Decision 45 COM 7A.15

Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra (Indonesia) (N 1167)

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Having examined Document WHC/23/45.COM/7A.Add.2,
2. Recalling Decision 44 COM 7A.52 adopted at its extended 44th session (Fuzhou/online, 2021),
3. Reiterates its ongoing concern regarding the persistent challenges to the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the property, due to encroachment, the impacts of invasive species, and the prospect of road development, which have the potential to aggravate the decline of key species and the increasing ecological isolation of the property; and expresses its sincere regret that the State Party continues to engage in contemplating potential development activities, including road construction, and reiterates its call to the State Party to increase its efforts to implement the corrective measures in order to avoid gradual loss of OUV of the property over time;
4. Notes some positive actions undertaken by the State Party, including the development and implementation of ecosystem management and restoration plans, the strengthening of community engagement efforts, and the reaffirmed absence of mining concessions, mining exploration permits or new roads within the property;
5. Requests the State Party to provide further information on the Ministerial Decree on Coordination Team of Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra (TRHS) Management, with specific reference to the resulting support to the management of the property;
6. Acknowledging that no decision has been taken for the proposed forest clearance within the property, and that a moratorium to prevent primary forest loss has been extended, notes with concern the reported continued forest loss within the property with a significantly lower rate, and urges the State Party to prioritize restoration activities in ecologically sensitive areas, wildlife corridors and roadsides;
7. Also requests the State Party to provide clarification and detailed information pertaining to the following:
   1. Muara Situlen-Gelombang road that would reportedly cut 18 km through Gunung Leuser National Park (GLNP),
   2. Four hydropower dams (Soraya Dam, Jambo Aye Dam, Kluet Dam and Samarkilang Dam) and mining projects located within the Leuser Ecosystem in the vicinity of GLNP,
   3. The spatial plan under development for the Leuser Ecosystem;
8. Also notes the EIA findings for the Karo-Langkat road upgrade for which works have already been completed and further requests the State Party to ensure the full and timely implementation of the identified mitigation measures;
9. Further notes that the EIAs for the Sanggi-Bengkunat road upgrade and the Bukit Tapan-Sungai Penuh road widening projects are undergoing finalization, and requests furthermore the State Party to clarify the current status of these projects and submit the EIAs to the World Heritage Centre for review by IUCN, ensuring that the EIAs are in conformity with the Guidance and Toolkit for Impact Assessments in a World Heritage Context and include mitigation options that would result in minimal or no impact on the OUV of the property and retain the option not to proceed with the projects if this is not achievable;
10. Requests moreover the State Party to provide details on the Trans-Sumatran Highway proposal in relation to the GLNP component of the property, including the proximity of roadworks to the national park and any assessment undertaken on potential impacts on the OUV of the property;
11. Notes furthermore that the new management plan of KSNP for 2020-2029 was finalized, and invites the State Party to submit this management plan in English, either in full or as a summary, to the World Heritage Centre;
12. Requests moreover the State Party to submit a detailed report on the implementation of the corrective measures, action plan and timeframe for their implementation, and encourages the State Party to continue the property boundary demarcation supported by the UNESCO/Netherlands Funds-in-Trust project, and to seek guidance from the World Heritage Centre, IUCN and the UNESCO Office in Jakarta to advance a proposal for a significant boundary modification;
13. Finally requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2024, 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 46th session;
14. Notes with concern the persisting threats to the property and their potential impact on its OUV and decides to apply the Reinforced Monitoring Mechanism to the property to allow for a closer monitoring of its state of conservation;
15. Decides to retain Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra (Indonesia) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.