Talamanca Range-La Amistad Reserves / La Amistad National Park

• Water infrastructure - Construction of hydroelectric dams near the property in Panama and associated effects (greater human presence near the property, interruption of aquatic species migratory corridor) - Approval of a new hydropower project (Changuinola II or CHAN 140) without prior finalization of the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) for the entire property
• Lack of a long-term biological monitoring program to implement mitigation measures that minimize the negative impacts on the property caused by hydroelectric projects
• Land conversion (Encroachment) and Livestock farming / grazing of domesticated animals (settlements, cattle ranching)
• Planned road construction, which would traverse the property on the side of Panama (issue resolved)
• Illegal activities
• Management systems / management plan

Total amount granted: USD 30 000 from the Rapid Response Facility

On 1 December 2020, the States Parties submitted a joint state of conservation report, which is available at https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/205/documents/ and report the following progress:

• The States Parties have continued to combat illegal activities within the property through extensive patrolling, including binational patrols in the Caribbean and Pacific sectors with park rangers of both countries. However, the 2020 binational patrols were suspended due the to COVID-19 pandemic;
• Awareness raising activities have been organized with the community and civil society, aiming to address threats. Moreover, the States Parties report support from NGOs to strengthen conservation of the property;
• Despite delays, the update of the management plan of La Amistad International Park in Panama is ongoing. Consultants have now been identified and the document is expected by mid-2021. The Costa Rican La Amistad International Park General Management Plan (GMP) was updated in 2019,and approved by the relevant authorities in 2020. The GMPs for the remaining Costa Rican National Parks which comprise the property remain valid and the development of a GMP for Las Tablas Protective Zone is in an advanced phase;
• The re-activation of the Changuinola II (CHAN II) dam project is not currently being considered. The State Party of Panama acknowledges that the project is included in the national planning developed in the 1970s, prior to inscription of the property, but recognizes its commitments under the Convention and confirms that prior consultations with the World Heritage Centre would be undertaken should the project be re-considered;
• While the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) for the Panamanian side of the property has been completed and approved, the process is not yet completed in Costa Rica. The document is due for completion by the end of 2021, including the harmonization process with the SEA prepared in Panama;
• Ecological monitoring activities related to the Hidroecológica del Teribe SA (Bonyic) and AES Changuinola (CHAN I) dams, located in Palo Seco Protected Forest in Panama were reported quarterly throughout 2019-2020. Activities included monitoring of aquatic and terrestrial fauna in the watercourse and surrounding ecosystem under administration and/or under use of the respective hydropower plants. Further monitoring under the annual operating plans of the respective projects has been committed under concession contracts with the Hidroecológica del Teribe SA (Bonyic), and funding from Water, Protected Areas and Wildlife Fund for monitoring activities for CHAN I dam.

The States Parties’ continued efforts to combat illegal activities within the property, in particular through bilateral cooperation, are welcomed. The measures achieved to date in the formulation of the respective management plans for the La Amistad International Park area of the property are noted. The State Party of Panama should be encouraged to ensure the Management Plan is delivered by mid-2021, as planned, to ensure protection is consistent across the transboundary area of the property.

It is also to be welcomed that the project for the Changuinola II dam (CHAN II) has not been re-activated to date. Recalling the Committee’s position that any development of new hydropower projects prior to the finalization and adequate review of the SEA for the entire property would represent a danger to the property’s OUV in line with Paragraph 180 of the Operational Guidelines, the State Party’s reaffirmed commitment to its obligations under the Convention and its confirmation that, should re-activation of the project be considered again, prior consultations with the World Heritage Centre would be undertaken, are noted.

It remains of concern that the SEA for the entire property was not finalized by 2019, as was requested by the Committee and it is recommended that the Committee reiterate its request the States Parties to finalize the overall SEA for the entire property, for submission at the earliest possible date and no later than 1 February 2022.

It is recommended that the Committee also reiterate its position, in line with its Decision 40 COM 7 (Paragraph 17), that any development of new hydropower projects prior to the finalization and adequate review of the SEA for the entire property would represent a danger to the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the property, in line with Paragraph 180 of the Operational Guidelines leading to potential inscription on the List of World Heritage in Danger.

The monitoring activities undertaken through concession contracts for Hidroecológica del Teribe S.A. (Bonyic) and AES Changuinola (CHAN I) are noted. It is recommended that the Committee request that the State Party of Panama maintain these efforts, including through sustainable funding, to establish long-term monitoring programmes for the two projects and use the findings to design appropriate mitigation measures to ensure the OUV of the property is not negatively impacted, and furthermore consider the monitoring processes and findings in the overall SEA for the entire property.