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State of Conservation (SOC)

Kahuzi-Biega National Park (1994)

UNESCO Extra-Budgetary Funds
International Assistance granted to the property

Requests Approved: 0 (from1980-1994)
Total Amount Ap proved: 63,870USD

1994 Financial contribution for the protection of Kahuzi-Biega ...   25,000  USD
1992 Review of the state of conservation of World Heritage sites in ...   3,750  USD
1988 Purchase of a 4x4 Jeep for Kahuzi Biega National Park   20,000  USD
1980 Equipment for Kahuzi-Biega National Park   15,120  USD
Missions**
Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports
  • Proposed construction of a highway (issue resolved)
Corrective Measures
Current conservation issues

Kahuzi Biega National Park, inscribed on the World Heritage List under criterion (iv) in 1980, and Virunga National Park, inscribed under criteria (ii)(iii)(iv) in 1979, both contain the last population of mountain gorillas.

Due to the tragic events in Rwanda, both parks are under threat given the massive arrival of refugees from Rwanda. On 31 August 1994 the World Heritage Centre was informed that a UNHCR refugees camp for 50,000 people was going to be established near a three-kilometre strip of the Kahuzi-Biega National Park near Ihembe. The World Heritage Centre contacted immediately the UNHCR (Geneva), the Director of IZCN, Mr. Mankoto Ma Mbaelele, (Kinshasa), who was carrying out monitoring missions at World Heritage sites in Zaire, and a bilateral project by the GTZ (Germany). The Centre obtained relocation of the camp near Uvira which took the pressure from the site.

However, in spite of the relocation of the camp, the entire region and particularly Virunga National Park, situated at the border between Rwanda and Uganda has been destabilized by the uncontrolled arrival of refugees causing deforestation and poaching at the sites. In order to assist Zaire in this critical state and to help stabilize the situation, the Chairperson of the World Heritage Committee approved a total of US$ 50,000 emergency assistance for both sites, Kahuzi-Biega National Park and Virunga National Park. With the relocation of the camp, the Kahuzi-Biega World Heritage site seems to be less threatened, whereas the situation at Virunga National Park remains very critical.

Conclusion

The Committee is requested to examine the report to be presented by IUCN and to consider then if any action should be taken.

Decision

  • Adopted

  • Draft Decision

No draft Decision

Kahuzi-Biega National Park
State Party:
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Date of Inscription: 1980
Nomination records (Year): 1979
Category: Natural
Criteria: (x)
Documents
Original Documents
WHC.94/CONF.003/06
Other Documents
View inscribed site documents, nomination file, reports, decisions, ...
Exports
Word File
SOC Reports
SOC Reports by year
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
1994
1991
1990
Detailed List of SOC reports
Threats*
Identity, social cohesion, changes in local population and community
Illegal activities
War
Inscription on the Danger List
Year: 1997
Threats to the Site:

Grave concern that portions of the Kahuzi-Biega National Park had been deforested and that hunting had been reported there, as well as war and civil strife ravaging the country, led the World Heritage Committee to inscribe the property on the List of World Heritage in Danger.

The property has been much affected by the influx of refugees. Park facilities had been looted and destroyed, and most of the park staff have fled the area. The park may also be serving as a hideout for large militia groups, as well as for illegal settlers. This has led to fires, increased poaching and the illegal removal and burning of timber. 


* : 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.