Decision 45 COM 7B.82

Keoladeo National Park (India) (N 340)

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Having examined Document WHC/23/45.COM/7B,
2. Recalling Decision 44 COM 7B.92 adopted at its extended 44th session (Fuzhou/online, 2021).
3. Notes the State Party’s continued efforts towards securing sufficient adequate water supply to the property, however reiterates its utmost concern that water supply in most years remains below the minimum level considered necessary for the ecological functioning of the property;
4. Regrets that the State Party did not submit the revised Management Plan to the World Heritage Centre for review by IUCN prior to its finalization and approval as requested by the Committee, and takes note that the 2017-2027 Management Plan has been completed and was provided to the 2023 IUCN Reactive Monitoring mission;
5. Welcomes the State Party’s continued efforts to address invasive alien species within the property, including priorities in the revised 2017-2027 Management Plan and a dedicated budget;
6. Also requests the State Party to implement the 2023 mission recommendations, including to:
   1. Develop a clear list of attributes that convey the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) to inform the long-term monitoring, protection and management of the property,
   2. Secure a long-term strategic solution to water supply, including by rapidly assessing the following to inform management priorities:
      1. Clarify water requirements for the property,
      2. Consider water quality from different sources,
      3. Ensure water release so that sufficient water reaches the property,
      4. Clarify hydrological processes related to the property,
      5. Ensure no water is supplied from sewage treatment plants unless there is clear research evidence that the hydrological integrity of the property and its OUV will not be compromised.
   3. Ensure the current status of the Siberian Crane is accurately reflected in the monitoring and management of the property,
   4. Establish a scientifically-based monitoring programme based on the attributes that convey the OUV to inform management of the property, as follows:
      1. Review existing information as fully and analytically as possible,
      2. Design a scientifically sound monitoring, analysis and reporting programme,
      3. Consideration should be given to a wider ecological monitoring programme that would monitor ecosystem health, especially of the wetland,
   5. Establish a long-term adaptive management strategy for invasive species,
   6. Review the 2017-2027 Management Plan with an explicit focus on the management of the OUV of the property,
   7. Ensure management planning and decision-making is focused specifically on the OUV of the property, including that planned activities explicitly and transparently contribute to its protection and management. In the short-term, reconsider whether the planned establishment of an ex-situ management programme for four species of mammal would be appropriate and the best use of resources given other urgent management priorities in the context of the OUV;
7. Takes note that the development of a Zonal Master Plan for the Eco-Sensitive Zone around the property remains underway, and again encourages the State Party to consider formalizing the Eco-Sensitive Zone as a World Heritage buffer zone by submitting a proposal for a minor boundary modification, in accordance with Paragraph 164 of the Operational Guidelines;
8. Also takes note that the disposal of cattle carcasses near the property has been resolved;
9. 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.