Volcanoes of Kamchatka
Factors affecting the property in 2006*
- Fire (widlfires)
- Ground transport infrastructure
- Illegal activities
- Major linear utilities
- Management systems/ management plan
- Mining
- Renewable energy facilities
Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports
a) Illegal salmon fishing;
b) Gold mining;
c) Gas pipeline;
d) Development of a geothermal power station;
e) Forest fires;
f) Boundary changes;
g) Construction of the Esso-Palana road.
International Assistance: requests for the property until 2006
Total amount approved : 0 USD
Missions to the property until 2006**
IUCN fact-finding mission 1997; UNESCO/IUCN mission 2004.
Conservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 2006
The State Party provided a report to the World Heritage Centre on 1 February 2006 which appears to repeat verbatim the report submitted on 27 January 2005.
Consequently, IUCN and the Centre reiterate the concerns and recommendations made to the 29th session of the World Heritage Committee and recommend that the Committee requests an update on the issues previously raised and on how they are being addressed.
The State Party urgently needs to address a number of other areas highlighted by the 2004 UNESCO/IUCN mission. These include: improvements in staffing levels; tourism planning and development; overall access planning for the property including issues in relation to the Esso-Palana Road; management planning including the completion of management plans for the remaining two protected areas comprising the World Heritage Property (Klyuchevskoy in 2005 and South Kamchatka 2005/6); and improved interagency cooperation on timber and logging concessions in the property.
Further, it is recommended that the State Party respond to the specific recommendations of the 2004 UNESCO/IUCN mission on the growing and challenging problem of salmon poaching within the peninsula. Poaching occurs both within and outside of the property and impacts the ecological processes for salmon on the peninsula as a whole. IUCN has received reports of increased levels of poaching in all Kamchatka’s rivers in 2005. The State Party should consider reviewing quota allocation systems to ensure that local communities receive adequate and equitable access to natural resources thereby reducing the need for them to turn to poaching to supplement livelihoods. The State Party should facilitate improved cooperation between the various regional and national authorities responsible for hunting concessions, World Heritage property management and the control of poaching.
Regarding mining, the State Party should elaborate on efforts taken to improve collaboration between the Aginskoye mine and the park authorities and ensure that the mine operates according to best mining practice and latest technology.
Given the potential of the gas pipeline development to significantly disrupt salmon spawning on rivers flowing from the property to the sea and to open up areas to increased poaching, an update on construction and measures taken to mitigate the environmental impacts of the project is requested. Furthermore, an update needs to be given that elaborates on the impact of forest fires on the property reiterating the call for research to better understand natural fire patterns in the property. Based on this research more detailed fire management planning should be undertaken to manage natural and human induced fire in the World Heritage property.
Summary of the interventions
Decisions adopted by the Committee in 2006
30 COM 7B.25
State of Conservation (Volcanoes of Kamchatka)
The World Heritage Committee,
1. Having examined Document WHC-06/30.COM/7B,
2. Recalling Decision 29 COM 7B.20, adopted at its 29th session (Durban, 2005),
3. Notes with concern that the State Party report, received on 1 February 2006, repeats the report of 27 January 2005;
4. Regrets that the State Party has failed to report the most recent information on the issues raised at the 29th session of the Committee or to respond to any of its decisions;
5. Requests the State Party to invite a joint UNESCO/IUCN mission to assess the state of conservation and the factors affecting the Outstanding Universal Value of the property;
6. Requests the State Party to respond as soon as possible and provide a detailed report addressing all issues indicated by the Committee at its 29th session, by 15 March 2007 for examination by the Committee at its 31st session in 2007.
Draft Decision: 30 COM 7B.25
The World Heritage Committee,
1. Having examined Document WHC-06/30.COM/7B,
2. Recalling Decision 29 COM 7B.20, adopted at its 29th session (Durban, 2005),
3. Notes with concern that the State Party report, received on 1 February 2006, repeats verbatim the report of 27 January 2005;
4. Regrets that the State Party has failed to report any update on the issues raised at the 29th session of the Committee or to respond to any of its decisions;
5. Requests the State Party to respond as soon as possible and provide a detailed report addressing all issues indicated by 1 February 2007 for examination by the Committee at its 31st session in 2007.
Russian FederationExports
* :
The threats indicated are listed in alphabetical order; their order does not constitute a classification according to the importance of their impact on the property.
Furthermore, they are presented irrespective of the type of threat faced by the property, i.e. with specific and proven imminent danger (“ascertained danger”) or with threats which could have deleterious effects on the property’s Outstanding Universal Value (“potential danger”).
** : All mission reports are not always available electronically.
