Air and Ténéré Natural Reserves
Factors affecting the property in 2014*
- Civil unrest
- Erosion and siltation/ deposition
- Forestry /wood production
- Identity, social cohesion, changes in local population and community
- Illegal activities
- Livestock farming / grazing of domesticated animals
- Management activities
- Management systems/ management plan
Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports
- Political instability and civil strife;
- Poverty;
- Management constraints;
- Ostrich poaching;
- Soil erosion;
- Demographic pressure;
- Livestock pressure;
- Pressure on forestry resources.
Threats for which the property was inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger
The region having recently suffered from military conflict and civil disturbance, the Government of Niger requested the Director- General of UNESCO to launch an appeal for the protection of the site
Corrective Measures for the property
Adopted, see page https://whc.unesco.org/en/decisions/325
Timeframe for the implementation of the corrective measures
International Assistance: requests for the property until 2014
Total amount approved : 172,322 USD
| 2013 | Mission d'évaluation de la réserve naturelle nationale ... (Approved) | 29,872 USD |
| 2002 | Confection des plaques de commémoration de 2 sites ... (Approved) | 450 USD |
| 2000 | Préparation d’un dossier d'inscription du site de l’Aïr ... (Approved) | 15,000 USD |
| 1999 | Financial support for the implementation of the ... (Approved) | 75,000 USD |
| 1999 |
Action plan for the implementation of Urgent ...
(Approved)
Reapproval: 04 Sep, 2000 (n°1320 - 12,000 USD)
|
12,000 USD |
| 1999 |
Action plan for the implementation of Urgent ...
(Approved)
Reapproval: 01 Mar, 2001 (n°1341 - 20,000 USD)
|
20,000 USD |
| 1999 | National Sensitising Seminar for the Personnel Charged ... (Approved) | 20,000 USD |
Missions to the property until 2014**
May 2005: IUCN Reactive Monitoring mission
Conservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 2014
The State Party submitted a report on the state of conservation of the property on 18 February 2014, available at the following Internet address: https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/573/documents/. The progress achieved on a certain number of conservation problems raised by the Committee at its previous sessions are presented in this report, as follows:
- The conduct of a complete inventory of wildlife is foreseen in May 2014 to confirm and quantify the presence of flagship species, like the white antelope (Addax nasomaculatus), the dama gazelle (Nanger dama) and the Saharan cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus hecki). As the results of this inventory are essential for a reactive monitoring mission to assess the present state of conservation of the property, the IUCN reactive monitoring mission requested by the Committee at its 37th session has been postponed until a later date;
- A manager of the property, based at Iferouane, has been appointed with regard to the gradual establishment of a Management Unit. The physical presence of forestry agents within the property and at its periphery has also been strengthened, including the availability of equipment, in particular motorized vehicles to facilitate anti-poaching activities, as well as control of the exploitation of forestry and archaeological resources. The State Party has provided no information concerning the preparation of a management plan;
- The State Party reaffirms that there is no permit for oil research or exploitation in the property;
- The State Party highlights the efforts carried out in the restoration of land with protection of the plantations of local ligneous species. The first stage of the Co-Management of Natural Resources in the Air and Ténéré (COGERAT) project has been completed, and the second stage of this project is under preparation to continue these actions;
- Demining work is underway, but no details have been provided;
- The impact of climate change on the property requires the implementation of adaptation programmes. However, it is not clear whether such programmes are being prepared.
As with previous reports, the report does not provide information on the implementation of several of the corrective measures.
Furthermore, the State Party indicates that it has received funds from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) for the implementation of the Niger Fauna Corridors Project (NFCP) for the creation of corridors between the three protected areas of the Saharan biome of Niger, including the property.
Analysis and Conclusion by World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies in 2014
The Committee is recommended to welcome the efforts of the State Party to reinforce the physical presence of the forestry agents within the property and the continued efforts in defence and restoration of land. However, there is a lack of information as regards the implementation of some of the corrective measures and the Committee is therefore recommended to request the State Party to continue its efforts to implement the corrective measures and strengthen the management structure of the property, by providing the necessary human, material and financial resources for its efficient operation.
Although concerns linked to insecurity have been reduced, the current conservation problems of poaching and illegal logging still constitute a real threat to the conservation of the property. The measures implemented to curb illegal logging are not clearly referred to in the State Party report. The combat against these illegal activities must be considered as a priority.
The State Party demonstrates a clear willingness regarding the establishment of a more complete wildlife inventory to gather information on the flagship species. It is recommended that the World Heritage Committee reiterate its request to the State Party to invite an IUCN reactive monitoring mission to the property as soon as the results of the afore-mentioned inventory are available, to assess the current state of conservation of the property, and to revise the corrective measures and the timetable for their implementation, in consultation with the State Party. The inventory will also serve as a baseline to prepare an action plan with support from the IUCN Species Survival Commission and other appropriate partners detailing the activities to be implemented for the restoration of the property and integrally recover the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV).
Measure are undertaken to demine the area; it is recommended that the Committee request the State Party to provide more information regarding these efforts, including a precise mapping of the sites being demined.
According to the State Party, no oil research or exploitation permit exist in the property. It is recommended that the Committee maintain the property on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
Summary of the interventions
Decisions adopted by the Committee in 2014
38 COM 7A.45
Aïr and Ténéré Natural Reserves (Niger) (N 573)
The World Heritage Committee,
- Having examined Document WHC-14/38.COM/7A,
- Recalling Decision 37 COM 7A.10, adopted at its 37th session (Phnom Penh, 2013),
- Welcomes the efforts undertaken by the State Party in the areas of defence and land restoration, demining and reinforcement of the physical presence of forestry agents in the property, and requests the State Party to continue its efforts to implement the corrective measures and strengthen the management structure of the property, by providing the necessary human, material and financial resources for its efficient operation;
- Expresses its deep concern regarding the degradation of the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the property linked to the illegal activities such as poaching and abusive logging, and requests the State Party to prioritize the combat against these illegal activities;
- Takes note of the information provided by the State Party according to which an inventory mission is foreseen for 2014 to confirm and quantify the presence of flagship wildlife species (white antelope, dama gazelle and Saharan cheetah) within the property, and reiterates its request to the State Party to invite an IUCN reactive monitoring mission to the property as soon as the results of this inventory are available, to assess its state of conservation, update the corrective measures and establish a timetable for their implementation, and to develop a proposal for the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger;
- Also requests the State Party to provide more information together with maps concerning the demining activities within the property;
- Also takes note of information provided by the State Party concerning the absence of extraction activities in and on the periphery of the property and further requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2015 a detailed report, including a 1-page executive summary on the state of conservation of the property and the implementation of the above-mentioned points, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 39th session in 2015;
- Decides to retain the Air and Ténéré Natural Reserves (Niger) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
38 COM 8C.2
Update of the List of World Heritage in Danger (retained sites)
The World Heritage Committee,
- Having examined the state of conservation reports of properties inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger (WHC-14/38.COM/7A and WHC-14/38.COM/7A.Add),
- Decides to retain the following properties on the List of World Heritage in Danger:
- Afghanistan, Minaret and Archaeological Remains of Jam (Decision 38 COM 7A.14)
- Afghanistan, Cultural Landscape and Archaeological Remains of the Bamiyan Valley (Decision 38 COM 7A.15)
- Belize, Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System (Decision 38 COM 7A.31)
- Central African Republic, Manovo-Gounda St Floris National Park (Decision 38 COM 7A.34)
- Chile, Humberstone and Santa Laura Saltpeter Works (Decision 38 COM 7A.21)
- Colombia, Los Katíos National Park (Decision 38 COM 7A.32)
- Côte d'Ivoire, Comoé National Park (Decision 38 COM 7A.35)
- Côte d'Ivoire / Guinea, Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve (Decision 38 COM 7A.36)
- Democratic Republic of the Congo, Virunga National Park (Decision 38 COM 7A.37)
- Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kahuzi-Biega National Park (Decision 38 COM 7A.38)
- Democratic Republic of the Congo, Garamba National Park (Decision 38 COM 7A.39)
- Democratic Republic of the Congo, Salonga National Park (Decision 38 COM 7A.40)
- Democratic Republic of the Congo, Okapi Wildlife Reserve (Decision 38 COM 7A.41)
- Egypt, Abu Mena (Decision 38 COM 7A.1)
- Ethiopia, Simien National Park (Decision 38 COM 7A.43)
- Georgia, Bagrati Cathedral and Gelati Monastery (Decision 38 COM 7A.16)
- Georgia, Historical Monuments of Mtskheta (Decision 38 COM 7A.17)
- Honduras, Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve (Decision 38 COM 7A.33)
- Indonesia, Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra (Decision 38 COM 7A.28)
- Iraq, Ashur (Qal'at Sherqat) (Decision 38 COM 7A.2)
- Iraq, Samarra Archaeological City (Decision 38 COM 7A.3)
- Jerusalem, Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls (Decision 38 COM 7A.4)
- Madagascar, Rainforests of the Atsinanana (Decision 38 COM 7A.44)
- Mali, Timbuktu (Decision 38 COM 7A.24)
- Mali, Tomb of Askia (Decision 38 COM 7A.25)
- Niger, Air and Ténéré Natural Reserves (Decision 38 COM 7A.45)
- Palestine, Birthplace of Jesus: Church of the Nativity and the Pilgrimage Route, Bethlehem (Decision 38 COM 7A.5)
- Panama, Fortifications on the Caribbean Side of Panama: Portobelo-San Lorenzo (Decision 38 COM 7A.20)
- Peru, Chan Chan Archaelogical Zone (Decision 38 COM 7A.22)
- Senegal, Niokolo-Koba National Park (Decision 38 COM 7A.46)
- Serbia, Medieval Monuments in Kosovo (Decision 38 COM 7A.18)
- Solomon Islands, East Rennell (Decision 38 COM 7A.29)
- Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient City of Damascus (Decision 38 COM 7A.12)
- Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient City of Bosra (Decision 38 COM 7A.12)
- Syrian Arab Republic, Site of Palmyra (Decision 38 COM 7A.12)
- Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient City of Aleppo (Decision 38 COM 7A.12)
- Syrian Arab Republic, Crac des Chevaliers and Qal’at Salah El-Din (Decision 38 COM 7A.12)
- Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient Villages of Northern Syria (Decision 38 COM 7A.12)
- Uganda, Tombs of Buganda Kings at Kasubi (Decision 38 COM 7A.26)
- United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Liverpool – Maritime Mercantile City (Decision 38 COM 7A.19)
- United States of America, Everglades National Park (Decision 38 COM 7A.30)
- Venezuela, Coro and its Port (Decision 38 COM 7A.23)
- Yemen, Historic Town of Zabid (Decision 38 COM 7A.13)
Draft Decision: 38 COM 7A.45
The World Heritage Committee,
1. Having examined Document WHC-14/38.COM/7A,
2. Recalling Decision 37 COM 7A.10, adopted at its 37th session (Phnom Penh, 2013),
3. Welcomes the efforts undertaken by the State Party in the areas of defence and land restoration, demining and reinforcement of the physical presence of forestry agents in the property, and requests the State Party to continue its efforts to implement the corrective measures and strengthen the management structure of the property, by providing the necessary human, material and financial resources for its efficient operation;
4. Expresses its deep concern regarding the degradation of the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the property linked to the illegal activities such as poaching and abusive logging, and requests the State Party to prioritize the combat against these illegal activities;
5. Takes note of the information provided by the State Party according to which an inventory mission is foreseen for 2014 to confirm and quantify the presence of flagship wildlife species (white antelope, dama gazelle and Saharan cheetah) within the property, and reiterates its request to the State Party to invite an IUCN reactive monitoring mission to the property as soon as the results of this inventory are available, to assess its state of conservation, update the corrective measures and establish a timetable for their implementation, and to develop a proposal for the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger;
6. Also requests the State Party to provide more information together with maps concerning the demining activities within the property;
7. Also takes note of information provided by the State Party concerning the absence of extraction activities in and on the periphery of the property and further requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2015 a detailed report, including a 1-page executive summary on the state of conservation of the property and the implementation of the above-mentioned points, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 39th session in 2015;
8. Decides to retain the Air and Ténéré Natural Reserves (Niger) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
Niger
Documents examined by the Committee
38COM (2014)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.
