UNESCO World Heritage Centre - State of Conservation (SOC 2012) Salonga National Park (Democratic Republic of the Congo)

Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports

a) Armed conflict, lack of security and political instability;

b) Poaching by the army and armed groups;

c) Conflicts with local communities concerning Park boundaries;

d) Impact of villages located within the property.

Threats for which the property was inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger

Impact due to conflict;
Increased poaching and illegal encroachment.

Corrective Measures for the property

Adopted, See page https://whc.unesco.org/en/decisions/1270

UNESCO Extra-Budgetary Funds until 2012

Total amount provided to the property: Conservation Programme for the World Heritage properties of the DRC (“DRC Programme”) funded by the United Nations Foundation (UNF), Italy and Belgium: approximately USD 320,000 from 2001 to 2005. UNF funding from 2005 to 2008.

International Assistance: requests for the property until 2012

Requests approved: 9 (from 1985-2000)
Total amount approved : 149,900 USD

2000	Emergency assistance to World Natural Heritage of the ... (Approved)	5,400 USD
1999	Emergency support for Parc National de la Salonga (Approved) Reapproval: 22 Mar, 2002 (n°1520 - 20,000 USD)	20,000 USD
1992	Review of the state of conservation of World Heritage ... (Approved)	3,750 USD
1990	Reinforcement of protection for Salonga National Park: ... (Approved)	60,000 USD
1990	Training of 2 specialists each from Salonga and Virunga ... (Approved)	4,750 USD
1987	Financial contribution for the preparation of a ... (Approved)	6,000 USD
1987	Additional costs of equipment for Salonga National Park (Approved)	12,000 USD
1985	Equipment and financial contribution towards the ... (Approved)	28,000 USD
1985	18-month training for a specialist from Salonga ... (Approved)	10,000 USD

Missions to the property until 2012**

2007: World Heritage Centre/IUCN reactive monitoring mission.

2012	Mission de suivi réactif de l’Etat de Conservation du Parc National de la Salonga, République démocratique du Congo ...
2007	Mission conjointe de suivi réactif UNESCO/IUCN au Parc national de la Salonga, République démocratique du Congo ...
2001	Report on a mission led by the Director of the World Heritage Centre to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, 24 ...
2000	Report on intermediary mission to the DRC

Conservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 2012

On 2 February 2012, a report on the state of conservation of the property was submitted by the State Party with information on the State Party efforts to secure the property. From 2 to 15 March 2012, a joint World Heritage Centre and IUCN mission visited the property to assess its state of conservation, progress achieved in the implementation of the corrective measures and etablish the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger, as requested by the World Heritage Committee at its 35th session. The mission report is available on line at the following Internet address : https://whc.unesco.org/fen/sessions/35COM

The mission confirmed that the main threats to the integrity of the property, identified by previous missions, remain current, notably insecurity due to the presence of armed bands, poaching by the military and local communities, conflicts with local communities regarding Park boundaries and fishing in rivers forming the natural boundary of the Park, the absence of protected ecological continuum between the two sectors of the Park and the impact of villages located within the Park. Based on information gathered, the mission considered that the situation in the property has further deteriorated since the 2007 reactive monitoring mission. However, the mission notes that the insecurity situation, that had resulted in the establishment of an illegal administration in and around certain parts of the Park, has incited the State to launch, in October 2011, an important mixed operation, between the ICCN management authority and the FARDC armed forces, called ‘Operation Bonobo’ to reestablish authority and combat large-scale poaching. The mission also notes a general low morale in the guards as well as the partners due to the very poor involvement of the authorities in the restoration of the Outstanding Universal Value of the Park and its management.

Progress in the implementation of the previous Committee decision was evaluated by the mission:

a) Organize and implement a mixed operation to combat large-scale poaching between the Congolese Armed Forces and the ICCN management authority in the most threatened zones

Following the identification of about ten armed groups in the property, representing about 200 poachers, a security operation was launched as of 3 October 2011, before the general elections. At the time of the mission, 22 poachers had been arrested, 9 judged and sentenced (two freed following appeal). 140 weapons of war and 70 hunting rifles were seized. Five poachers were killed. Some poachers hid in one of the villages in the Park. During the mission, the operation was extended by four months to track down poachers in their hide-outs. Although the mission considers that this operation was very positive, it notes that no control mechanism seems to have been established to prevent the military, who remain in small numbers in the property, from engaging in poaching activities, as has been observed on other occasions. Also, the indispensible and immediate measures to ensure the continuity of this operation to restore and establish effective long-term control of the Park by the ICCN, do not appear to have been taken.

b) Establish a permanent consultation structure between the political, administrative and military provincial authorities of the four provinces concerned with the property to eliminate, in a coordinated manner, illegal activities, notably large-scale poaching, in the Park

The mission notes that a permanent consultation structure between the four provinces exists, but has only met once in 2008. It appears that there is some confusion between this permanent consultation structure and a quadripartite meeting of the Governors, MONUSCO and the chiefs of the military regions to coordinate ‘Operation Bonobo’.

The mission considers that at the present time, it is indispensible to formalize this consultation structure and to perpetuate its functioning and mandate.

c) Implement the anti-poaching strategy recently developed and an operational system of Law Enforcement Monitoring (LEM)

Despite its repeated requests, the mission was unable to obtain a copy or even simply the outline of this anti-poaching strategy that should have been finalized in 2007. In any event, the 2007 strategy is probably obsolete after six years without any real implementation and should at least be updated.

The mission noted that 90 guards have been trained, but are still waiting to be integrated after two years. Currently, there are 200 poorly-equipped guards, with no means of transportation, and not possessing the necessary competences to carry out anti-poaching operations. The mission notes that several documents provide a figure of 600 guards being necessary for the protection of the property. The mission also notes the importance to ensure monitoring of the anti-poaching strategy that should be monitored and evaluated through the immediate implementation of the MIST system, adopted by the ICCN. Permanent monitoring of the results by the ad hoc committee is also necessary. The mission noted the strong interest indicated by the German Development Bank (KfW) and the WWF to become involved in the long-term management of the Park.

d) Initiate a procedure through a participatory process, to resolve conflict concerning the use of Park resources

The mission considers that apart from the issue of resident populations inside the Park (see point e), conflict concerning the use of natural resources of the Park essentially focus on the issue of the exact boundaries of the property and fishing in the rivers forming the natural boundary of the Park. The mission notes that over a total area of 334 km of non-natural boundaries to be delineated, roughly 110 km have been delineated since 2009 through a participatory process. The mission was also informed that an agreement protocol for the co-management of the Luilaka, Luile and Lokoro Rivers was signed on 24 June 2011, between the Park direction and the fishing associations. In this co-management agreement, fishing is authorized in all the waters up to the land boundary in high-water seasons, Park side. The mission notes that this authorizes fishing inside the Park over a large area and that this situation does not enable the effective control of the movement of poachers who use fishing as a pretext to penetrate into the Park to carry out illegal hunting. The mission emphasizes that uncontrolled circulation of fishermen in the Park hampers the capacity of ICCN to regain control. It considers that it would have been preferable to limit the fishing rights to river waters only. The mission notes that the agreement makes no mention of restrictions, the basis of all sustainable fishing strategies, in the absence of a quota or control of catches.

e) Urgently address the issue of the status of villages inside the Park

The mission notes that the Management Plan in the process of being validated, foresees the relocation of the two communities of the property. It considers that before deciding on this relocation, a study of the different options to manage this pressure should be conducted. This study should include the possible to control, over a given period, the activities of the communities, for example, through the adoption of regulations for the management of natural resources in the property (eventually on a temporary or transitory basis), indicating their control methods and actions to promote and encourage these communities to relocate outside the Park. This plan would be accompanied by a timetable to allow the ICCN and its partners to restore the necessary resources for the valid management of these zones, which does not appear to be the case at all today.

f) Reconnect, in the frame of the preparation of a development plan for Salonga National Park, the two sectors of the Park by means of a buffer zone

The mission notes that important work has been accomplished in the area between the two sectors of the property. Participatory zoning and an organization of the land has been carried out in its western two-thirds, already inhabited and preventing ecological continuum between the two blocks. On the contrary, in the eastern corridor a natural intact vegetation zone still exists that could constitute an excellent ecological corridor. This sector was the subject of a preliminary survey of biodiversity that revealed very good indicators of the presence of flagship species.

Work remains to be carried out with the communities to secure this area by granting it a listed status and conferring an appropriate governance, acceptable to the communities. The mission considers that the priority is, therefore, the adoption of this status and the governance of the zone of continuum, then the participatory drafting of its Management Plan.

g) Establish a special fund for the rehabilitation of the DRC World Heritage properties, with a Government contribution

See the general report on the DRC World Heritage propertie (see Document WHC-12/36.COM/7A.Add).

Other conservation issues

The mission was informed that Government interest exists for oil exploration and exploitation in the central basin which encompasses the property, but it did not have detailed information concerning this subject.

The mission notes that the impact of industrial logging has not yet affected the Park, and forest clearing for agriculture in the eight enclaves only affects a very limited area of the property in comparison to its exceptional size. The complexity and floral wealth of the habitats are therefore intact. From the fauna standpoint, the mission notes that there is no new data on the wildlife populations available since the 2007 mission. This mission had noted that the 2003 inventories showed an important reduction in elephant populations throughout the property. The mission notes that this population has since undergone intense ivory poaching. The mission concludes that although the Outstanding Universal Value of the property is mantained for the time being, it is increasingly threatened. Erosion of biodiversity continues and the integrity of the property is seriously questionable due to the above-mentioned threats. The mission has proposed an update of the corrective measures, with priorities, reproduced in the draft decision.

Based on the draft Statement of Outstanding Universal Value, the mission has attempted to prepare a proposal for the Desired state of conservation for removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger, with the management team of the Park, with indicators that could measure the restoration of the biological values of the property, its integrity and management. However, the exercise was hampered by the lack of data on the state of the animal populations of the Park or again the intensity of poaching, for both of the two sectors. It was decided to limit the type of indicators to be considered, without quantifying them for the present. These indicators are included in the mission report. The mission considers that it is extremely important to obtain additional data to finalize this proposal, notably inventories providing a more exact notion of the presence of animal biodiversity.

Analysis and Conclusion by World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies in 2012

The World Heritage Centre and IUCN note the recent progress in the security of the property, but emphasize that the corrective measure to combat poaching is not yet sufficiently completed, and that it is imperative that ICCN and its partners can, without delay, regain control of the area that has been abandoned by armed bands. The World Heritage Centre and IUCN also note the progress accomplished by the managers and their partners concerning the participatory management of the natural resources, in particular the delineation of the park. However, they draw the attention of the Committee to the management capacities of ICCN, that still remain too limited to deal with the enormous challenges and threats to the Outstanding Universal Value. In conclusion, they note that the situation in Salonga National Park has further deteriorated since the last reactive monitoring mission in 2007.

The World Heritage Centre and IUCN recommend that the Committee request the State Party for detailed information on the oil exploration and exploitation projects in the central basin that risk to overlap the property. They recommend that the World Heritage Committee adopt the corrective measures updated by the mission, to maintain the property on the List of World Heritage in Danger and to continue to apply the Reinforced Monitoring Mechanism.

Summary of the interventions

Read the discussion Summary Record / Résumé des interventions
WHC-12/36.COM/INF.19

Decisions adopted by the Committee in 2012

Adopted
Draft Decision

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.7

Salonga National Park (Democratic Republic of the Congo) (N 280)

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Having examined Document WHC-12/36.COM/7A.Add,

2. Recalling Decision 35 COM 7A.7, adopted at its 35th session (UNESCO, 2011),

3. Notes with satisfaction the recent progress in the security of the property and progress accomplished by the managers and their partners concerning the participatory management of the natural resources, notably the delineation of the property;

4. Expresses its deep concern regarding the conclusion of the reactive monitoring mission that the Outstanding Universal Value of the property, although intact, has further deteriorated since the 2007 reactive monitoring mission with erosion of biodiversity and questioning of the integrity of the property;

5. Requests the State Party for detailed information on the oil exploration and exploitation projects in the central basin that risk to overlap the property and recalls its established position on the incompatibility of oil exploration and exploitation with World Heritage status;

6. Urgently requests the State Party to implement the corrective measures, as updated by the joint World Heritage Centre/IUCN reactive monitoring mission of 2012 for the rehabilitation of the Outstanding Universal Value of the property:

a) Secure the property through the implementation of the third stage of ‘Operation Bonobo’ to eliminate the pockets of rebellion still present inside the property,

b) Revitalize the permanent consultation framework between the political, administrative and military provincial authorities of the four provinces concerned with the property to eliminate poaching in the Park by rapidly organizing a second meeting and establishing a monitoring mechanism for this consultation,

c) Revise, adapting to the current situation in the Park and implement the anti-poaching strategy and ensure its monitoring by immediately establishing the monitoring of law enforcement through the daily use of the MIST programme,

d) Implement without delay the overall ecological monitoring of the whole Salonga National Park to collect updated data to orient the anti-poaching strategy and finalize the Management Plan,

e) Address the conflicts concerning the management of natural resources by accelerating the participatory delineation process of the non-natural boundaries of the Park and pursue the present formalization procedure for the fishing associations by establishing a zoning, creating restricted zones and reconsidering the land boundary granted locally for fishing,

f) Pursue the creation of an ecological continuum between the two sectors of the Park through participatory work for the orientation of this area and propose a listing status for this protected area and accompany this process with a simple Management Plan,

g) Conduct studies concerning the situation and ecological impact of the two communities established inside the Park, before taking any relocation decision;

7. Takes note of the indicators developed by the mission with the management team of the Park and also requests the State Party, in collaboration with the World Heritage Centre and IUCN, to quantify these indicators based on the results of overall ecological monitoring of the whole property and the results of monitoring law enforcement to enable the proposal for the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger;

8. Further requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2013, a detailed report on the state of conservation of the property and progress achieved in the implementation of the updated corrective measures, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 37th session in 2013;

9. Decides to continue the application of the Reinforced Monitoring Mechanism;

10. Also decides to retain Salonga 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.7