Okapi Wildlife Reserve

• Impact of the conflict : looting of the infrastructures, poaching of elephants
• Presence of gold mining sites inside the property

Adopted in 2009 and revised in 2014, see page  https://whc.unesco.org/en/decisions/5983

Adopted in 2009 and revised in 2014, see page  https://whc.unesco.org/en/decisions/5983   

Adopted, see page https://whc.unesco.org/en/decisions/5983 

Total amount granted: USD 1,450,000, from the United Nations Foundation (UNF), Government of Belgium, the Rapid Response Facility (RRF) and the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund (UNPF)

On 13 February 2017, the State Party submitted a report on the state of conservation of the property, which is available at https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/718/documents/. Progress in implementing the corrective measures is provided as follows:

• The Congolese Institute for Conservation of Nature (ICCN) and the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) conducted joint patrols in targeted areas of the property using SMART (Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool) software, which indicated a decrease in monitoring area coverage in 2016 (52%) compared to 2015 (68%) due to increased insecurity in the South Zone;
• Two aerial surveys were conducted in 2016, which noted the distribution of illegal gold extraction sites and deforestation;
• Sensitization efforts were undertaken of traditional authorities and public administration to facilitate their active participation in the peaceful evacuation of artisanal gold miners;
• Barriers have been introduced on the RN4 to close off road traffic at night;
• The Management Plan has not yet been finalized due to limited resource availability;
• Introduction of integral conservation zones was agreed between ICCN and stakeholders, including the public administration and local communities, for which validation is expected to take place in 2017;
• Zoning of the property has led to the delimitation of 32 agricultural areas, 29 hunting areas and 5 integral conservation zones;
• Sustainable natural resource management efforts for the forests adjacent to the property have focused on sensitization meetings with traditional leaders, resulting in the signing of a protocol between the management authority and the local committee;
• Representatives of FARDC, police, public administration and traditional leaders have agreed to hold monthly meetings on local security issues;
• The first Site Coordination Committee (CoCoSi) meeting, attended by traditional leaders, Governance Councils, and Conservation and Development Council was held in November 2016 to establish a Local Development Plan.

The State Party also listed planned activities for 2017, which include a gradual recruitment of 200 new guards, open two guard posts in the eastern part of the property to increase staff presence, and develop a Conflict Transformation Strategy.

General Decision on the properties of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)

• Current conservation issues

On 13 February 2017, the State Party submitted a report on the progress made in the implementation of Decision 40 COM 7A.42. This report is available at the following address https://whc.unesco.org/en/sessions/41com/documents/#state_of_conservation_reports and contains the information below:

• The Corps responsible for the security of the National Parks (CorPPN) and related natural reserves, created in June 2015, is not operational due to lack of human and financial resources. Nevertheless, in 2016, the State Party made available to the Congolese Institute for Nature Conservation (ICCN) arms and ammunitions that has benefitted the National Parks of Garamba and Virunga ;
• No activity linked to petroleum was observed, in 2016, at the Virunga National Park. However, the State Party notes that it wishes to officially request an IUCN advisory mission to discuss the petroleum issue at the property;
• The support programme of the 11th European Development Fund (EDF) of the European Union continues to provide financial and technical support to the National Parks of Virunga, Garamba and Salonga. Through the German Development Bank (KfW - Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau), Germany supports the Okapi Wildlife Reserve, and the National Parks of Salonga and Kahuzi-Biega ;
• The Trust Fund « Okapi Fund for Conservation - FOCON » for a sustainable funding of the protected areas of the DRC now has the status of a charitable organization and an Administrative Council. The World Bank and the KfW have funded the FOCON to the amount of 30 million US dollars. Nevertheless, the report underlines that the decree for the establishment of the FOCON Headquarters in the DRC has not yet been signed by the national authorities. Without the decree, this Fund cannot be operational

The continued insecurity in the region and the on-going presence of armed rebel groups, who are preventing the patrol teams from gaining full access to the property, and the reported resultant decrease in surveillance coverage compared to 2015, are of significant concern as they complicate the protection of the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the property. However, the surveillance coverage reported for 2015 (68%) is inconsistent with the figure reported to the 40th session of the Committee (37%). Noting that this is the second consecutive year in which inconsistencies have been noted, future State Party reports should ensure accuracy in the data presented or provide clarifications on any changes.

Although the Committee had requested the State Party to recruit additional guards for patrolling, this appears not to have been achieved and as a result, there continues to be a shortage of guards to ensure sufficient coverage of the property. Expanding patrol coverage to halt poaching is critical but the security situation firstly needs to be improved. Adequate provision of financial and material resources is required to regain control of the site. In that regard, the initiation of joint operations between ICCN and FARDC using SMART technology is welcomed.

The State Party recalls the closure of large mines in 2015, and the undertaking of sensitization efforts to address the issue of artisanal mining in 2016. However, it still remains unclear if any further mining permits remain that encroach on the property. Any overlapping permits need to be cancelled and illegal occupants evacuated as a matter of urgency. According to third party information, it has been reported that the majority of gold and diamond mines inside the property have been reoccupied and have resumed operation, and additional new mines have been opened. The World Heritage Centre has requested comments from the State Party in this regard but no comments were received at the time of drafting this report.

The closure of RN4 at night is a welcome progress to reduce traffic within the property, but road use needs to be monitored to ensure compliance and effectiveness. In line with the corrective measures, other mechanisms to further limit road use need to be implemented, such as setting up a toll system. The State Party does not however provide any updates on the increasing number of inhabitants around the villages in pursuit of artisanal mining, and the measures taken to address this. Third party information has indicated significant expansions for example in the village of Badengaido.. As requested by the Committee (40 COM 7A.39), the impacts of the significant increase in inhabitants in the villages along RN4 on the land use around the villages need to be evaluated, but no update is provided in this regard. The World Heritage Centre has also requested comments from the State Party in this regard and no comments were received at the time of drafting this report.

The establishment of integral conservation zones in the property is appreciated but the extended delay in finalizing the Management Plan for the property is noted with concern. Progress is noted in improving communication between stakeholders on security issues and towards preparing a zoning plan for the forest areas adjacent to the property. 

No information was provided by the State Party with regards to the attainment of the indicators of the Desired state of conservation for removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR).

General Decision on the properties of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)

• Analysis and conclusions of the World Heritage Centre and the IUCN

The allocation of arms and ammunitions for the two properties, Garamba and Virunga National Parks, is an important effort on the part of the State Party; however, insecurity persists and is becoming more serious in the four properties located in the eastern part of the DRC. Technical and financial means must be made available to the ICCN to secure all the World Heritage properties and their surroundings.

The years 2016 and 2017 were dramatic for the ICCN staff and FARDC (Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo). Eleven guards lost their lives and many others were seriously injured during attacks carried out against the National Parks of Garamba (2 victims), Virunga (5 victims) and Kahuzi Biega (3 victims). A guard was also killed at the Okapi Wildlife Reserve in May 2017. It is recommended that the Committee condemn this violence and address its condolences to the families of the guards and the soldiers killed during operations for the protection of the properties.

The delay incurred in the deployment of the CorPPN contingent is unfortunate. It is recommended that the Committee reiterate its request to the State Party to provide human and financial means to the CorPPN to render it operational and that it also requests the State Party to do its utmost to implement, in conformity with the Kinshasa Declaration (January 2011), and restore security conditions to enable the ICCN staff to carry out their mission.

With regard to the issue of petroleum exploration and exploitation projects, the State Party notes that no petroleum activity has been observed in the Virunga National Park. No information has been provided as concerns the petroleum interests at the Salonga National Park, expressed by the State Party during the 2012 Reactive Monitoring mission (see point 10 of Document WHC/17/41.COM/7A). It is recommended that the Committee reiterate its request to the State Party to officially confirm the definite cancellation of the petroleum concession overlapping the Virunga National Park and to clarify the situation as regards its petroleum interest in the Salonga National Park.

The efforts of the State Party to mobilize major funding for the DRC properties are favourably welcomed. Important progress has been achieved in organizing the Trust Fund for the Protected Areas of the DRC. Nevertheless, it is recommended that the Committee request the State Party to take legal measures by adopting the necessary decree to render operational the FOCON Fund; these provisions will enable the properties of the DRC to benefit from substantial financial resources.