Decision 45 COM 7B.77

Mana Pools National Park, Sapi and Chewore Safari Areas (Zimbabwe) (N 302)

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Having examined Document WHC/23/45.COM/7B.Add,
2. Recalling Decisions 38 COM 7B.97, 40 COM 7B.84 and 44 COM 7B.178 adopted at its 38th (Doha, 2014), 40th (Istanbul/UNESCO, 2016) and extended 44th (Fuzhou/online, 2021) sessions respectively,
3. Welcomes the continued strengthening of anti-poaching measures, including joint operations with the State Party of Zambia, and with support from technical and financial partners;
4. Appreciates the collaboration between the States Parties of Zambia and Zimbabwe to strengthen transboundary conservation and encourages again the States Parties to finalize the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the establishment of the Lower Zambezi-Mana Pools National Parks Trans-Frontier Conservation Area (TFCA);
5. Welcomes the gradual decline in elephant poaching following the strengthening of anti-poaching measures, and noting that some elephants are crossing the Zambezi River into Zambia, requests the State Party to ensure a coordinated approach with the State Party of Zambia for the effective transboundary protection and management of elephants;
6. Regrets that no update has been provided on the status of other key species that constitute the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the property and also requests the State Party to continue surveys and to submit the results to the World Heritage Centre once available;
7. Acknowledges the progress made towards the finalization of the General Management Plan and reiterates its request to the State Party to finalize and submit it to the World Heritage Centre;
8. Noting the continued suspension of commercial hunting in the Sapi Safari Area and the northern part of Chewore Safari Area, but recalling that the State Party previously also reported that the suspension applied to the area referred to as the buffer zone, also reiterates its request to the State Party to clarify the status of this area, which has not yet been formally adopted by the Committee;
9. Also notes the translocation of 101 elephants to the Sapi Safari Area to increase the population, and further requests the State Party to ensure anti-poaching efforts are sustained or enhanced and continue to be monitored, and that any potential future translocation projects are undertaken in accordance with international best practice including in line with the IUCN guidelines on translocations, to ensure a prior assessment of the suitability and risks before implementation;
10. While noting that no uncontrolled tourism development has taken place within the property, requests furthermore the State Party ensure that any activity that may have the potential to impact on the OUV of the property, including all proposed tourism infrastructure be subject to an impact assessment in accordance with the Guidance and Toolkit for Impact Assessments in a World Heritage Context, prior to taking any decision that is difficult to reverse;
11. Notes with significant concern the report that the State Party of Zambia has approved an open cast copper mine in the Lower Zambezi National Park (LZNP) without due consideration of the potential impact on the OUV of the property, reiterates again its concern regarding the potential serious impact of this project on the OUV and urges once again the State Party of Zambia not to proceed with the project;
12. Notes with concern the reported strong possibility that several copper and gold mining operations will be developed in LZNP and Chiawa Game Management Area (CGMA), which adjoin the property separated only by the Zambezi River, and requests with urgency that the State Party of Zambia to provide details of all proposed mining projects in LZNP and CGMA, and to ensure that any potential impacts on the OUV are assessed in line with the Guidance and Toolkit for Impact Assessments in a World Heritage Context, prior to taking any decision that would be difficult to reverse;
13. 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.