and the habitat of species such as golden langur, hispid hare and pygmy hog put at risk.

IUCN has itself taken initiatives including a letter to the Prime Minister of India and the Chief Minister of Assam expressing concern and also conveying a resolution of IUCN's Species Survival Commission urging restoration of the integrity of the Sanctuary.

At the time of writing, IUCN understands that the Bodo tribe has agreed to end its agitation in favour of a negotiated settlement and there are reports of official action to reinstate management of the occupied areas.

Conclusion
Decision

  • Adopted

  • Draft Decision

13COMVIII.16
Link to the decision

Manas Wildlife Sanctuary (India)

IUCN reported on the invasion of this site in February 1989 by the Bodo tribespeople. IUCN reported that it had been consulting with the Indian authorities, and it had been informed that measures were being taken to resolve this problem. The Committee decided to ask the Secretariat to follow up the situation with the Indian authorities.

 

No draft Decision

Manas Wildlife Sanctuary
State Party:
India
Date of Inscription: 1985
Nomination records (Year): 1984
Category: Natural
Criteria: (vii)(ix)(x)
Exports
Word File
SOC Reports (year)
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
1994
1993
1992
1991
1990
1989
1986
Threats*
  • Land conversion
  • Identity, social cohesion, changes in local population and community
  • Illegal activities
  • Civil unrest
  • Other Threats:
Documents
SC.89/CONF.004/05
Other Documents:
View inscribed site documents, nomination file, reports, decisions, ...
SOC ID: 1599
Inscription on the Danger List
Year: 1992 -2011
Threats to the Site:

The Committee decided to include this site on the World Heritage in Danger List in 1992, when it was invaded by militants of the Bodo tribe in Assam. Damage to the sanctuary was estimated at more than two million US dollars.

The site's infrastructure suffered considerable damage during 1992-93. Political instability seems to have led to poaching during this period of thirty-three rhinos.

 


* : 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.