Arabian Oryx Sanctuary
Factors affecting the property in 1996*
- Illegal activities
- Legal framework
- Localised utilities
- Management systems/ management plan
Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports
- Boundary question
- Management regime
- Legal status of the different components
International Assistance: requests for the property until 1996
Total amount approved : 15,000 USD
| 1994 | Preparation of a management plan for the Arabian Oryx ... (Approved) | 15,000 USD |
Missions to the property until 1996**
Information presented to the Bureau of the World Heritage Committee in 1996
The Centre received a progress report, dated March 1996, on the ongoing planning activities for the site. IUCN will present to the Bureau its evaluation of the findings of this report.
Action Required
The Bureau may wish to review the evaluation of this report presented by IUCN.
Conservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 1996
The Centre received a progress report, dated March 1996, on the ongoing planning activities for the site and a schedule of activities. IUCN noted several recent developments in the Sanctuary that are of concern: (1) poaching of thirteen Oryx, and (2) the construction of a reverse osmosis plant which has resulted in significant damage to the desert habitat. The Bureau requested the Centre to contact the Omani authorities encouraging them to provide the definition of the final boundaries of the site and expressing concern over the poaching and construction activities. No response has been received at the time of the preparation of this report.
Analysis and Conclusion by World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies in 1996
The Bureau may wish to adopt the following text and transmit it to the Committee for noting:
"The Bureau asks (a) the State Party to keep the Committee informed about the state of conservation of the site and progress on the planning and boundary definition project, (b) reiterates the clarification requested about the definition of the final boundaries of the site, and (c) requests clarification of the situation with respect to reported Oryx poaching and the reverse osmosis plant."
Summary of the interventions
Decisions adopted by the Committee in 1996
20 BUR IV.7
Arabian Oryx Sanctuary (Oman)
The Centre received a progress report, dated March 1996, on the ongoing planning activities for the site and a schedule of activities. IUCN noted several recent developments in the Sanctuary that are of concern: (1) the poaching of thirteen Oryx and (2) the construction of a reverse osmosis plant which has resulted in significant damage to the desert habitat. The Bureau requested the Centre to contact the Omani authorities encouraging them to provide the definition of the final boundaries of the site and expressing concern over the poaching and construction activities.
20 COM VII.D.39
SOC noted by Committee: Arabian Oryx Sanctuary (Oman)
VII.39 Arabian Oryx Sanctuary (Oman)
The Bureau recalled that at its nineteenth session it took note of a progress report, dated March 1996, on the ongoing planning activities for the site and a schedule of activities. IUCN had noted several recent developments in the Sanctuary that are of concern: (1) poaching of thirteen Oryx, and (2) the construction of a reverse osmosis plant which has resulted in significant damage to the desert habitat. The Bureau had requested the Centre to contact the Omani authorities encouraging them to provide the definition of the final boundaries of the site and expressing concern over the poaching and construction activities.
The Bureau at its twentieth extraordinary session recalled discussions held at the time of the inscription of the site and raised concern that no reply had been received from the Omani authorities since its last session. IUCN informed the Bureau of delays being experienced by the management authority in completing the management plan and defining boundaries in the context of other pressures. Proposals for IUCN to cooperate in an expert workshop to review the plan and boundaries were, however, encouraging.
The Bureau therefore : (a) invited the State Party to keep the Committee informed about the state of conservation of the site and progress on the planning and boundary definition project; (b) reitera ted the clarification requested about the definition of the final boundaries of the site by 15 April 1997; (c) requested clarification of the situation with respect to reported oryx poaching and the reverse osmosis plant, and (d) commended the proposal for an international workshop to be held in Oman in 1997 to review the draft management plan, including the definition of boundaries of the site, involving representatives of IUCN and the World Heritage Centre, in cooperation with the Omani authorities.
OmanExports
* :
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.
