Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex

Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2005 based on criterion (x) due to its biodiversity richness and its role in conserving a number of globally threatened and endangered species. The IUCN evaluation noted the risk to the integrity of the property associated with ecological fragmentation and in particular the problem associated with road 304 that separates Khao Yai National Park and Thap Lan National Park. This road limits the effectiveness of this forest complex for ecosystem conservation and wildlife protection. When inscribing this property on the World Heritage List at its 29th session (Durban, 2005), the Committee requested the State Party to carry out a design study for the construction of ecological effective wildlife corridors to better link the different sectors of this forest complex. The Committee also recommended a number of actions to enhance the integrity of the property.

In response to a letter from the World Heritage Centre, the State Party submitted a report on State of Conservation of the property on 30 January 2007. The report provides information on progress made in implementing the recommendations of the Committee to enhance the integrity of the property, including detailed information on:

a) The preliminary study of Khao Yai-Thap Lan National Parks Ecological Corridor Project;

b) The Khao Yai-Thap Lan National Parks Complex Biodiversity Corridor Project;

c) The Management Plan for Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex, and;

d) The Plan on Public Cooperation in the conservation of Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex.

The State Party reported that a preliminary Study of Khoa Yai-Lan National Parks Ecological Corridor Project was completed. The report also includes reference to some key management actions which have been developed to address the different conservation issues raised in the 2005 IUCN evaluation report. Of special importance is the elaboration and adoption, in November 2006, of a Management Plan for Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex (DPKY-FC) and the recruitment of a manager for the whole complex. It is also noted that the proposed projects on ecological corridors will be supported through the implementation of a larger Asian Development Bank (ADB) initiative to establish nine transboundary forest complexes in the Greater Mekong Subregion which encompasses DPKY-FC. The Corridor Feasibility Study for the property, to be implemented as part of this initiative, is expected to be completed by end of 2007.

The State Party has not provided detailed information on the resources available to ensure long term management across the complex.

Moreover, IUCN has received information on the plan to widen Road 304 from a two lane highway to a four lane highway, further fragmenting DPKY-FC. This will create additional and significant integrity problems to the ecosystems and species of this property. At present, the Division of National Parks of Thailand is planning to conduct a feasibility study on this proposed development project in order to find alternative options for maintaining wildlife corridors within this forest complex.