Manas Wildlife Sanctuary
Factors affecting the property in 1989*
- Civil unrest
- Identity, social cohesion, changes in local population and community
- Illegal activities
- Land conversion
Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports
Construction of a dam (issue resolved)
International Assistance: requests for the property until 1989
Total amount approved : 0 USD
Missions to the property until 1989**
Conservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 1989
The Bureau heard a verbal report from IUCN that this site had been invaded in February 1989 by several hundreds of local Bodo tribes people and this had caused great damage to the park and loss Of life. The Indian authorities had sent in the police to halt further destruction, but the problem of illegal encroachment was still not resolved. The Bureau requested the Secretariat to contact the Indian authorities to express its concern over this situation and encourage taking appropriate measures to restore the site.
Subsequently, IUCN has received reports that at least six but almost certainly more Indian rhinoceros and at least four tigers were killed as a consequence of the disturbances as well as some elephants. A large number of trees have been felled and the habitat of species such as golden langur, hispid hare and pygmy hog put at risk.
IUCN has itself taken initiatives including a letter to the Prime Minister of India and the Chief Minister of Assam expressing concern and also conveying a resolution of IUCN's Species Survival Commission urging restoration of the integrity of the Sanctuary.
At the time of writing, IUCN understands that the Bodo tribe has agreed to end its agitation in favour of a negotiated settlement and there are reports of official action to reinstate management of the occupied areas.
Summary of the interventions
Decisions adopted by the Committee in 1989
13 BUR IV.B.10
Manas Game Sanctuary (India)
The Bureau noted that this site had recently been invaded by several hundreds of local people which had caused great damage to the park and the loss of several lives. The Indian authorities had sent in the police to halt further destruction, but the problem of illegal encroachment was still not resolved. The Bureau requested the Secretariat to contact the Indian authorities to express its concern over this situation and encourage taking appropriate measures to restore the site.
13 COM VIII.16
SOC: Manas Wildlife Sanctuary (India)
Manas Wildlife Sanctuary (India)
IUCN reported on the invasion of this site in February 1989 by the Bodo tribespeople. IUCN reported that it had been consulting with the Indian authorities, and it had been informed that measures were being taken to resolve this problem. The Committee decided to ask the Secretariat to follow up the situation with the Indian authorities.
No draft Decision
India
Exports
* :
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.
