State of Conservation (SOC)

Requests Approved: 0 (from1997-1997)
Total Amount Ap proved: 75,000USD

IUCN missions in 1992 and 2002.

Insurgency related threats resulting in destruction to park infrastructure and depletion of forest habitat and wildlife populations.

As requested by the Committee at its 28th session (Suzhou, 2004), an IUCN/WHC mission visited the property in April 2005. A detailed report will be available for consideration by the World Heritage Committee at its 29th session.

 The mission noted:

a) that on ground conservation action has commenced after the signing of an agreement between the Bodo people and the Government of India and the formation of the Bodoland Territorial Council. Specifically, action has recently commenced in rebuilding guard posts and infrastructure in the park. The mission inspected an ecotourism initiative being developed by the Bodo villagers of Kokilabari on the eastern fringe of the Manas World Heritage property, in co-operation with the Silguri based Help Tourism and Ashoka Holidays. This is a very positive initiative that aims to involve villagers in park management and specifically the control of poaching, but requires close coordination with and supervision by the park authorities. It is noted that nearly 150 poachers surrendered their gaziman (handmade guns) recently to take up forest conservation and tourism activities;

b) the insurgency appears to have had significant impacts on the forests and the wildlife populations of the park, particularly rhino, tiger and swamp deer populations. However this will need to be verified through a comprehensive baseline survey;

c) the level of control of the park is significantly less in the western part of the park (Panbari Range) and impacts from the removal of timber were noted;

d) that concerns still exist regarding the timely release of funds from the Assam State Government, although it is anticipated that this will be addressed by a recent ruling by the Supreme Court of India that funding must be released by the State Government within 15 days of its receipt from the Central Government.

The mission underscored the need for the State Party to initiate a dialogue with the Royal Government of Bhutan to progress the possibility of a transboundary World Heritage property, especially as Bhutan has ratified the Convention in 2001. It was noted that the approval of the UNF supported World Heritage Biodiversity Programme for India (WHBPI) was in its final stages which would contribute to enhancing the conservation status of the property, as several recommendations of the Committee have been taken into account in the preparation of this programme.

The mission also established a number of recommendations to accelerate the recovery of the property, of which the most crucial are detailed in the draft decision and which can be used as benchmarks to measure progress for eventual consideration for removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger.