Virunga National Park
Factors affecting the property in 2012*
- Civil unrest
- Illegal activities
- Land conversion
- Livestock farming / grazing of domesticated animals
- Oil and gas
- War
Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports
a) Armed conflict, lack of security and political instability;
b) Attribution of a petroleum exploration permit inside the property;
c) Poaching by the army and armed groups;
d) Encroachment;
e) Extension of illegal fishing areas;
f) Deforestation and cattle grazing.
Threats for which the property was inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger
- Increased poaching of wildlife;
- Incapability of staff to patrol the 650 km long boundary of the Park;
- Massive influx of 1 million refugees occupying adjacent parts of the Park;
- Widespread depletion of forests in the lowlands.
Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger
Corrective Measures for the property
UNESCO Extra-Budgetary Funds until 2012
Total amount provided to the property: 2001-2005, the property received USD 900,000 in the framework of the UNESCO programme for the conservation of DRC World Heritage properties. 2005-2009, USD 300,000. 2010-2012, USD 411,900 (funded by United Nations Foundation, Italy, Belgium and Spain).
Rapid Response Facility: 2007, USD 30,000. USD 90,000 in support to the project to develop alternative energy sources to charcoal (funded by the French-speaking Community of Belgium).
International Assistance: requests for the property until 2012
Total amount approved : 253,560 USD
| 2005 | Preparation of transboundary nomination for the Virunga ... (Approved) | 15,000 USD |
| 2000 | Emergency assistance to World Natural Heritage of the ... (Approved) | 26,400 USD |
| 1999 | Support to Resident Staff of Garamba, Virunga, Kahuzi ... (Approved) | 35,000 USD |
| 1994 | Financial contribution for the protection of ... (Approved) | 25,000 USD |
| 1993 | Financial contribution for the purchase of equipment ... (Approved) | 20,000 USD |
| 1992 | Review of the state of conservation of World Heritage ... (Approved) | 3,750 USD |
| 1991 | Purchase of a motor boat and of spare parts for motor ... (Approved) | 40,000 USD |
| 1990 | Training of 2 specialists each from Salonga and Virunga ... (Approved) | 4,750 USD |
| 1988 | Equipment to improve protective measures in Virunga ... (Approved) | 40,000 USD |
| 1980 | Assistance for Virunga National Park (equipment and ... (Approved) | 43,660 USD |
Missions to the property until 2012**
April 1996: World Heritage Centre reactive monitoring mission; March 2006: World Heritage Centre monitoring mission; August 2007: joint World Heritage Centre/IUCN reinforced monitoring mission; December 2010: World Heritage Centre reactive monitoring mission.
Conservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 2012
The State Party submitted a state of conservation report on 2 February 2012. This report highlights an increase in the wildlife populations in the eastern sector of the Park on the Lulimbi plateau and the Rwindi plain, and the birth of nine gorillas in the Mikeno sector. It also mentions a timid return of tourism, mainly for gorilla visits and climbing volcanoes. However, the report notes that the persistence of pockets of militias in the Park at the Nyamulagira, Mount Kasali sectors and on the south and west coasts of Lake Edward remains a major constraint for its management.
The report provides information on progress in implementing corrective measures adopted at the 35th session of World Heritage Committee:
a) Take steps at the highest level to halt illegal exploitation of natural resources of the Park, particularly poaching, charcoal production and fishing by undisciplined elements of the army and armed groups operating within the property
The report gives a detailed description of surveillance and protection operations in the Park and signals the resumption of control of 80% of the Park: 17 joint operations with the Armed Forces of the DRC (FARDC) were organized, and 43,000 man-days of patrols were deployed. Out of 650 people arrested, 39 were armed and transferred to the military prosecutor. 121 civilians were transferred to the Country Prosecutor’s Office.
A programme of electric fencing of the Mikeno sector boundary is underway to protect the crops of local farmers from depredation by wildlife. The report notes a heavy toll of 11 guards killed in successive attacks and a guard who died following an accident.
The report does not provide details on measures taken at the highest level to support these monitoring efforts.
b) Strengthen efforts to disarm armed groups operating in and around the property, in cooperation with the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO)
The State Party points out that the managing authority of the Park collaborated and provided logistical support to the FARDC (reconnaissance flights, communication, transport) in three joint operations to dislodge armed groups from the Park.
The report notes that the positions of the armed groups inside and outside the Park are known, but that, increasingly, they are small, highly mobile groups.
The report does not provide information on cooperation with MONUSCO concerning the disarmament of armed groups operating in and around the property.
c) Immediate closure and removal of the Nyaleke army training and reunification camp within the Park, in accordance with the decision of the Minister of Defence
The State Party points out that much of the Nyaleke army training and reunification camp inside the Park has been evacuated and the remaining armed elements represent only a small threat. However, it notes that the complete evacuation of the camp is not yet scheduled. No timetable on the complete evacuation and destruction of the camp is provided.
d) Take measures at the highest level to enable the ICCN to continue the peaceful evacuation of illegal occupants in the property without political interference
The State Party indicates that a second forum on the issue of development of natural resources of Virunga National Park was organized. During this forum, the participants pledged to evacuate the Park. The populations of Kilolirwe expressed their willingness to leave the Park as soon as security conditions are met in areas where they will settle. The report notes that encroachment at Lubiliha has increased, however, UNESCO, (IOM) the International Organization for Migration, UN HABITAT and the Congolese authorities have undertaken measures, and a study is ongoing to relocate offices built in the Park, and evacuate populations to the identified site of COTONGO, where the subdivision is in progress.
The World Heritage Centre noted that MONUSCO has called on UNESCO to facilitate dialogue with ICCN and to resolve population / Park conflicts, at Lubiliha. This initiative led to the joint IOM / UNESCO / ICCN / MONUSCO project. Following this intervention, the border crossing will be transferred outside the Park by June 2012. The displacement outside the Park of the State administrations illegally installed in the Park shows the willingness of the State Party to find solutions to restore the territorial integrity of the property and will send a strong signal to remaining populations. The World Heritage Centre notes that for the area of the west coast of Lake Edward, new activities for peaceful evacuation are planned in the framework of the conservation programme for the DRC, with funding from Belgium.
e) Continue law enforcement focusing on priority areas, and maintain the measures taken in the context of the institutional reform to re-motivate the personnel of the Park
The State Party indicates that the institutional reform has led to the downsizing of staff from 990 to 340 officers and administrative and technical staff. It points out that it is important to continue to recruit guards to compensate for deaths and staff retirement.
f) Pursue communication and awareness raising activities targeted at the competent authorities and local populations
The State Party points out that following the organization of the second forum mentioned above, a consultation framework was put in place, which resulted in the creation of three forums for dialogue on issues of conflict resolution and fishing on Lake Edward. The report provides no information on the nature of these three forums for dialogue, or on their actions.
g) Pursue actions to eliminate all charcoal production within the property, and promote alternative energy sources
The State Party points out that the carbonization problem has significantly diminished and that alternatives and actions to reduce wood consumption were put in place. The report notes that in 2011, 2533 ha of land were reforested, 11,200 improved stoves were distributed, and a hydro-electric micro power station financed by the Park is under construction. It will serve more than forty thousand inhabitants.
The World Heritage Centre and IUCN note the improved situation as regards the carbonization problem which is a major threat to the integrity of the site, but also note the importance of providing quantitative information on this decline.
h) Petroleum exploration
The State Party report affirms that petroleum exploration may cause serious harm to the property's Outstanding Universal Value. It states that following the Government’s announcement of the suspension of exploration, a strategic environmental assessment was undertaken. But the SOCO Company, assigned to one of three petroleum exploration blocks straddling the Park, continues to hold meetings hostile to the Park.
The World Heritage Centre and IUCN were informed of the signing of two ministerial decrees authorizing the start of petroleum exploration and the issuance of a Certificate of Environmental Acceptability to SOCO for its aeromagnetic and aerogravimetric data gathering campaign. In a letter dated 17 April 2012 addressed to the President, the Director-General of UNESCO expressed her deepest concern about these decrees, which are contrary to the Government's decision of March 2011 to suspend petroleum exploration pending completion of the strategic environmental assessment. This letter was preceded by a communication of 5 March 2012 from the Director of the World Heritage Centre to the Ministry of the Environment, Nature Conservation and Tourism. In his reply dated 19 April, the Minister clarified that the aerogravimetric and aeromagnetic data gathering campaign will be carried out without physical incursion into the Park and that a decision on petroleum exploration will be taken based on the results of the strategic environmental assessment.
The World Heritage Centre and IUCN were also informed that one of the two other petroleum exploration blocks straddling the Park was awarded to the TOTAL Petroleum company by Presidential decree.
Analysis and Conclusion by World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies in 2012
The World Heritage Centre and IUCN note the significant progress reported by the State Party in the implementation of certain corrective measures, including resumption of control of 80% of the Park despite the persistence of pockets of militias in the Park, marked reduction in the carbonization problem, the measures taken against encroachment at Lubiliha and the creation of forums for dialogue with communities to resolve some important conflicts.
The World Heritage Centre and IUCN take note that the State Party mentions an increase in the numbers of wildlife in some sectors of the Park and consider that given that the numbers of most large mammal species of the plains have been reduced by 50% to 96% since the property’s inscription, it will take time to restore these populations. They recommend that aerial surveys of key species be performed regularly to confirm these positive trends and to monitor the indicators set for the Desired State of Conservation for removing the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger.
The World Heritage Centre and IUCN recommend that the Committee express its deep concern over the granting of the Certificate of Environmental Acceptability for the aeromagnetic and aerogravimetric data collecting campaign and that it reiterates its request to cancel all the permits for petroleum exploration within the property’s boundaries.
The World Heritage Centre and IUCN note that the significant funding mobilized for the conservation of the property, notably by the European Commission, reflects the importance that the international community attaches to this site, and seems to be bearing fruit, but they also note that the petroleum exploration and exploitation projects could destroy these efforts. Therefore, they recommend retaining Virunga National Park on the List of World Heritage in Danger and maintaining the Reinforced Monitoring Mechanism for this property.
Summary of the interventions
Decisions adopted by the Committee in 2012
36 COM 7A.36
World Heritage properties of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)
The World Heritage Committee,
1. Having examined Document WHC-12/36.COM/7A.Add,
2. Recalling Decision 35 COM 7A.35, adopted at its 35th session (UNESCO, 2011),
3. Expresses its concern that signature of the January 2011 Kinshasa Declaration has not yet resulted in a concerted action between the different Ministries, the army and different technical agencies which is necessary to resolve some urgent conservation issues in the sites and create the conditions for their rehabilitation;
4. Notes with concern the consistent reports from different properties about continued involvement of elements of the Congolese Army in illegal exploitation of the natural resources;
5. Considers that the recent permit which has been granted to the international oil and gas company SOCO to start oil exploration activities in Virunga National Park is not in conformity with commitments made by the State Party in the Kinshasa Declaration;
6. Urges the State Party to ensure a full implementation of the commitments made in the Kinshasa Declaration and ensure the implementation of the Strategic Action Plan and in particular to urgently set up the inter-ministerial committee to ensure that specific activities of the action plan which need political decisions or the cooperation and commitment from other Ministries and state entities are implemented;
7. Welcomes the continued support from donor countries for the conservation of the five properties of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the on-going efforts to set up a sustainable financing mechanism;
8. Requests the State Party in close cooperation with the World Heritage Centre and IUCN to organize an evaluation of the implementation of the action plan, identify obstacles to its implementation and ways to address these with the concerned Ministries and present a report on this evaluation to the World Heritage Centre, for consideration by the World Heritage Committee at its 37th session in 2013.
36 COM 7A.4
Virunga National Park (Democratic Republic of the Congo) (N 63)
The World Heritage Committee,
1. Having examined Document WHC-12/36.COM/7A.Add,
2. Recalling Decision 35 COM 7A.4, adopted at its 35th session (UNESCO, 2011),
3. Extends its deepest condolences to the families of guards killed during operations conducted to protect the property, since its last session;
4. Welcomes with satisfaction the significant progress reported by the State Party in the implementation of certain corrective measures, including the resumption of control of 80% of the Park, despite the persistence of pockets of militias in the Park, diminishment of the carbonization problem, the measures taken against encroachment at Lubiliha and the creation of forums for dialogue with the communities to resolve important conflicts;
5. Expresses its deep concern over the granting of a Certificate of Environmental Acceptability for an aeromagnetic and aerogravimetric data gathering campaign, which appears to contradict the Government's decision announced at the 35th session of the Committee to suspend petroleum exploration pending completion of the strategic environmental assessment;
6. Reiterates its request to the State Party to revise its authorizations and not to grant new authorizations for petroleum and mining exploration and exploitation within the property boundaries and recalls its position on the incompatibility of petroleum and mining exploration and exploitation with World Heritage status;
7. Appeals to the TOTAL and SOCO companies to adhere to commitments already made by Shell and ICMM not to undertake petroleum and mining exploration or exploitation within World Heritage properties;
8. Notes that the TOTAL company, in conformity with its current policy of non-exploration of the protected areas of the park, has not undertaken any petroleum or mining exploration or exploitation within the World Heritage properties, and invites it to formally commit to this policy;
9. Requests States Parties to the Convention to make every effort to ensure that petroleum and mining companies in their territory cause no damage the World Heritage properties, in accordance with Article 6 of the Convention;
10. Notes that the report of the State Party refers to an unquantified increase in the numbers of wildlife in some areas of the Park, and considers that it will take time to restore these populations, given that the numbers of most species of large mammals of the plains have been reduced by 50% to 96% since the inscription of the property;
11. Also requests the State Party to undertake aerial surveys of key species to confirm these positive trends and monitor indicators established for the Desired State of Conservation for removing the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger;
12. Urges the State Party to continue the implementation of the corrective measures decided by the Committee at its 35th session (UNESCO, 2011) in accordance with the commitments in the Kinshasa Declaration to rehabilitate the Outstanding Universal Value of the property;
13. Further requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2013, a detailed and quantified report on the conservation status of the property and on progress in implementing corrective measures, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 37th session in 2013;
14. Decides to continue the application of the Reinforced Monitoring Mechanism;
15. Also decides to retain Virunga National Park (Democratic Republic of the Congo) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
36 COM 8C.2
Establishment of the World Heritage List in Danger (Maintained Properties)
The World Heritage Committee,
1. Following the examination of the state of conservation reports of properties inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger (WHC-12/36.COM/7A and WHC-12/36.COM/7A.Add),
2. Decides to maintain the following properties on the List of World Heritage in Danger:
- Afghanistan, Minaret and Archaeological Remains of Jam (Decision 36 COM 7A.25)
- Afghanistan, Cultural Landscape and Archaeological Remains of the Bamiyan Valley (Decision 36 COM 7A.26)
- Belize, Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System (Decision 36 COM 7A.15)
- Central African Republic, Manovo-Gounda St Floris National Park (Decision 36 COM 7A.1)
- Chile, Humberstone and Santa Laura Saltpeter Works (Decision 36 COM 7A.33)
- Colombia, Los Katíos National Park (Decision 36 COM 7A.16)
- Côte d'Ivoire, Comoé National Park (Decision 36 COM 7A.2)
- Côte d'Ivoire / Guinea, Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve (Decision 36 COM 7A.3)
- Democratic Rep. of the Congo, Virunga National Park (Decision 36 COM 7A.4)
- Democratic Rep. of the Congo, Kahuzi-Biega National Park (Decision 36 COM 7A.5)
- Democratic Rep. of the Congo, Garamba National Park (Decision 36 COM 7A.6)
- Democratic Rep. of the Congo, Salonga National Park (Decision 36 COM 7A.7)
- Democratic Rep. of the Congo, Okapi Wildlife Reserve (Decision 36 COM 7A.8)
- Egypt, Abu Mena (Decision 36 COM 7A.20)
- Ethiopia, Simien National Park (Decision 36 COM 7A.9)
- Georgia, Bagrati Cathedral and Gelati Monastery (Decision 36 COM 7A.30)
- Georgia, Historical Monuments of Mtskheta (Decision 36 COM 7A.31)
- Honduras, Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve (Decision 36 COM 7A.17)
- Indonesia, Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra (Decision 36 COM 7A.13)
- Iraq, Ashur (Qal'at Sherqat) (Decision 36 COM 7A.21)
- Iraq, Samarra Archaeological City (Decision 36 COM 7A.22)
- Islamic Republic of Iran, Bam and its Cultural Landscape (Decision 36 COM 7A.27)
- Jerusalem, Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls (Decision 36 COM 7A.23.I)
- Madagascar, Rainforests of the Atsinanana (Decision 36 COM 7A.10)
- Niger, Air and Ténéré Natural Reserves (Decision 36 COM 7A.11)
- Peru, Chan Chan Archaelogical Zone (Decision 36 COM 7A.34)
- Senegal, Niokolo-Koba National Park (Decision 36 COM 7A.12)
- Serbia, Medieval Monuments in Kosovo (Decision 36 COM 7A.32)
- United Rep. of Tanzania, Ruins of Kilwa Kisiwani and Ruins of Songo Mnara (Decision 36 COM 7A.19)
- Uganda, Tombs of Buganda Kings at Kasubi (Decision 36 COM 7A.18)
- United States of America, Everglades National Park (Decision 36 COM 7A.14)
- Venezuela, Coro and its Port (Decision 36 COM 7A.35)
- Yemen, Historic Town of Zabid (Decision 36 COM 7A.24)
36 COM 8E
Adoption of retrospective Statements of Outstanding Universal Value
The World Heritage Committee,
1. Having examined Document WHC-12/36.COM/8E,
2. Congratulates States Parties for the excellent work accomplished in the elaboration of retrospective Statements of Outstanding Universal Value for World Heritage properties in their territories;
3. Adopts the retrospective Statements of Outstanding Universal Value, as presented in the Annex of Document WHC-12/36.COM/8E, for the following World Heritage properties:
- Australia: Great Barrier Reef; Lord Howe Island Group; Gondwana Rainforests of Australia; Wet Tropics of Queensland; Fraser Island; Australian Fossil Mammal Sites (Riversleigh / Naracoorte); Heard and McDonald Islands; Macquarie Island; Purnululu National Park;
- Bangladesh: Historic Mosque City of Bagerhat;
- Cambodia: Angkor;
- China: Mount Taishan; The Great Wall; Imperial Palaces of the Ming and Qing Dynasties in Beijing and Shenyang; Mogao Caves; Peking Man Site at Zhoukoudian; Jiuzhaigou Valley Scenic and Historic Interest Area; Temple and Cemetery of Confucius, and the Kong Family Mansion in Qufu; Ancient Building Complex in the Wudang Mountains; Historic Ensemble of the Potala Palace, Lhasa; Lushan National Park; Mount Emei Scenic Area, including Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area; Old Town of Lijiang; Temple of Heaven: an Imperial Sacrificial Altar in Beijing; Mount Wuyi; Dazu Rock Carvings; Mount Qincheng and the Dujiangyan Irrigation System; Capital Cities and Tombs of the Ancient Koguryo Kingdom; Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuaries – Wolong, Mt Siguniang and Jiajin Mountains;
- Côte d’Ivoire and Guinea: Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve;
- Democratic People’s Republic of Korea: Complex of Koguryo Tombs;
- Democratic Republic of the Congo: Virunga National Park; Garamba National Park; Kahuzi-Biega National Park; Salonga National Park;
- Egypt: Wadi Al-Hitan (Whale Valley);
- Estonia: Historic Centre (Old Town) of Tallinn;
- Ethiopia: Rock-Hewn Churches, Lalibela; Lower Valley of the Awash; Lower Valley of the Omo; Harar Jugol, the Fortified Historic Town;
- Gambia: Kunta Kinteh Island and Related Sites;
- Gambia and Senegal: Stone Circles of Senegambia;
- Ghana: Forts and Castles, Volta, Greater Accra, Central and Western Regions; Asante Traditional Buildings;
- India: Taj Mahal; Keoladeo National Park; Sundarbans National Park; Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks;
- Indonesia: Borobudur Temple Compounds; Prambanan Temple Compounds;
- Islamic Republic of Iran: Bam and its Cultural Landscape;
- Kazakhstan: Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi; Petroglyphs within the Archaeological Landscape of Tamgaly;
- Madagascar: Tsingy de Bemaraha Strict Nature Reserve; Royal Hill of Ambohimanga;
- Malaysia: Gunung Mulu National Park;
- Mali: Timbuktu; Cliff of Bandiagara (Land of the Dogons); Tomb of Askia;
- Mongolia: Orkhon Valley Cultural Landscape;
- Nepal: Sagarmatha National Park; Kathmandu Valley; Chitwan National Park; Lumbini, the Birthplace of the Lord Buddha;
- New Zealand: Te Wahipounamu – South West New Zealand; New Zealand Sub-Antarctic Islands;
- Nigeria: Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove;
- Pakistan: Archaeological Ruins at Moenjodaro;
- Philippines: Baroque Churches of the Philippines; Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park;
- Republic of Korea: Seokguram Grotto and Bulguksa Temple; Haeinsa Temple Janggyeong Pangeon, the Depositories for the Tripitaka Koreana Woodblocks; Jongmyo Shrine; Changdeokgung Palace Complex; Hwaseong Fortress; Gyeongju Historic Areas; Gochang, Hwasun and Ganghwa Dolmen Sites;
- Solomon Islands: East Rennell;
- Thailand: Historic City of Ayutthaya;
- Turkmenistan: State Historical and Cultural Park “Ancient Merv”; Kunya-Urgench;
- United Republic of Tanzania: Serengeti National Park; Kondoa Rock-Art Sites;
- Uzbekistan: Historic Centre of Bukhara; Historic Centre of Shakhrisyabz; Samarkand – Crossroad of Cultures;
- Viet Nam: Ha Long Bay; My Son Sanctuary; Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park;
- Zambia and Zimbabwe: Mosi-oa-Tunya / Victoria Falls;
- Zimbabwe: Great Zimbabwe National Monument; Khami Ruins National Monument; Matobo Hills;
4. Decides that retrospective Statements of Outstanding Universal Value for World Heritage properties in Danger will be reviewed by the Advisory Bodies in priority;
5. Further decides that, considering the high number of retrospective Statements of Outstanding Universal Value to be examined, the order in which they will be reviewed by the Advisory Bodies will follow the Second Cycle of Periodic Reporting, namely:
- World Heritage properties in the Arab States;
- World Heritage properties in Africa;
- World Heritage properties in Asia and the Pacific;
- World Heritage properties in Latin America and the Caribbean;
- World Heritage properties in Europe and North America.
Draft Decision: 36 COM 7A.4
The World Heritage Committee,
1. Having examined Document WHC-12/36.COM/7A.Add,
2. Recalling Decision 35 COM 7A.4, adopted at its 35th session (UNESCO, 2011),
3. Extends its deepest condolences to the families of guards killed during operations conducted to protect the property, since its last session;
4. Welcomes with satisfaction the significant progress reported by the State Party in the implementation of certain corrective measures, including the resumption of control of 80% of the Park, despite the persistence of pockets of militias in the Park, diminishment of the carbonization problem, the measures taken against encroachment at Lubiliha and the creation of forums for dialogue with the communities to resolve important conflicts;
5. Expresses its deep concern over the granting of a Certificate of Environmental Acceptability for an aeromagnetic and aerogravimetric data gathering campaign, which appears to contradict the Government's decision announced at the 35th session of the Committee to suspend petroleum exploration pending completion of the strategic environmental assessment;
6. Reiterates its request to the State Party to cancel all permits for petroleum exploration within the property boundaries and recalls its position on the incompatibility of petroleum exploration and exploitation with World Heritage status;
7. Appeals to the TOTAL and SOCO companies to adhere to commitments already made by Shell and ICMM not to undertake petroleum exploration or exploitation within World Heritage properties;
8. Requests States Parties to the Convention to make every effort to ensure that petroleum and mining companies in their territory cause no damage the World Heritage properties, in accordance with Article 6 of the Convention;
9. Notes that the report of the State Party refers to an unquantified increase in the numbers of wildlife in some areas of the Park, and considers that it will take time to restore these populations, given that the numbers of most species of large mammals of the plains have been reduced by 50% to 96% since the inscription of the property;
10. Also requests the State Party to undertake aerial surveys of key species to confirm these positive trends and monitor indicators established for the Desired State of Conservation for removing the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger;
11. Urges the State Party to continue the implementation of the corrective measures decided by the Committee at its 35th session (UNESCO, 2011) in accordance with the commitments in the Kinshasa Declaration to rehabilitate the Outstanding Universal Value of the property;
12. Further requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2013, a detailed and quantified report on the conservation status of the property and on progress in implementing corrective measures, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 37th session in 2013;
13. Decides to continue the application of the Reinforced Monitoring Mechanism;
14. Also decides to retain Virunga National Park (Democratic Republic of the Congo) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
Democratic Republic of the Congo
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.
