Decision 45 COM 7B.86

Chitwan National Park (Nepal) (N 284)

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Having examined Document WHC/23/45.COM/7B.Add,
2. Recalling Decision 44 COM 7B.188 adopted at its extended 44th (Fuzhou/online, 2021) session,
3. Notes with appreciation the ongoing collaborative efforts to combat rhino poaching in the property, however, expresses its continued concern about the resurgence of rhino poaching and other recent deaths of rhinos reportedly linked to construction activities, requests the State Party to provide clarification on these reported incidents and to further strengthen measures within and around the property to prevent poaching;
4. Noting that the new alignment to locate the East-West Electrified Railroad outside the property is yet to be finalized, reiterates its request to the State Party to submit an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the proposed alignment which adequately assesses its potential impacts on the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the property in line with the Guidance and Toolkit for Impact Assessments in a World Heritage Context, together with a detailed map, to the World Heritage Centre for review by IUCN when it is available and before finalizing a decision on the alternative route;
5. Welcomes the continued suspension of the proposed road projects inside and adjacent to the property, including the construction of the proposed Terai Hulaki Highway, China-India Trade Link of Province 3 (now Bagmati Province) and Province 4 (now Gandaki Province), the Madi-Balmiki Ashram road and the Malekhu-Thori road, as well as upgrading of the section of the Thori-Madi-Bharatpur road located inside the property, and takes note that no decision has been made on the alignments of the proposed roads that would cross the property;
6. Also reiterates its request to the State Party not to approve any road and railway developments passing through the property, as recommended by the 2016 IUCN Reactive Monitoring mission, which would represent a potential danger to the OUV of the property, in accordance with Paragraph 180 of the Operational Guidelines;
7. Also noting the recent approval of the Wildlife Friendly Infrastructure Guidance by the Government of Nepal, also requests the State Party to provide further information regarding the proposed construction of “wildlife friendly infrastructures” inside the property, and to ensure that their potential impacts on the OUV are assessed in line with the Guidance and Toolkit for Impact Assessments in a World Heritage Context, prior to any decision that would be difficult to reverse;
8. Further requests the State Party to submit up-to-date maps of the property as inscribed in 1984 to the World Heritage Centre, as requested by the World Heritage Centre in its letter of October 2020, by 1 December 2023;
9. Encourages the State Party to seek further guidance from the World Heritage Centre and IUCN regarding the process of a boundary modification, and urges again the State Party to submit a boundary modification proposal in accordance with the Operational Guidelines;
10. Continues to note with concern the alleged human rights abuses related to Chitwan National Park raised in 2020, including as raised in the 2022 "Report of the Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples, José Francisco Calí Tzay. Protected areas and indigenous peoples' rights: the obligations of States and international organizations”, requests furthermore the State Party to ensure that any relocation of people and communities from within the property follows a human rights-based approach, and applying international best practices and applicable norms and standards;
11. Requests moreover the State Party to provide a response to the report of the Special Rapporteur by no later than 1 December 2023, and to ensure all park operations are conducted in conformity with a best practice rights-based approach;
12. Finally requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 December 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 47th session.