Air and Ténéré Natural Reserves
Factors affecting the property in 2017*
- Civil unrest
- Erosion and siltation/ deposition
- Forestry /wood production
- Human resources
- Identity, social cohesion, changes in local population and community
- Illegal activities
- Livestock farming / grazing of domesticated animals
- Management activities
- Management systems/ management plan
Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports
- Political instability and civil strife
- Poverty
- Management constraints (lack of human and logistical means)
- Ostrich poaching
- Soil erosion
- Demographic pressure
- Livestock pressure
- Pressure on forestry resources
- Gold panning
- Illegal activities (increase in poaching threats and timber harvesting)
Threats for which the property was inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger
The region having recently suffered from military conflict and civil disturbance, the Government of Niger requested the Director-General of UNESCO to launch an appeal for the protection of the site
Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger
In progress
Corrective Measures for the property
Adopted, see page https://whc.unesco.org/en/decisions/325
Timeframe for the implementation of the corrective measures
In progress
International Assistance: requests for the property until 2017
Total amount approved : 172,322 USD
| 2013 | Mission d'évaluation de la réserve naturelle nationale ... (Approved) | 29,872 USD |
| 2002 | Confection des plaques de commémoration de 2 sites ... (Approved) | 450 USD |
| 2000 | Préparation d’un dossier d'inscription du site de l’Aïr ... (Approved) | 15,000 USD |
| 1999 | Financial support for the implementation of the ... (Approved) | 75,000 USD |
| 1999 |
Action plan for the implementation of Urgent ...
(Approved)
Reapproval: 04 Sep, 2000 (n°1320 - 12,000 USD)
|
12,000 USD |
| 1999 |
Action plan for the implementation of Urgent ...
(Approved)
Reapproval: 01 Mar, 2001 (n°1341 - 20,000 USD)
|
20,000 USD |
| 1999 | National Sensitising Seminar for the Personnel Charged ... (Approved) | 20,000 USD |
Missions to the property until 2017**
May 2005 and February 2015: IUCN Reactive Monitoring missions
Conservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 2017
On 31 January 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/573/documents/. Updates on its activities and on-going threats are provided as follows:
- A nine month ecological monitoring project using camera traps has been initiated, starting with sensitization of local communities;
- In 2016 the results of an ecological monitoring survey estimated an overall kilometric abundance index (KAI) of 0.114 individuals across seven species (dorcas gazelle, dama gazelle, Barbary sheep, patas monkey, golden jackal, rock hyrax and striped golden squirrel), and vegetation density of 34.83 feet per hectare;
- Contracts have been signed between the Management Unit and two local communities to undertake joint monitoring activities for six months around Mount Takoulkouzat;
- The third phase of the Co-Management of Natural Resources in Aïr and Ténéré Natural Reserves (COGERAT) and the second phase of the Niger Fauna Corridors Project (NFCR) are underway;
- The increasing pressure of poaching is leading to the movement of wildlife from the property to other protected areas through natural wildlife corridors, which will need to be captured in the second phase of the NFCR;
- Surveillance efforts in the reporting period covered 2,000 km but the property continues to face threats from poaching, illegal logging, invasive species (Prosopis juliflora), soil degradation, unregulated land use and human-wildlife conflict;
- A training workshop on Management Effectiveness Tracking Tool (METT) and Enhancing Our Heritage (EoH) was provided to park managers and staff in a move towards halting and reversing the biodiversity degradation trend;
- There is inadequate support for the captive breeding of North African red-necked ostrich.
Analysis and Conclusion by World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies in 2017
The State Party did not adequately address all of the Committee’s requests (Decision 40 COM 7A.45) in its report and hence, no updates are available on: (i) the State Party’s progress in recruiting forestry agents and ensuring adequate funding of the Management Unit; (ii) detailed information and data on poaching and timber harvesting along the perimeter of the property; (iii) the current situation of gold mining in Agadez; and (iv) development of the necessary studies with a view to preparing a Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR).
Information is provided however on the State Party’s activities in implementing some of the corrective measures. In particular, the State Party’s efforts to improve surveillance and ecological monitoring within the property through local community engagement are appreciated. Nevertheless, it is not clear whether a Surveillance Plan to strategically implement actions has been developed, in particular to focus on the protection of flagship species, as noted in the corrective measures. Recalling that the January 2016 application of the EoH toolkit identified that the property does not have a Management Plan, it is recommended that the Committee request the State Party to provide clarifications on the current status of the development of a Surveillance Plan.
It is of great concern that the property continues to face a number of threats, including poaching which has not yet been brought under control, the continued illegal harvesting of timber and the spread of the invasive plant Prosopis juliflora. The IUCN Global Invasive Species Database provides information on the management of the latter, which the State Party may wish to refer to in designing an eradication plan.
The overall KAI for seven observed species is noted, but in order to monitor trends of individual species, the collated data have limited use. It is recommended that the Committee request the State Party to record data for each key species that contribute towards the Statement of Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) and submit the data to the World Heritage Centre. This should include data on addax antelope, for which there is currently unconfirmed information on their presence within the property.
The North African red-necked ostrich population has declined significantly in Niger in recent years, with captive breeding programmes becoming critical for its recovery. It is therefore of significant concern that the State Party has reported an inadequate support for the programme. In order to ensure the success of a long-term reintroduction plan, it appears necessary to assess the genetic viability of the remaining population, and collaborate with other States Parties to expand the genetic stock under an international or regional action plan for the species. It is recommended that the Committee encourage the State Party to seek the support of the IUCN Species Survival Commission Conservation Breeding Specialist Group.
Further information is required on the camera trap survey, such as the expected aim of the study and how it will feed into the implementation of the corrective measures.
Summary of the interventions
Decisions adopted by the Committee in 2017
41 COM 7A.15
Aïr and Ténéré Natural Reserves (Niger) (N 573)
The World Heritage Committee,
- Having examined Document WHC/17/41.COM/7A,
- Recalling Decision 40 COM 7A.45, adopted at its 40th session (Istanbul/UNESCO, 2016),
- Regrets that the report on the state of conservation of the property submitted by the State Party did not adequately address the Committee’s requests;
- Reiterates its request to the State Party to accelerate the recruitment of forestry agents, and ensure adequate funding of the Management Unit to better control the exploitation of the natural resources within the property;
- Also reiterates its request to the State Party to provide detailed information and data on poaching and timber harvesting within the property and its vicinity, as well as the actions taken to combat these threats;
- Appreciates the State Party’s efforts to improve surveillance and ecological monitoring within the property through local community engagement, but urges the State Party to develop a Surveillance Plan and a Management Plan for the property as a matter of priority, and submit copies of both to the World Heritage Centre, for review by IUCN;
- Notes with concern the spread of the invasive plant species, Prosopis juliflora, across the property, and requests the State Party, in consultation with IUCN’s Species Survival Commission Invasive Species Specialist Group, to design and implement an eradication plan for the species;
- Also requests the State Party to monitor the trend of the key species that contribute to the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the property and submit to the World Heritage Centre the results for each species in order to demonstrate their trends;
- Noting with concern that there is inadequate support for the captive breeding of North African red-necked ostrich, further requests the State Party to secure necessary funding for the effective operation of the captive breeding centres and closely collaborate with other neighbouring States Parties to develop and implement a regional action plan for the conservation of this species, and encourages the State Party to seek the support of the IUCN Species Survival Commission Conservation Breeding Specialist Group;
- Requests furthermore the State Party to provide details of the camera trap survey including how it will contribute towards improving the monitoring and surveillance of the property, and submit its findings to the World Heritage Centre for review by IUCN once they are available;
- Requests moreover the State Party to provide an update on the current status of gold mining in the region of Agadez as well as any other areas outside of the property that has the potential to impact on the OUV of the property;
- Further reiterates its request to the State Party to implement all of the recommendations of the 2015 IUCN reactive monitoring mission as well as an action plan on the corrective measures defined in consultation with the State Party during the mission;
- Urgently reiterates its requests to the State Party to carry out the necessary studies with a view to preparing a Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR) and to submit the draft DSOCR to the World Heritage Centre by 1 February 2018, for examination by the Committee at its 42nd session in 2018;
- Finally requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2018, an updated report on the state of conservation of the property and the implementation of the corrective measures and the above points, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 42nd session in 2018;
- Decides to retain Aïr and Ténéré Natural Reserves (Niger) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
41 COM 8C.2
Update of the List of World Heritage in Danger (Retained Properties)
The World Heritage Committee,
- Having examined the state of conservation reports of properties inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger (WHC/17/41.COM/7A, WHC/17/41.COM/7A.Add and WHC/17/41.COM/7A.Add.2),
- Decides to retain the following properties on the List of World Heritage in Danger:
- Afghanistan, Cultural Landscape and Archaeological Remains of the Bamiyan Valley (Decision 41 COM 7A.54)
- Afghanistan, Minaret and Archaeological Remains of Jam (Decision 41 COM 7A.55)
- Belize, Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System (Decision 41 COM 7A.2)
- Bolivia (Plurinational State of), City of Potosí (Decision 41 COM 7A.23)
- Central African Republic, Manovo-Gounda St Floris National Park (Decision 41 COM 7A.4)
- Chile, Humberstone and Santa Laura Saltpeter Works (Decision 41 COM 7A.24)
- Côte d'Ivoire / Guinea, Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve (Decision 41 COM 7A.6)
- Democratic Republic of the Congo, Garamba National Park (Decision 41 COM 7A.7)
- Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kahuzi-Biega National Park (Decision 41 COM 7A.8)
- Democratic Republic of the Congo, Okapi Wildlife Reserve (Decision 41 COM 7A.9)
- Democratic Republic of the Congo, Salonga National Park (Decision 41 COM 7A.10)
- Democratic Republic of the Congo, Virunga National Park (Decision 41 COM 7A.11)
- Egypt, Abu Mena (Decision 41 COM 7A.32)
- Honduras, Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve (Decision 41 COM 7A.3)
- Indonesia, Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra (Decision 41 COM 7A.18)
- Iraq, Ashur (Qal'at Sherqat) (Decision 41 COM 7A.33)
- Iraq, Hatra (Decision 41 COM 7A.34)
- Iraq, Samarra Archaeological City (Decision 41 COM 7A.35)
- Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls (site proposed by Jordan) (Decision 41 COM 7A.36)
- Libya, Archaeological Site of Cyrene (Decision 41 COM 7A.37)
- Libya, Archaeological Site of Leptis Magna (Decision 41 COM 7A.38)
- Libya, Archaeological Site of Sabratha (Decision 41 COM 7A.39)
- Libya, Old Town of Ghadamès (Decision 41 COM 7A.40)
- Libya, Rock-Art Sites of Tadrart Acacus (Decision 41 COM 7A.41)
- Madagascar, Rainforests of the Atsinanana (Decision 41 COM 7A.14)
- Mali, Old Towns of Djenné (Decision 41 COM 7A.28)
- Mali, Timbuktu (Decision 41 COM 7A.29)
- Mali, Tomb of Askia (Decision 41 COM 7A.30)
- Micronesia (Federated States of), Nan Madol: Ceremonial Centre of Eastern Micronesia (Decision 41 COM 7A.56)
- Niger, Aïr and Ténéré Natural Reserves (Decision 41 COM 7A.15)
- Palestine, Birthplace of Jesus: Church of the Nativity and the Pilgrimage Route, Bethlehem (Decision 41 COM 7A.42)
- Palestine, Palestine: Land of Olives and Vines – Cultural Landscape of Southern Jerusalem, Battir (Decision 41 COM 7A.43)
- Panama, Fortifications on the Caribbean Side of Panama: Portobelo-San Lorenzo (Decision 41 COM 7A.25)
- Peru, Chan Chan Archaelogical Zone (Decision 41 COM 7A.26)
- Senegal, Niokolo-Koba National Park (Decision 41 COM 7A.16)
- Serbia, Medieval Monuments in Kosovo (Decision 41 COM 7A.21)
- Solomon Islands, East Rennell (Decision 41 COM 7A.19)
- Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient City of Aleppo (Decision 41 COM 7A.44)
- Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient City of Bosra (Decision 41 COM 7A.45)
- Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient City of Damascus (Decision 41 COM 7A.46)
- Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient Villages of Northern Syria (Decision 41 COM 7A.47)
- Syrian Arab Republic, Crac des Chevaliers and Qal’at Salah El-Din (Decision 41 COM 7A.48)
- Syrian Arab Republic, Site of Palmyra (Decision 41 COM 7A.49)
- Uganda, Tombs of Buganda Kings at Kasubi (Decision 41 COM 7A.31)
- United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Liverpool – Maritime Mercantile City (Decision 41 COM 7A.22)
- United Republic of Tanzania, Selous Game Reserve (Decision 41 COM 7A.17)
- United States of America, Everglades National Park (Decision 41 COM 7A.1)
- Uzbekistan, Historic Centre of Shakhrisyabz (Decision 41 COM 7A.57)
- Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of), Coro and its Port (Decision 41 COM 7A.27)
- Yemen, Historic Town of Zabid (Decision 41 COM 7A.51)
- Yemen, Old City of Sana’a (Decision 41 COM 7A.52)
- Yemen, Old Walled City of Shibam (Decision 41 COM 7A.53)
Draft Decision: 41 COM 7A.15
The World Heritage Committee,
- Having examined Document WHC/17/41.COM/7A,
- Recalling Decision 40 COM 7A.45, adopted at its 40th session (Istanbul/UNESCO, 2016),
- Regrets that the report on the state of conservation of the property submitted by the State Party did not adequately address the Committee’s requests;
- Reiterates its request to the State Party to accelerate the recruitment of forestry agents, and ensure adequate funding of the Management Unit to better control the exploitation of the natural resources within the property;
- Also reiterates its request to the State Party to provide detailed information and data on poaching and timber harvesting within the property and its vicinity, as well as the actions taken to combat these threats;
- Appreciates the State Party’s efforts to improve surveillance and ecological monitoring within the property through local community engagement, but urges the State Party to develop a Surveillance Plan and a Management Plan for the property as a matter of priority, and submit copies of both to the World Heritage Centre, for review by IUCN;
- Notes with concern the spread of the invasive plant species, Prosopis juliflora, across the property, and requests the State Party, in consultation with IUCN’s Species Survival Commission Invasive Species Specialist Group, to design and implement an eradication plan for the species;
- Also requests the State Party to monitor the trend of the key species that contribute to the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the property and submit to the World Heritage Centre the results for each species in order to demonstrate their trends;
- Noting with concern that there is inadequate support for the captive breeding of North African red-necked ostrich, further requests the State Party to secure necessary funding for the effective operation of the captive breeding centres and closely collaborate with other neighbouring States Parties to develop and implement a regional action plan for the conservation of this species, and encourages the State Party to seek the support of the IUCN Species Survival Commission Conservation Breeding Specialist Group;
- Requests furthermore the State Party to provide details of the camera trap survey including how it will contribute towards improving the monitoring and surveillance of the property, and submit its findings to the World Heritage Centre for review by IUCN once they are available;
- Requests moreover the State Party to provide an update on the current status of gold mining in the region of Agadez as well as any other areas outside of the property that has the potential to impact on the OUV of the property;
- Further reiterates its request to the State Party to implement all of the recommendations of the 2015 IUCN reactive monitoring mission as well as an action plan on the corrective measures defined in consultation with the State Party during the mission;
- Urgently reiterates its requests to the State Party to carry out the necessary studies with a view to preparing a Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR) and to submit the draft DSOCR to the World Heritage Centre by 1 February 2018, for examination by the Committee at its 42nd session in 2018;
- Finally requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2018, an updated report on the state of conservation of the property and the implementation of the corrective measures and the above points, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 42nd session in 2018;
- Decides to retain Aïr and Ténéré Natural Reserves (Niger) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
Niger
Documents examined by the Committee
41COM (2017)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.
