Selous Game Reserve

a) Proposed cattle driving route;

b) Poaching

In February 2006, the World Heritage Centre and IUCN were informed of the deterioration of the Selous Game Reserve since the end of the German Government (GTZ) assistance programme in 2003. This is in contrast to the considerable improvements in the management of the property during the GTZ funded Selous Conservation Programme (1987 to 2003).

The information received provides details on a number of recent problems/trends: the management plan developed with assistance from GTZ has not been formally approved and is not being implemented; the income retention scheme (allowing for 50% of commercial hunting income to be retained for reserve management) that had underpinned the rehabilitation of the property has been significantly reduced by the government since the end of the GTZ project; recent increases in elephant poaching allegedly involving government officials; prospecting licenses have been granted by the Government to explore for precious stones inside the property; lack of implementation of the recently approved Tanzanian Wildlife Policy designed to involve local communities in the conservation and utilization of wildlife resources in the property and its buffer zones; and plans for a large dam across the Ruvu River to supply the city of Dar-Es-Salaam with water, which would result in the flooding of parts of the property.

On 2 March 2006, the World Heritage Centre wrote to the State Party requesting information on these issues. At the time of writing this report no response had been received from the State Party. The World Heritage Centre also notes that no reply has been received from the State Party to an earlier letter dated 31 March 2004 requesting information on reports received previously concerning allegedly granted licences for mineral exploration in the property.

The World Heritage Centre and IUCN note with great concern the recent deterioration in the management of the property and the reduction in financial resources available to the management authority. The rapid reversal of the improved conservation status achieved during the long-term GTZ supported Selous Conservation Programme is alarming and the World Heritage Centre and IUCN consider it important for the State Party to enhance its political and financial support as to ensure the integrity of the World Heritage property.

The World Heritage Centre and IUCN further note that the financial resources available to manage the property have declined significantly in recent years and recommend the State Party to seek independent financial advice on the management of the income from commercial hunting activities in the World Heritage property.

Considering the lack of a State Party response to previous requests for information on the multiple threats allegedly affecting the Selous Game Reserve, the World Heritage Centre and IUCN believe that a joint UNESCO/IUCN mission is required to assess the state of conservation of the property, in particular the implementation of the management plan and EIAs as well as the impacts of poaching, prospecting and mining activities.