Decision 47 COM 7B.15

Kaeng Krachan Forest Complex (Thailand)

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Having examined Document WHC/25/47.COM/7B.Add.4,
2. Recalling Decisions 39 COM 8B.5, 40 COM 8B.11, 43 COM 8B.5, 44 COM 8B.7 and 45 COM 7B.88, adopted at its 39th (Bonn, 2015), 40th (Istanbul/UNESCO, 2016), 43rd (Baku, 2019), extended 44th (Fuzhou/online, 2021) and extended 45th (Riyadh, 2023) sessions respectively,
3. Notes with appreciation the reported progress on implementation of the 2022 IUCN Advisory mission recommendations, as outlined in following paragraphs, and requests the State Party to continue towards addressing all recommendations;
4. Welcomes the State Party’s continued commitment to transboundary conservation and the reported proposal to initiate cooperation activities with Myanmar, and continues to encourage the State Party to progress opportunities to collaborate with Myanmar in transboundary conservation and management of the highly significant nature conservation values of the region, with a view to considering a future extension of the property;
5. Notes with appreciation the confirmation that the area located between the property and the Myanmar border remains legally protected as a protected area under national law, and requests the State Party to continue effective protection of this area given its important conservation value, including in terms of connectivity with intact forest areas in Myanmar, to protect the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the property;
6. Recalling its concern regarding the unclear protection status of the Kui Buri Forest Reserve (KBFR) and the Army Reserve Zone, a critically important ecological corridor between the Kui Buri (KBNP) and Kaeng Krachan National Parks (KKNP) within the property, welcomes that efforts are underway to expand KBNP to include part of the KBFR, and requests the State Party to provide clarification on the options for the remaining part of the KBFR, to ensure that reporting and management accurately reflects the KBFR as part of the inscribed property, and to continue efforts towards consolidating the protection status of this area and management system building upon scenarios identified in the nomination dossier, in full consultation with all stakeholders and rightsholders;
7. Takes note that participatory processes are incorporated into policy and management frameworks and implemented through the individual Protected Area Committees (PAC), welcomes the establishment of a PAC for the property (KKFC-PAC), and requests the State Party to continue enhancing participatory management and governance arrangements enabled by the new legislation in place since 2019, including through meaningful participation of local communities;
8. Notes with appreciation that the development of a Management Plan for the property is under discussion, and requests the State Party to finalise it for the entire property, including the KBFR, involving all stakeholders and rightsholders;
9. Welcomes the continued State Party’s focus on engagement with the Karen community in Ban Bang Kloy and the expedited efforts to resolve conflicts and foster peaceful coexistence, including establishment of working groups, and requests the State Party to continue working closely, and in full consultation, with the affected communities to address the longstanding conflicts, following a rights-based approach;
10. Takes note that no authorisation has been granted for the construction of the Nong Ta Dang (Purakam) Dam or Reservoir project within the Mae Nam Phachi Wildlife Sanctuary (MNPWS) and that impact assessment guidelines will be considered should the project proceed and, recalling its utmost concern that the dam is likely to negatively impact on the OUV given that the MNPWS is located adjacent to the property, and in an area initially nominated as part of the property and key for its integrity, and may further amplify the difficult relationship with the local communities, requests the State Party to ensure that potential environmental and social impacts of the project are fully assessed in line with the Guidance and Toolkit for Impact Assessments in a World Heritage Context, including to consider a no-project option, prior to making any decision that would be difficult to reverse;
11. Notes with appreciation the appointment of a working group to establish a buffer zone for the property, and reiterates its request to the State Party to continue its efforts to formalize a buffer zone tailored to the local situation around the property through the Minor Boundary Modification procedure as soon as possible;
12. Notes with appreciation the various other conservation measures and partnerships underway within the property and encourages the State Party to continue such measures;
13. Finally requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 December 2026, 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 49th session.