World Heritage	26 COM	

Distribution limited	
WHC-02/CONF.202/18
Paris, 5 December 2002
Original : English/French	

UNITED NATIONS EDUCATIONAL, SCIENTIFIC AND CULTURAL
ORGANIZATION

CONVENTION CONCERNING THE PROTECTION OF THE WORLD
CULTURAL AND NATURAL HERITAGE

30th Anniversary
(1972-2002)

WORLD HERITAGE COMMITTEE

Twenty-sixth session

Budapest, Hungary
24 - 29 June 2002

Item 21 of the Agenda: State of conservation of properties inscribed on List of World Heritage in
Danger and on the World Heritage List

	Reports on the State of conservation of properties inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger 

SUMMARY

In accordance with paragraphs 92-93 of the Operational Guidelines, the Secretariat and advisory bodies submit herewith reports on the state of conservation of properties inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger.

Where appropriate, the Centre or the Advisory Bodies will provide additional information during the session of the Committee.

Decision required: The Committee is requested to examine the following state of conservation reports and take the appropriate decisions and recommend actions for implementation by the States Parties, Advisory Bodies and the Centre. 

1. 	Information on the state of conservation of eighteen natural and eight cultural properties inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger is submitted to the Committee to facilitate the 'review at regular intervals [of] the state of property on the List of World Heritage in Danger' as foreseen in paragraph 92 of the Operational Guidelines.

2.	At its 25th session held from 11 to 16 December 2001 at Helsinki, Finland, the Committee examined the state of conservation of the nineteen natural and five cultural properties reported herein. The Committee's decisions and recommendations with regard to each site were transmitted by the Centre to the concerned States Parties. 

3.	Responses from States Parties and new information that has become available on the state of conservation of the properties since the conclusion of the 25th session of the Committee on 16 December 2001 are submitted for review by the Committee. Of the eighteen natural properties declared as World Heritage in Danger by the Committee at its 25th session, no new information has been received with regard to the following properties: Manovo-Gounda St. Floris National Park (Central African Republic); Sangay National Park (Ecuador); Simen National Park (Ethiopia); Rio Platano Biosphere Reserve (Honduras); Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary (Senegal) and the Rwenzori Mountains National Park (Uganda). Amongst cultural heritage properties, a proposed mission to Abu Mena, scheduled for March 2002, had to be postponed due to unforeseen circumstances. The Centre and IUCN are continuing their efforts, in co-operation with relevant authorities in the respective States Parties and other partners to compile comprehensive reports on these properties for the 27th session of the Committee in June 2003. The Committee is requested to examine the reports of 12 other natural properties provided herein and take appropriate decisions and recommend actions in accordance with paragraph 93 of the Operational Guidelines, which reads as follows:

	"On the basis of these regular reviews, the Committee shall decide, in consultation with the State Party concerned whether:
	(i)	additional measures are required to conserve the property;
	(ii)		to delete the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger if the property is no longer under threat;
	(iii)	to consider the deletion of the property from both the List of World Heritage in Danger and the World Heritage List if the property has deteriorated to the extent that it has lost those characteristics which determined its inclusion in the World Heritage List, in accordance with the procedure set out in paragraphs 46 to 56 above."

4.	To facilitate the work of the Bureau, a standard format has been used for all state of conservation reports as follows:
•	Name of property (State Party);
•	Years of inscription on the World Heritage List and on the List of World Heritage in Danger, respectively;
•	Inscription criteria
•	International assistance provided to the property to date;
•	Previous deliberations. Reference is made to relevant paragraph numbers from the reports of the 25th session of the Committee (11 – 16 December 2001, Helsinki, Finland) and the 25th session of the Bureau (25 – 30 June 2001; UNESCO, Paris, respectively. In order to minimize the number of pages of this document, texts from those two earlier reports have not been repeated herein;
•	Main issues/threats addressed in the report;
•	New information; and
•	Action required.

A.	Natural Heritage

Srebarna Nature Reserve (Bulgaria)
Inscribed on the World Heritage List: 1983 under criterion: N (iv) and on the List of World Heritage in Danger: 1992. 

International assistance: The site has received a total sum of US$ 22,000 for technical and training activities.

Previous deliberations:  

25th session of the Committee – Chapter VIII.6 – VIII.8
25th session of the Bureau – Chapter V.6 – V.7

Main issues:	Lake rehabilitation and assessment of rehabilitation success; management plan finalization and adoption; and transborder cooperation with other States Parties sharing the Danube River. 

New information: 	Following the findings of the mission to the site from 1 to 4 October 2001 presented to the 25th session of the Committee, the Committee invited the State Party to finalize the management plan and confirm its adoption by the Government and to submit a calendar of activities for preparing a proposal for a transborder World Heritage area in the Danube Delta in cooperation with other concerned States Parties to the Convention. The Committee decided to remove Srebarna from the List of World Heritage Danger, effective from the date at which the State Party submits to the Centre, IUCN and the Ramsar Convention Secretariat, a copy of the approved management plan for the site and a letter committing core resources for the timely and effective implementation of the plan.

By letter dated 14 December 2001 the Ministry of Environment and Water informed the Centre that the Action Plan for Srebarna Nature Reserve has been approved by order NP-958 of 11 December 2001.

In February 2002, during an UNESCO/IUCN mission to review the status of conservation of the Pirin National Park and another World Heritage site of Bulgaria, the situation of Srebarna was also updated. A toxic spill during high water conditions of the Danube was threatening Srebarna and the mission alerted the authorities to the urgent acquisition of a suitable portable electric generator to enable Park staff to rapidly close the sluice gates to protect the site from possible catastrophic contamination and rapid destruction of World Heritage values. The mission noted that at its last session, the Committee had already made a recommendation for urgent purchase of such equipment and invited the State Party to submit, if necessary, an international assistance request for consideration under the Fund.  In her letter dated 29 March 2002 the Minister of Environment and Water confirmed that she would be requesting the recommended assistance. So far no request has been received.

Action required: The Committee may wish to adopt the following decision:

"The Committee reiterates its request to invite the State Party to shortly finalize the management plan and confirm its adoption by the Government and to submit a calendar of activities for preparing a proposal for a transborder World Heritage area in the Danube Delta in cooperation with other concerned States Parties to the Convention. The Committee recommends that the site be removed from the List of World Heritage Danger, effective from the date at which the State Party submits to the Centre, IUCN and the Ramsar Convention Secretariat, a copy of the approved management plan for the site supported by a statement from the State Party committing the necessary resources for the timely implementation of the plan. The Committee furthermore encourages the State Party to take necessary action to purchase the portable electric generator to enable Park staff to rapidly close the sluice gates as and when needed in order to minimize the risks of contamination from future toxic spills”.

World Heritage sites of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)

Virunga National Park – Inscribed on the World Heritage List: 1979 under criteria N (ii), (iii) and (iv); and on the List of World Heritage in Danger: 1994. 

Garamba National Park - Inscribed on the World Heritage List: 1980  under criteria N (iii) and (iv); and on the List of World Heritage in Danger: 1996

Kahuzi-Biega National Park - Inscribed on the World Heritage List: 1980; and on the List of World Heritage in Danger: 1997, .under criterion: N (iv).

Okapi Wildlife Reserve - Inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1996; and on the List of World Heritage in Danger: 1997, under  criterion:	N (iv). .

Salonga National Park: Inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1984 under criteria N (ii) and (ii); and on the List of World Heritage in Danger: 1999.

International assistance:	Total amount of international assistance provided from the World Heritage Fund to each of the five sites are: Virunga National Park: US$ 64,000 for equipment, staff allowances and training; Garamba National Park US$ 157,845 for equipment and staff allowances; Kahuzi-Biega National Park: US$ 64,848 for equipment purchase; Okapi Wildlife Reserve:  US$ 23,000 for the preparation of the nomination dossier of the site, guard training and camp construction; and  Salonga National Park: US$ 85,500 for project planning, infrastructure and staff training.

Previous deliberations:

25th session of the Committee – Chapter – VIII.12 – VIII.28
25th session of the Bureau – Chapter V.12- V.27

Main issues:	Armed conflict and consequent rise in distribution of arms and ammunition leading to illegal occupation and hunting; threats to staff security and operations. Lack of basic financial and material support to staff to carry out day-to-day management operations. Natural disasters (volcanic eruptions).

New information: 	A proposed mission to the DRC and neighbouring Rwanda and Uganda, to be led by the Director General of UNESCO and tentatively scheduled for late March 2002 had to be postponed due to unforeseen circumstances. The Director-General’s Office has however reiterated its commitment to re-schedule this mission for early 2003 with a view to soliciting support of the Heads of State and high-level authorities in each of the three countries to respect their obligations under the Convention and strengthen the conservation of World Heritage sites, particularly those in eastern DRC. 

The inter-Congolese dialogue that commenced in February 2002 has concluded with relations between Kinshasa and the rebel authorities controlling most of the northeast DRC showing considerable improvement and hopefully benefiting the state of conservation of Garamba National Park and the Okapi Wildlife Reserve in the near term. The inter-Congolese dialogue however, failed to solve prevailing tensions and disagreements between the Kinshasa Government of DRC and the rebel regime based in Goma that controls territories in the east and southeast of DRC. Hence, the situation in Kahuzi Biega and Virunga National Parks, the two World Heritage sites most impacted by war and civil unrest in eastern DRC, is cause for continuing concern. The state of conservation of Salonga National Park, predominately under the direct authority of ICCN-Kinshasa also appears to be of concern because of the small number of staff who have to ensure the protection of the 36,000 square kilometre Park with difficult access conditions. Salonga is situated in an area that forms a frontier between areas controlled by the Kinshasa Government and the rebel regime based in Goma and hence has considerable presence of armed groups that also threaten its conservation status.

The UNESCO/DRC/UNF Project successfully organized a training workshop on biodiversity monitoring in Kinshasa from 19 to 23 March 2002 where representatives from all the five World Heritage sites of DRC and their NGO partners and other ICCN staff were present. The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and the Co-ordination Unit of the UNESCO/DRC/UNF project were jointly responsible for the organization of the training workshop. The participation of site and other ICCN staff from all parts of DRC was one of the examples of on-going inter-Congolese cooperation amongst civilians and professionals of DRC and their international partners to promote World Heritage conservation. A report of the workshop is expected to be ready before the end of 2002.

The implementation of the UNESCO/DRC/UNF Project activities in Kahuzi Biega was set back due to conflicts involving the decision, taken by the new ICCN authorities in Goma, to transfer the Director of the Park and replace him with another individual from the ICCN cadre. One of the UNESCO/DRC/UNF Project partners, GTZ (Germany), expressed dissatisfaction with the non-consultative manner in which the decision was taken and the impact this action could have on the continuity of project activities. The Project Co-ordination Unit and the Centre facilitated a meeting from 26 to 28 April 2002 in Nairobi, Kenya, between ICCN-Goma and its counterparts from ICCN Kinshasa and ICCN-Beni/Bunia; the meeting was moderated by a neutral expert and the Project Co-ordination Unit. Agreements have been reached to avoid the repetition of such conflicts in the future and the Centre is in the process of reviewing recommendations of the meeting and communicating them to the authorities of the GTZ Project and other partners to ensure their continuing support and collaboration for the conservation of the Kahuzi Biega National Park. 

On 17 January 2001, the 3,469 metre Nyirangongo Volcano in Virunga National Park erupted from a fissure on its side. The Nyirangongo, along with the active Nyamulagira volcano, forms the western end of the Virunga Massif chain of eight volcanoes and is located at the southeastern most point of the World Heritage site. Three lava flows spread to the town of Goma 12 miles south, destroying an estimated 40% of the town as well as at least 14 villages on the way, and flowed into Lake Kivu. At least 40 persons died as a direct result of the eruption, however another 50 were killed in a gas station explosion several days later, caused by the ignition of tanks from the hot lava. As many as 500,000 people fled the area into neighbouring Rwanda, but returned within days. 

A resource centre for gorilla conservation located in Goma was destroyed and staff and wildlife rangers made homeless. It was reported that the gorillas of the Park had suffered no direct impact from the eruptions, as a wide valley separates Nyiragongo from the nearest group of gorillas on the upper slopes of Mt Mikeno, but it was predicted that chimpanzees and other wildlife in the forest around Nyiragongo would be devastated, and the eruption would affect every level of the mountain’s ecosystem. A report from the Coordinator of the UNESCO/DRC/UNF Project noted that there was potential for noxious gas problems and that the Park post at Kibati was destroyed. 

In April 2002 IUCN was informed by the Park that the re-definition of the Park’s boundaries had commenced, involving a process of collaboration with political and community leaders.  A mission to Virunga National Park was undertaken on 22 March 2002, involving representatives of the environmental service; officers of the provincial government and land administration; officers of the PEVI Kacheche (Programme d’Education Virunga); police; the Provincial Director of ICCN, as well as active and retired Park guards. The objective of the mission was to clarify and clearly demarcate the boundaries of the Park in the areas invaded particularly by crop growing. Certain parts of the Park have been particularly affected by crop growing, deforestation, the construction of housing and the influx of Ugandan and Rwandan immigrants with their cattle. These problems have arisen from the high population density surrounding the Park, widespread poverty and unemployment, the current socio-political context, the lack of logistical equipment and the lack of law enforcement with regard to illegal encroachments. The northern sector of the Park has not had the benefit of international projects other than those supported by DFGF/Europe for work on gorillas, and the area has suffered from environmental degradation. The province of North Kivu in the north of the Park could not be accessed during the mission due to the security situation and Park staff are unable to monitor the west bank of Lake Edouard. A new director in the Beni sector has been appointed and work has commenced to mark the boundaries despite certain opposition groups. The Provincial government in this area is also more responsive to the problems of the Park than in the Goma area. 

The mission had some success, particularly in showing, by way of involving other authorities, that the protection of the Park’s resources is not only the concern of ICCN but of all Congolese people. Since the mission, there appears to be some reduction in encroachments and associated impacts. However, there remains a negative attitude amongst the population and strong opposition to the Park authorities. The mission report recommends that ICCN should reinforce its means of communication with the local population while severely penalizing violators of Park laws; guards should be provided with means of communication and equipment to facilitate greater ease of movement around the Park, and an official report should be sent to the highest authorities urging the removal of Ugandan and Rwandan immigrants from the Park, particularly from Kiolirwe (south) and Karuruma (north). 

The need for community support activities benefiting conservation of the World Heritage sites has been widely recognized and has been the focus of the UNESCO/Belgium Government Project whose implementation began in late 2001. The first workshop under this project, to define and develop specific activities in and around each of the five sites was planned for February 2002 in Beni but had to be postponed following the disruptions caused to normal life in and around Virunga after the volcanic eruptions in January 2002. This workshop will now be convened from 25 to 30 July 2002 and will facilitate improving staff-community relations in and around World Heritage sites of the DRC, including Virunga National Park.

Action required: 	The Committee may wish to adopt the following:

"The Committee notes with regret the widespread damage caused by the volcanic eruption, particularly to the people of Goma, and requests the Centre to transmit its sympathies and solidarity to the people of Goma through appropriate UN authorities resident in Goma. The presence of active volcanoes is part of the outstanding universal values of the World Heritage site and eruptions are likely to occur again. The Centre and IUCN may consult with the UN authorities in DRC and appropriate partners to put in place natural disaster prevention and risk assessment systems in order to minimize damage to property and lives during future eruptions. The Committee welcomes the efforts to clarify and demarcate the boundaries of Virunga as a first step to enhance its conservation from encroachments and other associated impacts. The Committee notes other efforts of the UNESCO/DRC/UNF Project to continue supporting the conservation of all five World Heritage sites of DRC and requests a detailed report on progress made be submitted to the 27th session of the Committee in June 2003. The Committee requests the Centre to contact appropriate authorities to find ways and means of resolving transborder encroachment issues in Kiolirwe and Karuruma in Virunga. The Committee welcomes the possibility of a UNESCO Director-General led mission in early 2003 and requests that the mission places special emphasis in promoting transborder cooperation between DRC, Rwanda and Uganda for the conservation of World Heritage sites in the Great Lakes Region of Africa. The Committee decides to retain all five sites of DRC in the List of World Heritage in Danger".

Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve (Guinea/Côte d'Ivoire)
Inscribed on the World Heritage List: 1981 under criteria N (ii) and (iv); and on the List of World Heritage in Danger: 1992.

International assistance:	This site has so far received a total amount of US$ 261,009 from the World Heritage Fund for project preparation, consultants, equipment and  training.

Previous deliberations:
25th session of the Committee – Chapter VIII.32 – VIII.43
25th session of the Bureau – Chapter V.34 – V.35

Main issues:	Mining activities in areas immediately outside the site and potential impacts; refugee influx from neighbouring countries; planning of conservation projects with donors and partners.

New information:	  .Fauna & Flora International (FFI) has informed IUCN and the Centre that the Second Tri-National Workshop on the Transboundary Management of the Environment of the Nimba Mountains, was held in N’Zerekore, Guinea, from 12 to 15 February, 2002.  This meeting represented the second stage of a process initiated in collaboration with the three countries (Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea and Liberia, all of which are now States Parties to the Convention, with Liberia acceding to the Convention on 28 March 2002) by three international environmental NGOs; namely Fauna & Flora International, Conservation International and BirdLife International - with financial support from the World Heritage Fund, the Headquarters of Rio Tinto Mining Plc. and the Netherlands’ Committee for IUCN. The long-term goals of this process are to achieve cooperation for the conservation of the Nimba Mountains, prepare a common management strategy, and create a tri-national biosphere reserve of the Mountains. Consensus was reached at the workshop on clear work priorities for the period March 2002 – February 2003 as follows: 
•	Agreement for a tri-national framework agreement, to be legally binding, to permit transboundary field work.  This agreement has been drafted and sent to each of the three countries for comment.  The objective of the agreement is to permit field technicians to collaborate and pursue work across international boundaries in support of management of the wider ecosystem according to mutually agreed work programmes.  To conclude this tri-national agreement, a third tri-national meeting with restricted participation is hoped to take place in Monrovia, Liberia, during the second half of 2002;
•	Resolution of the ambiguity in the boundaries of the Dere-Tiapleu Forests between Côte d’Ivoire and Guinea. The disagreement over this forest area between Côte d’Ivoire and Guinea has threatened to accelerate local forest loss and undermine good relations between local authorities who need to collaborate not only for the protection of that Forest, but also for the overall conservation of the World Heritage site.

Other priorities include the preparation of phased proposals/action plans for tri-national monitoring of fauna, flora, hydrology, meteorology and land-use cover, and tri-national collaboration for certain management activities (fire management, control of poaching, etc.). The implementation of these will depend in part upon signing the tripartite framework agreement.  Workshop participants produced the Declaration of N’Zerekore on the Tri-National Management of the Nimba Mountains which proposes the establishment of a tri-national steering mechanism for transboundary management activities and the submission to each respective government of a legal framework agreement for such international collaboration.  The CEGEN in Guinea, the Directorate for the Protection of Nature (DPN) of Côte d‘Ivoire and the National Environmental Commission of Liberia (NECOLIB) will be responsible for leading this process in their respective countries  The workshop participants also proposed that FFI be responsible for ensuring the continued coordination of these activities, along with the lead agency in each country, and with BirdLife International and Conservation International being responsible for selected technical and logistical questions. 

UNDP-Conakry has informed the Centre that the preparation of a GEF Project document for the conservation of the Mt. Nimba ecosystem has progressed satisfactorily and UNESCO is collaborating with UNDP, CEGEN-Conakry and the NGO partners to initiate dialogue with suitable donors like the European Union, to satisfy co-financing requirements of the prospective GEF grant. 

Action required:  	The Committee may wish to adopt the following:

"The Committee expresses its pleasure in welcoming Liberia as a State Party to the Convention and commends all three States Parties and their NGO partners for establishing a sound framework for transborder collaboration for the conservation of the Mt. Nimba ecosystem. The Committee invites the three Parties to review the draft tri-national framework agreement and cooperate with the NGOs and other partners to finalise the agreement as soon as possible. The Committee also invites Guinea and Côte d’Ivoire to resolve their differences in the boundary of the Dere-Tiapleu Forest in an amicable and effective manner so that the full co-operation of the local authorities and all other stakeholders for the conservation of the Mt. Nimba World Heritage site and the Mt. Nimba ecosystem is realized. The Committee decides to retain this site in the List of World Heritage in Danger."

Manas Wildlife Sanctuary (India)
Inscribed on the World Heritage List: 1985 under criteria   N (ii),  (iii) and (iv); and on the List of World Heritage in Danger: 1992.

International assistance:	US$ 165,000 for equipment, infrastructure rehabilitation and community support activities as part of the implementation of a 3-year rehabilitation plan begun in mid-1997. 

Previous deliberations:
25th session of the Committee – Chapter – VIII.44 – VIII. 45
25th session of the Bureau – Chapter V.38 – V.41

Main issues:	Rehabilitation after infrastructure damage in 1992 due to rebel activities. Poaching of selected wildlife species. 

New information:	The field visit to Manas Wildlife Sanctuary was organized during an IUCN mission to Assam from 5 to 16 February 2002, organized with the cooperation of the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MOEF), the UNESCO Office in New Delhi, and the World Heritage Centre. The principal findings of the mission with regard to the state of conservation of Manas are:
(a)	The insecurity situation has provided an “enabling environment” for several negative elements to misuse the resources of the site. There appears to be considerable levels of organized poaching of wildlife, illegal felling of trees, encroachment and canalization of facilities within the site.  There is a noticeable sense of uncertainty and hesitation amongst site staff;
(b)	Of the three Ranges established to allocate management and protection activities, only the Bansbari Range (i.e. the central area of the site) can be described as being reasonably functional. Insurgency is precluding the resumption of protection activities in the Eastern and Western Ranges where reports allege widespread poaching and illegal harvesting of trees and non timber forest products (NTFPs), including medicinal plants; 
(c)	Site management is finding it difficult to actively address protected area related issues. For example, there is no approved management plan. Lack of reliable data makes it difficult to formulate appropriate management strategies and/or sustainable development activities. However, a draft Management Plan is nearing completion;
(d)	The operating budget, infrastructure, equipment and the present management structure are inadequate. There is insufficient staff with experience and training in routine aspects of protected area management;.
(e)	Limited and/or poorly maintained infrastructure (i.e. roads, communications etc) and basic public services in the towns and villages around the site (for example, limited tourism, transportation and marketing infrastructure) reduces the options for developing and implementing conservation-linked rural, sustainable economic development projects; and
(f)	Poverty and population pressures make the development and implementation of community-based economic/poverty alleviation alternatives a challenging task, which are probably beyond the experience, capacity and resources of present staff. 

Community eco-development programmes appear to be focusing on providing infrastructure and are only weakly linked to engendering support for the Site’s primary nature conservation objectives. They do not adequately contribute to resolving many of the problems facing the management of the site. Unpredictable levels of financial and technical resources limit the ability of the Director and staff to implement management and development programmes in a phased and orderly way. The Site requires a comprehensive and integrated conservation and interpretation strategy. This needs to be linked to a transparent and consultative management planning process and directed towards a wide range of stakeholders, including: local communities, schools, visitors, protection and site staff, as well as local government and other organizations that are active within and around the site.

The Director and staff report that only a very small population of the Asian One-horned rhinoceros is still present in the site. Researchers met by the mission suggest numbers could be below ten individuals. As both the Eastern and Western Ranges are effectively “no go” areas for visitors, and the presence of protection staff is limited to a few locations, it was difficult to accurately assess the impacts of the measures designed to minimize poaching threats to the rhinos. It is certain however that the status of the rhino population in and around Manas is seriously threatened.

With respect to the progress achieved in implementation of the rehabilitation plan adopted in 1997 and the sustainability of the rehabilitation efforts, the mission reported that all of the US$165,000 allocated by UNESCO as emergency assistance has been used on approved projects and equipment procurement. These activities are helping, albeit slowly, to re-establish staff presence for on-site management actions in Manas. The two fibre-glass outboard powered boats purchased as part of the second instalment appear unsuitable for the work they were expected to undertake. 

A trust account has been established by the Assam Forest Department, which has the potential to cover ongoing enforcement and management costs at both Manas (and Kaziranga) World Heritage sites. The site Director has developed a list of priority projects; if funding could be made be available, these projects could significantly help contribute to establishing effective management in most areas other than those threatened by insurgency and militant activities. 

An effective working relationship between Manas Wildlife Sanctuary and Royal Manas National Park (Bhutan) exists and the mission had an opportunity to hold informal discussions with a staff member from Royal Manas National Park. One staff member from the Royal Manas National Park indicated that the current climate is unfavourable for progression towards a transboundary World Heritage proposal. The present scale of poaching and insurgency on both sides of the international border is of serious concern to the Bhutan authorities and the Royal Forest Department of Bhutan has closed the local school and other community facilities, relocated families from the Park base and is anticipating, in the near future, replacing the staff of the Department of Forests  and the National Park staff with an army unit.

Action required:  The Committee may wish to adopt the following:

"The Committee notes with concern the continuing threats posed by insurgency and its impacts on the state of conservation of the site, particularly in the Eastern and the Western Ranges of the site. The Committee invites the Government of India and the State Government of Assam to investigate the possibilities of including the state of conservation of Manas as an agenda item in on-going discussions and dialogues with the militant and rebel leaders and in bilateral talks between India and Bhutan on border security issues. Despite the continuing threats to the World Heritage values of the site, the Committee notes with satisfaction that a draft management plan is nearing completion, progressive reconstruction of camps and guard posts is underway and staff presence for on-site management actions are gradually on the increase. The cordial working relations between site-staff and their counterparts in the Royal Manas National Park of Bhutan is also helpful in the conservation of the site. The Committee invites the Centre and IUCN to review with the State Party the list of potential projects prepared by the site Director and ways and means of financing their execution, particularly with a view to putting in place transparent and consultative management planning processes, participatory planning and execution of rural development activities; research and interpretation and conservation awareness building activities. The trust fund established by the State Government of Assam may be considered a possible financing mechanism for attracting resources from international and national donors. The Committee invites the State Party to consider inviting another UNESCO/IUCN mission within the next two years to review progress in the implementation of the mission’s recommendations. The Committee decides to retain the site in the List of World Heritage in Danger".

Aïr and Ténéré Natural Reserves (Niger)
Inscribed on the World Heritage List: 1991 under criteria N (ii), (iii) and (iv); and on the List of World Heritage in Danger: 1996.

International assistance:	Aïr and Ténéré Natural Reserves has benefited from a total sum of US$ 177,000 from the World Heritage Fund including the US$ 127,000 for projects that are being currently executed as part of the rehabilitation plan for the site. 

Previous deliberations:
25th session of the Committee – Chapter – VIII.46 – VIII.49
25th session of the Bureau – Chapter V.42 – V.44

Main issues:	Rehabilitation of rebel impacted areas; wildlife and other surveys to assess achievements of the rehabilitation plan being implemented; staff training and infrastructure development. Development of conservation projects in co-operation with donors and partners.

New information: . 	IUCN and the Centre were informed in March 2002 that the vehicle and other equipment provided as part of Emergency Assistance had not been transferred to the site.  IUCN Niger reports that the vehicle purchased by UNESCO was transferred to the site, but was stolen on 13 or 14 March 2002 at Iferouane.  At present the security forces are searching for many other vehicles stolen in similar circumstances.

During a mission to Niger in March 2002 to assess the conservation status of Niger’s Sahelo-saharan wildlife, WWF International’s Species Programme spent several days in the Reserve and at Iferouane, and reported the following:  (a) in comparison with the situation of a few years ago, the on-the-ground capacity to manage the Reserve has deteriorated and is inadequate; (b) athough conditions are not ideal, there is genuine local commitment to seeing the reserve function correctly, and especially to see species such as the ostrich restored; (c) strong concern was voiced by the local authorities that the resources made available by UNESCO for the Reserve were still not available locally, and were based with the Reserve warden in Niamey, situated some 1300 kilometers away; and (d) WWF discussed with the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries the need for a greater and more permanent presence of the Department within the Reserve.  It was informed that staff changes are planned, and a senior person is to be dispatched to Iferouane in the near future.

Several support programmes implemented by IUCN and other donors in the Reserves have been terminated or are pursuing new directions. For example, the support provided by the Swiss Government will be re-directed in 2003 to issues related to rural development and poverty alleviation with less emphasis on conservation and management of natural resources. IUCN-Niger is working with WWF to obtain more support for conservation activities from UNDP’s Programme for Biodiversity Conservation in the Sahara. WWF recommends support for the local NGO activities. The idea of an appropriately scaled ostrich reintroduction programme seems particularly attractive because there is a need, some animals are available and a desire on the part of the local population to see it happen.  Such a programme will create something tangible around which the bigger issues of reserve management, resourcing, control, etc. can be addressed. It will motivate and encourage support for these more difficult issues. WWF and associated organizations comprising the Sahelo-saharan wildlife interest group intend to provide the local NGOs with technical information on how best to maintain and raise the ostriches that are currently held in captivity.  The group is in the process of developing a major pilot project for one of the Sahelian nations, and it may be able to provide limited support of a technical nature to efforts in the Reserves. 

Action Required: 	The Committee may wish to adopt the following:

"The Committee invites the State Party to submit a detailed report on the vehicle, purchased using the resources of the World Heritage Fund, which have allegedly been stolen. As part of the same report the Committee recommends that the State Party address the staffing and infrastructure development issues for the site and the current security conditions and threats posed by vandalism and illegal actions. An up-to-date assessment on the state of implementation of the rehabilitation plan for the site approved by the Bureau in 1999 and a review of the sustainability of donor and Government financing for the conservation of the Reserves is also needed. The Committee urges the Centre and IUCN to work with the State Party on the preparation of such a report for submission to its 27th session in June 2003. The Committee decides to retain this site in the List of World Heritage in Danger". 

Ichkeul National Park (Tunisia)
Inscribed on the World Heritage List: 1980 under criteria N (iv); and on the List of World Heritage in Danger: 1996.

International assistance:	Ichkeul National Park has so far been provided with US$ 65,000 for technical support and training activities.

Previous deliberations: 
25th session of the Committee – Chapter – CIII.53 - 55
Twenty-fifth session of the Bureau – Chapter V.51 – V.56

Main issues:	Deterioration of the Lake ecosystem integrity due to upstream development and agricultural encroachments; Lake rehabilitation efforts through action to ensure annual minimum supplies of freshwater to the Lake; Policy and managerial coordination to ensure effective implementation of conservation actions.

New information:	At its 25th session, the Committee noted the emergency assistance request submitted by the State Party to: (a) convene a workshop on the rational management of water resources in the Ichkeul catchment; and to (b) implement a follow up programme for monitoring the results of the actions and plans to rehabilitate the Ichkeul Lake ecosystem. The follow up monitoring programme is expected to meet the recommendations of the Committee, reiterated during its last two sessions, with regard to elaborating a monitoring programme that would define indicators and benchmarks that would guide the Committee’s assessment of the outcome of the State Party efforts to rehabilitate the Ichkeul Lake ecosystem. The Chairperson has approved a sum of US$ 50,000 for the emergency assistance project.

IUCN will assist the Centre and the State Party to organize the workshop and associated missions and activities.  The workshop is scheduled to be held in September 2002. At the time of writing of this report, the Centre is negotiating the terms of reference for establishing the contract for the use of the US$ 50,000 approved by the Chairperson as emergency assistance for the rehabilitation of the Lake Ichkeul Ecosystem.

Action required: 	The Committee may wish to adopt the following:

"The Committee notes with satisfaction the organization of a workshop in order to define the indicators, benchmarks and other components of a scientific monitoring programme that would guide the Committee’s future assessments of the performance of the rehabilitation programme for the Ichkeul Lake National Park. The Committee invites the State Party to submit a detailed report on the results of the emergency assistance project, including a description of the monitoring programme, to the 27th session of the Committee in June 2003. The Committee decides to retain this site in the List of World Heritage in Danger“

World Heritage sites of the United States of America: 

Everglades National Park 
Inscribed on the World Heritage List: 1979 under criteria N (i), (ii) and (iv); and on the List of World Heritage in Danger: 1993.

International assistance:	None

Previous deliberations:
25th session of the Committee – Chapter VIII.57 – VIII.58
25th session of the Bureau – Chapter V. 

Main issues:	 Land acquisition and other rehabilitation measures to restore and maintain wetland ecosystem integrity and World Heritage values; elaboration of monitoring plan with benchmarks and indicators that can guide Committee decisions on removal of site the from the List of World Heritage in Danger.

New information: 	IUCN notes that Everglades National Park appeared in the Department of Interior’s inaugural “Top 12 Projects to Restore America’s Parks”. The Department plans to spend US$4.1 million to improve the Flamingo wastewater system, which treats 135,000 gallons (510,975 litres) per day. The project will upgrade the collection and disposal system to bring it into compliance with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. IUCN has received reports that the Army Corps of Engineers had issued permits allowing mining in 5,409 acres in the Everglades region for the next 10 years, more than doubling the amount of limestone quarries in the protected wetlands in a tract between Everglades National Park and the city of Miami.  This area, known as the Lake Belt due to the large number of manmade lakes created by limestone mining since the 1950s, has long been legislated for mining by the Florida authorities. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Interior have objected to the permits on the grounds of possible damage to the wildlife habitat, the contamination threat to underground drinking water supplies, and to the amount of water the pits may divert through increased seepage from the Everglades. All permits are north and east of the Park. The Park is studying the possibility of increased water seepage.

Action required: 	The Committee may wish to adopt the following:

“The Committee requests the State Party to provide information on mining permits, and potential and anticipated impacts on the World Heritage site. The Committee commends the State Party for the decision to spend US$ 4.1 million on wastewater management improvements at the site and for its wide-ranging efforts to improve its state of conservation. Furthermore, the Committee invites the State Party to report on the development of action plans and the definition of parameters and conditions to monitor progress in the restoration of the integrity of the site with a view to facilitating the Committee’s future considerations for removing the site from the List of World Heritage in Danger. The Committee requests the State Party to cooperate with the Centre and IUCN to provide the information and reports concerning the above-mentioned items for presentation at the 27th session of the Committee in June 2003. The Committee decides to retain the site in the List of World Heritage in Danger".

Yellowstone 
Inscribed on the World Heritage List: 1978 under criteria  N (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv); and on the List of World Heritage in Danger: 1995. 

International assistance:	None

Previous deliberations:
25th session of the Committee – Chapter VIII.59 – VIII.60
25th session of the Bureau – Chapter V.

Main issues: 	Tourism regulation; control of wildlife infection and transmission to domestic stock; invasive species eradication and control; elaboration of a monitoring plan with benchmarks and indicators that can guide Committee decisions on removal of the site from the List of World Heritage in Danger.

New information:	 	IUCN reports that the 2001-2002 snowmobile season was the worst recorded in Yellowstone National Park history for illegal snowmobile activity. 338 infringements were filed, more than double the previous year’s total, and hundreds of warnings for violations ranging from speeding to careless driving to trespassing into protected areas were issued.  A snowmobile industry lawsuit has taken almost a year and a half and has delayed the phase out of snowmobiles.  The State Party report to the 25th session of the Committee noted that, in response to the lawsuit– a Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) was to be prepared. IUCN understands that the SEIS was released in February 2002, and, as with previous studies, it demonstrates that snowmobile use would cause significantly more pollution and noise and provide less protection for Yellowstone’s wildlife than the proposed alternative of using snow-coaches. The Draft SEIS identifies four alternatives for winter use management in Yellowstone, including two plans, which would ban snowmobiles from the Park altogether, and two which would grant the vehicles access to the Park but set quotas on the numbers allowed at various entrances and impose emission standards. The NPS has received 350,000 comments on the Draft SEIS which are currently being evaluated. IUCN has furthermore noted that Yellowstone has been included in the Department of Interior’s inaugural “Top 12 Projects to Restore America’s Parks”.  The Department plans to spend US$75,000 to move a sewer line away from the Old Faithful Geyser and the active portion of the basin in order to protect the geysers and groundwater and prevent damage to the wastewater system. 

Action required:  	The Committee may wish to adopt the following:

"The Committee commends the State Party on preparing the Draft SEIS and for the commitment of US$75,000 for the protection of the site’s environmental quality. The Committee requests the authorities to provide information on the follow-up to the Draft SEIS alternatives as well as on implementation of restoration plans in the Park. The Committee urges the State Party to continue to report on Yellowstone’s snowmobile phase-out and other efforts to insure that winter travel respects the Park, its visitors, and its wildlife. Furthermore, the Committee invites the State Party to report on the development of action plans and the definition of parameters and conditions to monitor progress in the restoration of the integrity of the site with a view to facilitating the Committee’s future considerations for removing the site from the List of World Heritage in Danger. The Committee requests the State Party to cooperate with the Centre and IUCN to provide the information and reports concerning the above mentioned items for presentation at the 27th session of the Committee in June 2003. The Committee decides to retain the site in the List of World Heritage in Danger".

B.	Cultural Heritage

Butrint (Albania)
Inscribed on the World Heritage List: 1992 under criterion C (iii); .and on the List of World Heritage in Danger: 1997.

International Assistance: Following the decision of the Committee in 1997 to allocate US$ 100,000 as Emergency Assistance, four contracts have been established for a total amount of US$ 33,000. In 1999, a proposal for implementation of further activities was received and has been approved for a total amount of US$ 40,800 by the Chairperson of the Committee. However, there are serious delays in the implementation and reporting on some of the contracts. 

Previous deliberations:
25th session of the Committee – Chapter VIII.61
25th session of the Bureau –  Chapter V.64 – V.69

Main issues : State of conservation of the property and implementation of the recommendations of the joint sessions.  Implementation of the Emergency Assistance.

New information: 	The 25th session of the Bureau requested the State Party to submit a report by 15 September 2001 on its proposal for the implementation of recommendations contained in the report of the joint mission UNESCO-ICOMOS-Butrint Foundation (19-24 April 2001). A report was received from the Ministry of Culture on 22 February 2002. This report informed that the setting and character of the landscape of the World Heritage site of Butrint is of great importance and that the Ministry of Culture, through its local office in Saranda, the Butrint Administration and Coordination Office (BAC), and in cooperation with the World Bank, have completed the law for managing the site. This law is to be passed in the Albanian Parliament in the near future and will prevent any development within the Park's territory and its boundaries. The report also underlined that the BAC Office has been very active in preventing any illegal activities within the Park boundaries and its vicinity. Furthermore, the report informed that efforts are underway, in cooperation with the World Bank, to enlist the Butrint National Park in the Ramsar List as a site of significant environmental importance. 

Concerning the archaeological resources, the report stressed that the BAC Office is continuing its efforts to coordinate the work of the Institute of Archaeology and of the Butrint Foundation and that a computer based Geographical Information System is being developed and would serve towards better management of the archaeological resources. A management plan is being developed to pursue a combination of archaeological research, archaeological excavations and follow-up of conservation actions. With regard to the standing structures, there has been considerable progress but there is still much to be done. The BAC Office is now working on developing a full annual maintenance programme. The conservation and display of the mosaics remains as a priority. 

Furthermore, the report underlined that security has improved with the introduction of the Park Ranger Programme. The Butrint Rangers have completed a comprehensive training programme offered by the International Ranger Federation and a grant by the World Bank. The reopening of the Butrint Museum is the responsibility of the Institute of Archaeology. Security issues for the Museum would be addressed through a comprehensive management plan. However, the report stressed that little progress has been made in the efforts to reopen the Museum. Finally, and concerning the site presentation and interpretation, the report informed that publications for visitor information are available at the entry kiosk of the site and that the recent publication of the guidebook, by the Butrint Foundation, in both English and Albanian, improves the on-site information provided. Furthermore, Park guides are trained by the BAC Office. Contacts have also been established with schools for the effective use of the educational potential of the World Heritage site of Butrint.

Action Required: 	 The Committee may wish to adopt the following decision:

" The Committee takes note of the report provided by the State Party and welcomes the progress made to enhance the protection, preservation and presentation of the World Heritage site. The Committee reiterates the recommendations made by the Bureau at its 25th session notably regarding the enlargement of the Butrint National Park Board to include, at the national and regional level, all relevant authorities in order to ensure a strong and effective co-ordination for the management of the World Heritage site. The Committee urges the State Party to take all appropriate measures, at the national level, to ensure that the Butrint National Park law be enacted as soon as possible in order to better protect the site. Furthermore, the Committee reiterates its recommendation to the State Party to work closely with the Secretariat for the smooth implementation of emergency assistance from the World Heritage Fund. The Committee requests the State Party to provide a report by 1 February 2003 on the measures taken to complete these recommendations for examination by its next session in June 2003. The Committee decides to retain this site in the List of World Heritage in Danger."

Angkor (Cambodia)
At the time of preparation of this working document, no new information had been received by the World Heritage Centre. An oral report will be presented during the Committee session. 

Group of Monuments at Hampi  (India)  
Inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1986 under criteria C (i), (iii) and (iv);  and on the List of World Heritage in Danger in 1999.
 
International assistance:	None.

Previous deliberations:
25th session of the WH Committee - Chapter VIII.64-68
25th session of the Bureau – Chapter V.70 – V.74

Main issues: 	
•	Lack of a comprehensive management approach and plan. 
•	Lack of co-ordinating authority.  
•	Rural development pressure and ad-hoc public works.

New information:
•	The World Heritage Centre had not received further information concerning the establishment of a special administrative body empowered to ensure integrated development and conservation of the whole World Heritage protected areas. This body, for which the Karnataka State Government had been taking legal steps to establish, would primarily co-ordinate various development and cultural and natural heritage conservation activities within the World Heritage protected areas.
 
•	The World Heritage Centre commenced the preparation for the implementation of a project funded by voluntary contributions from a Swedish Tourism conglomerate, TEMA, amounting to US$ 80,000 for the rehabilitation of one historic building within Hampi into a Heritage House for Enhanced Management of the World Heritage protected areas. 

•	The World Heritage Centre, English Heritage and the Indian Authorities agreed upon dates in May 2002 for a Study Tour to the United Kingdom for the regional and national site-managers of Hampi to share site-management experiences with English Heritage.

•	Following the request of the Committee at its twenty-fifth session, the World Heritage Centre expects to receive further updated information concerning the progress. 

Action required:  The Committee may wish to examine any additional information at the time of its session, and adopt a decision as appropriate. 

Bahla Fort (Oman)
Inscribed on the World Heritage List: 1987 under criterion C (iv); and on the List of World Heritage in Danger: 1988.
 
International Assistance: 	Total amount (up to 2000) US$ 66,772; missions on an annual basis 1996- 2000 (on a cost-sharing basis) to monitor restoration works and provide advice to the conservation team.

Previous deliberations:
25th session of the Committee – Chapter VIII.67 – VIII.68
25th session of the Bureau – Chapter V. 75 – V.78

Main issues: : 	Management plan; construction of a new market

New information: 	The World Heritage Centre fielded an expert mission to the site from 28 November to 5 December 2001, to review the progress of the Management Plan and conservation works at the site. While the UNESCO experts found that conservation works at the Fort were proceeding satisfactorily, some concerns were expressed in their report on the progress of the Management Plan, entrusted by the Omani authorities to a consultant firm based in Oman. After reviewing a draft of the Stage 1 Report prepared by the consultant firm, the experts insisted on the need to further develop a thorough analysis and survey of the cultural and natural values of the site (including the Oasis and its surroundings), which apparently had not been sufficiently covered by the Ministry of Heritage and Culture in their Terms of Reference. Moreover, the UNESCO experts recommended that more attention be paid to ensure that needs and opinions of the local community be effectively taken into account in the consultative process leading to the preparation of the Management Plan. The World Heritage Centre, to this day, has not received copy of the Stage 1 Report. 

On the tender launched by the Ministry of Trade, for the construction of a new market within the Bahla Oasis, which was a cause for concern of the World Heritage Centre mission to Oman of May 2001, the Terms of Reference for its design have apparently been modified in consultation with the Ministry of Heritage and Culture. The Centre, however, has not received any information on progress in this matter.

Action required: The Committee may wish to adopt the following decision:

"The Committee commends the Omani authorities for the substantial achievement in the advancement of conservation works at the Fort, and for the preparation of the Management Plan. The Committee, however, recommends the State Party to ensure that a comprehensive survey and analysis of cultural and natural values of the Bahla Oasis and its surroundings be included in the scope of work of the consultant firm. The Committee, furthermore, requests that the State Party transmit to the Centre a copy of all Reports prepared by the consultant as well as any technical documentation relating to the proposed construction of a new market within the Oasis. The Committee, finally, requests the State Party to submit a report on the progress of all the above mentioned issues for examination by the 27th session of the Bureau in April 2003. The Committee decides to retain this site in List of World Heritage in Danger."

Fort and Shalamar Gardens in Lahore (Pakistan)
Inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1981 under criteria C (i), (ii) and (iii); and on the List of World Heritage in Danger in 2000.

International assistance:  Technical Cooperation  in 2000, US$ 10,000: Archaeological, soil and design research and the preparation of a planting plan for the Shalamar Gardens, for preparing a restoration plan. Emergency Assistance, in 2001, US$ 50,000: Elaboration of a comprehensive management plan.

Previous deliberations:
25th session of the WH Committee - Chapter VIII.69-79
24th session of the WH Committee - Chapter VIII.30

Main issues: 	
•	Lack of a comprehensive management strategy and plan, urban encroachment and ad-hoc public works
•	Need for enhancing the capacity of the site management authorities in conservation techniques, project elaboration, and site presentation. 

New information: 
•	At the time of the preparation of the working document, the Government of Pakistan was officially submitting its reformulated plan of action to develop a comprehensive management plan for the Shalamar Gardens with the US$ 50,000 Emergency Assistance approved under the 2001 budget. 

•	Following the mission undertaken by experts and the Deputy Director of the World Heritage Centre in April 2001, the proposal for submission to the European Union Asia-Urbs Programme and to the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs was drafted for enhancing the management and development of the immediate vicinity of the Shalamar Gardens within Lahore Metropolitan City. This proposal, which will be a joint proposal from the cities of Lahore, Nancy (France) and Salford (United Kingdom), will be presented to the European Union in September 2002.

	Action required: The Committee may wish to adopt the following decision:

“The Committee, although regretting the delays in implementing the Emergency Assistance activity for taking corrective measures to remove the threats facing the property, takes note with appreciation, of the positive actions taken and being planned by the State Party and the World Heritage Centre for the rehabilitation of the Shalamar Gardens and for elaborating a comprehensive management plan for the site.  The Committee requests the State Party and the Centre to continue its co-operation in order to ensure that an integrated conservation, management and development plan will be elaborated, adopted and implemented as soon as possible. The Committee requests the State Party and the Centre to report on the progress made in removing the threats facing the site for examination by the Committee at its 27th session.”

Archaeological Zone of Chan Chan (Peru)
Inscribed on the World Heritage List and the List of World Heritage in Danger in 1986, under criteria 
C (i) and (iii).

International assistance:	Conservation/preservation of the site and preparation of the Master Plan: US$ 78,650
Earthen Architectural Conservation Course: US$ 20,000
Master Plan for the Archaeological Zone of Chan Chan: US$ 8.700.

Previous deliberations:
25th session of the Committee – Chapter VIII.73-79
24th session of the Committee – Chapter VIII.20

Main Issues: Conservation of earthen architecture and encroachment at the site.

New information: At the time of preparation of this working document, the World Heritage Centre had not received the official report from the State Party requested by the Committee at its 25th session.

Action required: The Committee may wish to examine any additional information available during its 26th session and adopt a decision as appropriate.

Rice Terraces of the Philippines Cordilleras (Philippines)
Inscribed in 1995  under criteria C (iii), (iv) and (v) on the World Heritage List and on the List of World Heritage in Danger in 2001.

International assistance:
Total amount (up to 2001): US$98,200
In 2002: US$75,000 on Emergency Technical Cooperation for the enhancement of conservation and management of the Rice Terraces.

Previous deliberations:
25th World Heritage Committee, Chapter VIII 111-120. 

Main issues:
Continuing uncontrolled construction of shelters on the terraces. Lack of an effective site management authority.

New information:
In February 2002, the UNESCO National Commission for the Philippines informed the Centre, IUCN and ICOMOS that three significant projects were being organized:

a) 	Review of the “Master Plan” and implementation of some of the components specified within it; 

b) 	Cultural and physical restoration projects of the Rice Terraces are being developed (approximately US$1,000,000); 

c) 	Department of the Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) project on reforestation and forest management .

Meanwhile, the Centre and the Advisory Bodies have continued to receive reports of uncontrolled construction of shelters on the terraces, as well as signs of climate-induced changes to the property as a whole.

On 9 March 2002, the Centre, IUCN and ICOMOS were informed that the BRTTF had been abolished, along with 60 other national agencies, by an Executive Order issued by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on 11 February 2002. The reason for the abolition of these bodies was given to streamline governmental services. Initial reports indicated that the Philippines National Commission for Culture and Arts (NCCA) assumed the overall authority and responsibility for the conservation, management and presentation of the Rice Terraces. However, the UNESCO National Commission for the Philippines informed the Secretariat in March 2002 that it was attempting to have the BRTTF absorbed into the Ifugao Provincial Governor’s office so that the Governor could provide the management focal point for the property and assume responsibility for managing funds and projects, while co-ordinating closely with the NCCA.

On 15 April 2002, the two Advisory Bodies received a Status Report on the BRTTF from the UNESCO National Commission of the Philippines, recounting the results of a meeting between the Commission, the Ifugao Province Governor and BRTTF representatives:

•	The Governor has formally offered for his Office to absorb the functions and tasks of the BRTTF, through the establishment of a Management Unit responsible for the conservation of the Rice Terraces; 

•	Two members of the BRTTF staff trained by the UNESCO-GIS project will be absorbed, if budget can be secured to ensure their salary, and additional staff will be assigned from the Governor’s office;

•	The National Commission welcomes this positive development which means that management of the property will be locally based (rather than being directed from the national level) and directly involve stakeholders;

•	The UNESCO Emergency Assistance Grant will be halted until the Management Unit has been set up and the complete transfer of BRTTF functions completed;

•	The initial national restoration projects approved will proceed under the supervision of the NCCA. 

IUCN expressed its concern that the management of the natural value of the site may suffer without an effective management body which has appropriate skills in resources and environmental management. ICOMOS shares this concern, since the cultural values of the site are equally threatened by the lack of an effective management structure. Management requires involvement of representatives from agencies responsible for natural resources and the environment, and in the case of the Rice Terraces, agriculture, as well as from the Provincial and Local authorities.

Action required: The Committee may wish to adopt the following decision:

“The Committee, being informed of the abolition of the BRTTF, and noting that momentum following the inscription of the List of World Heritage in Danger could be lost through the re-organization of national authorities responsible for the protection of this site, expresses its deep concern and urges the State Party to take all steps to ensure a smooth and efficient hand-over between the BRTTF and the Governor of the Ifugao Province. 

The Committee further requests the Philippine authorities to report on the state of conservation of the site for consideration by the Bureau at its 27th session including the following information:

•	Report on the progress made in the implementation of various proposals for the management of the site, including those by NCCA and DENR;

•	Information on the functions and tasks to the Office of the Governor following the transfer of the management authority from BRTTF. Clarification on the degree and range of stakeholders’ participation in the planning and management of the property; 

•	Clarification on the relationship between the Office of the Governor and the national level bodies including NCAA, Department of Tourism, DENR and Department of Agriculture with respect to the management and conservation of the property;

•	Information on resources being provided for adequate staffing of the new Management Authority; 

•	Progress in the mobilization of major international co-operation for the conservation and development of the property." 

Historic Town of Zabid (Yemen)
Inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1993 under criteria C (ii), (iv), (vi); and on the List of World Heritage in Danger in 2000.

International assistance :  Total amount (up to 2001) : US$ 114,000
In 2001: Emergency assistance for a safeguarding plan of the site and implementation of emergency measures for an amount of US$ 50,000.

Previous deliberations: 
25th session of the Committee (Chapter VIII.80 – 82)

Main issues:
•	Internal restructuration of GOPHCY
•	Delay in the implementation of Committee recommendations
•	Lack of traditional materials (noura bricks)
•	Lack of coordination between the activities of the different actors and donors.

New information:
The condition of the Town remains unchanged, but the work on the drainage system, the cleaning and creation of a refuse collection system and the restoration of the Souk and certain monuments are planned and should commence in May/June 2002.

The urban conservation plan is being studied by the Ministry of Public Works and urban studies and by the Dutch project UCHP. The study is progressing very slowly due to the delay experienced in the inventory of the construction work that is only partially completed.

Concerning the urban plan and rehabilitation operations, in February 2002, architect restorers were sent on mission to Zabid by the World Heritage Centre to study the state of the monuments, the urban typology and the built heritage.  The following recommendations were made: the mission insisted upon the urgent need to rapidly finalise the urban conservation plan and the need to define the regulations in order to proceed with the conservation/rehabilitation operations of the historic tissue, the modalities for the use of public space and in particular the standards concerning control of demolitions, reconstructions and the management of existing buildings.

The lack of the traditional brick (noura) necessary for the restoration and rehabilitation work in the Zabid region is another constraint.  In 1999, the Centre assisted the authorities to build a traditional brick oven.  For several reasons, and specifically an accident causing the death of a man, the oven was never exploited.

Consequently, the mission recommended: 1) the immediate dispatch of experts to the site by the Centre to formulate a preliminary urban conservation plan to serve as a basis for the final plan and to define the regulations and preliminary orientations for the future urban regulations of the Historic Town; 2) immediate exploitation, after control of the material, of the existing brick oven and the construction of two other ovens financed by UCHP (Dutch project), to respond to the  needs of rehabilitation activities which will very shortly recommence.

Concerning the institutional framework, the delay incurred in the implementation of the studies, of “quick-Scan”, the brick oven and the urban conservation plan stem from internal difficulties at the GOPHCY (General Organization for the Preservation of Historic Cities of Yemen).  The work of this Organization was interrupted for several months by transfer of high-level personnel and established teams, impairing its capabilities in carrying out its role as relay for the Centre and coordinator responsible for operations at site.  Fortunately, the situation has improved and the Centre hopes to install a better and more efficient cooperation with the GOPHCY.

The World Heritage Centre will organize an expert mission during May 2002 to bring together all the partners involved in the safeguarding of Zabid and define with them clear modalities to coordinate actions and the division of tasks and draw up a clear timetable for the implementation of the activities.  At the same time, the Centre shall assign a consultant for a preliminary study of the urban conservation plan.  This plan should foresee the immediate implementation of the first reconstruction activities prior to the commencement of the other planned works.  This study will be financed from the World Heritage Centre Netherlands Funds-in-Trust.

Action required:  The Committee may wish to examine at the time of its session additional information which may be available following the May 2002 mission, and adopt a decision as appropriate.

Natural and Culturo-Historical Region of Kotor (Yugoslavia)
Inscribed on the World Heritage List and the List of World Heritage in Danger in 1979, under criteria
C (i) (ii) (iii) (iv).

International Assistance:
Emergency Assistance: 1979, US$ 20,000, Kotor (earthquake)
Technical Cooperation: 1982, US$    39,284. 

Previous deliberations: 3rd session of the Committee:

The 19th session of the World Heritage Bureau (3-8 July 1995) decided not to review the state of conservation of the site: “XV.2 Among the amendments that were adopted, the Bureau decided, upon the request of the Delegate of Italy, and endorsed by some other delegates and observers, that the reference concerning the Natural and Culturo-Historical Region of Kotor (Yugoslavia), mentioned on page 27 of the draft report (English language) presenting the state of conservation reports of the sites inscribed on the World Heritage in Danger List, be deleted from the report on the grounds that "it had not been discussed by the Bureau".”

Main issues: Following long years of non-reporting, a complete review of the current state of conservation is needed. The state of recovery efforts following the 1979 earthquake when nearly 70% of the monuments were destroyed remain unclear. 

New information: A meeting between the Centre and the Permanent Delegation of Yugoslavia took place in February 2002 concerning the state of conservation of Kotor and to review the situation of the site with regard to an eventual deletion of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger. 

Action required: The Committee may wish to adopt the following decision: 

“The Committee notes that preliminary consultations took place between the Centre and the State Party concerning the state of conservation of Kotor and requests the authorities to invite an UNESCO-ICOMOS mission to evaluate the restoration of the site and its current state of conservation. The Committee requests the mission to provide a recommendation as to whether or not the site could be removed from the List of World Heritage in Danger at the 27th session of the Committee in 2003.”