Decision 40 COM 7B.90

Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex (Thailand) (N 590rev)

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Having examined Document WHC/16/40.COM/7B,
2. Recalling Decision 39 COM 7B.17, adopted at its 39th session (Bonn, 2015),
3. Commends the State Party for the significant efforts taken to address the threat from illegal logging of Siamese Rosewood, and welcomes the international collaboration, including coordinated patrols with the State Party of Cambodia, to prevent and suppress illegal trade in Siamese Rosewood;
4. Notes that illegal logging is still a serious concern as a result of the increasing market value of Siamese Rosewood and therefore, requests the State Party to provide updated statistics on illegal logging of Siamese Rosewood for fiscal years 2014-2016 as well as outcomes from the implementation of the Action Plan to Prevent and Suppress Illegal Logging of Siamese Rosewood in the Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex (DPKYFC);
5. Urges the States Parties of Thailand, Cambodia, China, Lao People’s Democratic Republic and Viet Nam to further strengthen their collaboration to combat illegal logging at the source, reduce demand at its destination, and intercept shipments of illegally logged Rosewood during transit;
6. Also requests the State Party to undertake further investigations to determine the extent to which poaching, associated or not with illegal logging, is a threat to the property’s OUV;
7. Notes with appreciation the efforts undertaken by the State Party to address encroachment and the construction of illegal resorts, and further requests the State Party to ensure that the process of clarifying land rights in forest areas is undertaken in a fully transparent manner and with full participation of the concerned local communities;
8. Also notes that Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) for the Huay Satone Dam and the expansion of Highway 348, both within the property, have not been allowed, and requests furthermore the State Party to confirm unambiguously and in writing that these projects will not be permitted to proceed;
9. Requests moreover the State Party to invite an IUCN Reactive Monitoring mission to monitor and evaluate effective implementation of the Action Plan on Curbing Illegal Logging and Trade of Siamese Rosewood in Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex 2014-2019;
10. Requests in addition the State Party to provide an electronic and three printed copies of the draft Strategic Plan on Tourism in World Natural Heritage for review by the World Heritage Centre and IUCN;
11. Finally requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2017, an updated report on the state of conservation of the property and the implementation of the above, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 41st session in 2017, with a view to considering, in light of assessment of the Reactive Monitoring mission, possible inscription of the property on the List of World Heritage in Danger.