Kaziranga National Park
Factors affecting the property in 1997*
- Flooding
- Illegal activities
- Society's valuing of heritage
International Assistance: requests for the property until 1997
Total amount approved : 50,000 USD
| 1997 | Support to Strengthening Protection of Kaziranga ... (Approved) | 50,000 USD |
Missions to the property until 1997**
Information presented to the Bureau of the World Heritage Committee in 1997
A member of the Centre joined the Deputy Inspector General for Wildlife for India, during 23-25 January 1997, on a mission to Kaziranga National Park, immediately after the completion of the monitoring mission to Manas Wildlife Sanctuary, since both these World Heritage Sites are situated within the Indian State of Assam. A status report on Kaziranga National Park was made available to the Centre by the Assam Forest Department whose salient findings are summarized below.
The Kaziranga National Park was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1985, under criteria (ii) and (iv). The Park is well known for its success in conserving the greater one-horned rhinoceros, whose population within the Park has grown from 366 in 1966 to about 1,200 at present. The success of rhino conservation in Kaziranga is primarily attributed to a dedicated staff who regularly patrol Park boundaries using minimal equipment, and unsophisticated arms and ammunition compared to those used by commercial poaching gangs. Statistics gathered since 1980, show that an average of 26 rhinos are poached every year; twice this number, i.e. 52, however die due to natural causes, most of them drowning in the annual floods of the Brahmaputra River.
The staff is stationed in 115 camps throughout the Park. Nevertheless, since the early 1990s, encounters with poachers are continuously on the rise due to the escalating international market prices for the rhino-horn and incentives for trade liberalization that appear to impact even the remotest parts of South Asia. The management of the Kaziranga National Park is planning to increase investments in order to double the number of camps, to build upland refuges where rhinos and other species could seek shelter during the annual floods and to launch educational and awareness raising campaigns among local villagers. Six new additions to the Park area, totaling more than 400 square kms are planned. While the increased level of investments needed in the future will be largely met by the Government of India and the State Government of Assam, the Park authorities have become aware of their eligibility to seek assistance from the World Heritage Fund. A technical cooperation request for meeting part of the costs associated with the construction of anti-poaching camps and upland shelters for the flooding season, and for launching environmental and educational campaigns among local villagers may be submitted to the consideration of the Committee in 1997.
Action Required
The Bureau commends the dedication of Kaziranga staff in controlling poaching of the greater one-horned rhinoceros and urges the Park management to pursue their plans to enlarge the area of the Park, further strengthen anti-poaching and other measures to safeguard wildlife populations, and raise awareness among local villagers of the importance of the World Heritage status of Kaziranga.
Summary of the interventions
Decisions adopted by the Committee in 1997
21 BUR IV.B.21
Kaziranga National Park (India)
The Bureau noted that a member of the Centre joined the Deputy Inspector General for Wildlife for India, during 24-25 January 1997, on a mission to Kaziranga National Park, in the State of Assam, India. The Bureau learnt with satisfaction Kaziranga's success in conserving the great one-horned rhinoceros, whose population within the Park has grown from 366 in 1966 to about 1,200 at present. However, every year about 26 rhinos are poached and an additional 52 die due to natural causes, most of them drowning in the annual floods of the Brahmaputra River.
The Bureau encouraged the management of Kaziranga to proceed with their plans to add six adjacent patches totalling more than 400 sq.km. to the Park, increase the number of anti-poaching camps along the periphery of the Park, build upland refuges for animals to retreat during the annual flooding of the Brahmaputra River and launch conservation awareness and environmental education programmes for local villagers. Furthermore, the Bureau noted that the Indian authorities have submitted a request for financial assistance to support the implementation of parts of the above-mentioned activities and that the Bureau will consider the request under Agenda Item 6 (Requests for international assistance).
21 EXT.BUR V.3
Requests for International Assistance
NATURAL HERITAGE
TRAINING
Cameroon (Sub regional workshop on strengthening biodiversity conservation at the Dja Faunal Reserve) - US$ 29,900
The Bureau approved an amount of US$ 29,900.
The Bureau requested the State Party to cooperate with IUCN and the World Heritage Centre to:
(i) revise the workshop programme to include themes and issues identified in the state of conservation report on Dja;
(ii) indicate the amount of national contribution provided by the State Party;
(iii) schedule the workshop at a time to allow for better planning; and
(iv) invite the participation of bilateral donors who are financing commercial and sustainable forestry projects in the forests surrounding the site.
Philippines (Training of a core-group of personnel on human scientific dimensions of managing Tubataha Reef as a natural World Heritage site) - US$ 30,000
The Bureau approved an amount of US$ 30,000.
Russian Federation (Training workshop for natural heritage site managers from Central and Eastern Europe and Russian Central Asia) - US$ 30,000
The Bureau decided to defer the consideration of this request as the workshop had been delayed until the summer of 1999.
The Bureau requested the State Party to cooperate with the World Heritage Centre to submit a revised proposal for consideration at the Bureau's 22nd ordinary session.
Tanzania (Support for 3 fellowships for African specialists in Protected Area/Wildlife Management to the Mweka College of African Wildlife Management for the Academic Year of 1998/99) - US$ 30,000
The Bureau approved an amount of US$ 30,000.
The Bureau urged IUCN and the World Heritage Centre to cooperate with Mweka and other regional training centres to review their curricula and propose measures for enhancing use of information for World Heritage site management.
India (Meeting of regional training centres and university training institutes for curricula and training materials development, Wildlife Institute of India) - US$ 41,000
The Bureau recommended that the Committee approve a sum of US$ 30,000.
The Bureau requested the State Party to consider bearing the costs of the participation of Indian natural World Heritage site managers and specialists.
TECHNICAL COOPERATION
Dominica (Revision of the Management Plan for Morne Trois Pitons National Park) - US$ 13,900
For approval by the Chairperson, subject to the inscription of this site on the World Heritage List by the Committee at its twenty-first session, and payment of dues by the State Party to the World Heritage Fund.
The Bureau encourages the State Party to use national expertise for revising the management plan.
Niger (Purchase of Equipment for W National Park) - US$ 75,000
The Bureau recommended that the Committee approve a sum of US$ 50,000 and request the World Heritage Centre, UNESCO's equipment unit and the State Party to purchase the needed equipment through competitive bidding and in the most cost-effective manner.
The Bureau suggested that the Committee decide that the funds should not be used for maintenance of vehicles and request the State Party to co-operate with the World Heritage Centre for submitting a progress report on project implementation, to enable the Bureau, at its 22nd ordinary session, to determine whether additional funds are needed.
India (Strengthening Protection of Kaziranga National Park) - US$ 50,000
The Bureau took note of its recommendation made at its 21st ordinary session to the Committee, that the Committee approve this request.
EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE
India (Contribution towards the implementation of an Emergency rehabilitation plan for Manas Wildlife Sanctuary) - US$ 160,000
The Bureau recommended that the Committee approves a supplementary allocation of US$ 90,000 for emergency assistance to cover: purchase of an additional 2 wooden fiber boats (US$ 50,000) and 400 patrolling gears (US$ 15,000), and contribution towards the construction of buildings within the site (US$ 70,000).
Democratic Republic of the Congo (Purchase of vehicles for 4 World Heritage Sites) - US$ 88,400
The Bureau, while fully recognising the need for vehicles for each of the four sites, expressed concerns over the current security situation in the eastern parts of the country and its impact on safe delivery, propser unse and maintenance of the vehicles.
Hence, the Bureau recommended that the Committee, as a first step, approves a sum of US$ 45,000 for 2 vehicles (of the US$ 90,000 requested for 4 vehicles) for any two of the four sites under consideration and request the State Party to cooperate with the World Heritage Centre to submit a progress report on project implementation to the Bureau's 22nd session.
In addition, the Bureau suggested that the Committee request the World Heritage Centre to cooperate with conservation NGOs to ensure the safe delivery and proper use and maintenance of the vehicles.
CULTURAL HERITAGE
TRAINING
Laos (Training programme for the Historic Town of Luang Prabang) - US$ 25,000
The Bureau approved an amount of US$ 25,000.
Philippines (Training to enhance the management of the Baroque Churches) - US$ 22,000
The Bureau approved an amount of US$ 22,000.
Russian Federation (Training workshop for staff and specialists in the fields of designation, protection, management and rehabilitation of Cultural World Heritage Sites in Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia) - US$ 29,800
The Bureau did not approve this request. Detailed information on the use of the funds had not been provided by the State Party.
The Bureau decided that it will not consider any International Assistance requests submitted by States Parties without a detailed budget breakdown in the future.
Austria (Training Course for the examination and Conservation of Architectural Surfaces) - US$ 35,000
Transmitted directly to the Committee.
Brazil (Inter-regional postgraduate course on the conservation of Monuments and Rehabilitation of Historic Cities) - US$ 50,000
Transmitted directly to the Committee.
Ghana (Ashanti Traditional Buildings) - US$ 47,000
Transmitted directly to the Committee.
ICCROM (Development of a training strategy and procedural framework) - US$ 50,000
Transmitted directly to the Committee.
TECHNICAL COOPERATION
China (Research project for the protection of the Terracotta Warriors and Horse Pits of the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor) - US$ 30,000
Chinese authorities will provide further information concerning this request. Therefore, the Bureau decided to consider this request at its twenty-second session.
Nepal (Studies on traditional architecture, construction and conservation technique, documenting Bhaktapur Monument zone building) - US$ 28,000
The Bureau approved this request on the condition that the State Party pays its contributions to the World Heritage Fund for 1997.
Furthermore, the Bureau requested the State Party to submit the results of this activity to the Bureau and stressed the importance of documentation for protecting World Heritage sites.
ICCROM (Technical Assistance Programme - TAP) - US$ 25,000
The Bureau approved an amount of US$ 25,000.
Vietnam (Revision of urban planning regulations of the Complex of Hué) - US$ 35,000
Transmitted directly to the Committee.
Zimbabwe (Preparation for a conservation plan for Khami Ruins National Monuments) - US$ 76,900
Transmitted directly to the Committee.
Mexico (Special course on the World Heritage Convention for Latin America and the Carribean) - US$ 30,000
The Bureau took note of its recommendation made at its 21st ordinary session to the Committee.
21 BUR VI
Requests for international assistance
The Bureau examined Documents WHC-97/CONF. 204/4 and WHC-97/CONF.204/4.Add and made the following decisions:
NATURAL HERITAGE
Technical Co-operation:
Request approved by the Bureau:
International expert meeting on "World Heritage Convention as an International Instrument for Biodiversity Conservation in Tropical Forests", Brastagi, North Sumatra, Indonesia (March, 1998)
The Bureau approved an amount of US$ 30,000 for the above meeting and requested IUCN and the Centre to ensure that scientific information used in the preparation of, and discussions during the meeting, is used to deliver products that are directly beneficial to the operations of the World Heritage Convention.
Request recommended by the Bureau for approval by the Committee:
Support to Strengthening Protection of Kaziranga National Park (India)
The Bureau recommended that the Committee at its twenty-first session scheduled to convene from 1 to 6 December 1997 in Naples, Italy, approve a sum of US$ 50,000 as a contribution for 1997-98, to enable the construction of 10 guard posts (US$ 25,000) and 5 highland shelters (US$ 21,000) and the purchase of audio-visual equipment for the Interpretation Centre at Kohora (US$ 4,000).
Emergency Assistance:
Request approved by the Bureau:
Contribution to the implementation of an Emergency Rehabilitation Plan for Manas Wildlife Sanctuary (India)
The Bureau approved a sum of US$ 75,000 for enabling the purchase of 3 vehicles (US$ 30,000), 55 wireless communication sets (US$ 40,000) and 2 boats (US$ 5,000) for Manas Wildlife Sanctuary, a site included in the List of World Heritage in Danger since 1992.
The Bureau recommended that the Committee, at its twenty-first session scheduled to be convened in Naples, Italy, during 1-6 December 1997, review progress on the use of the US$ 75,000 approved by the Bureau and consider approving additional amounts of the total sum of US$ 235,000 requested by the Indian authorities as emergency assistance from the World Heritage Fund.
The Bureau requested that the Centre ensure that the counterpart contribution of US$ 1,185,000 expected to be provided, over a 2-3 year period, jointly by the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MOEF) of the Government of India (GOI) and the State of Government of Assam (SGA) are provided and used as described in the international assistance request for emergency assistance submitted by India.
Training:
Request not approved by the Bureau
Request for financial assistance (US$ 30,000) for training of an individual specialist from Ecuador in Masters in Natural Resources Administration at the Business Administration Central American Institute (INCAE), Costa Rica
The Bureau concluded that the training of a specialist over a 10-month period for a Masters programme did not conform with the "short-term refresher programmes and exchanges of experience" permitted for training individuals under paragraph 95 of the Operational Guidelines.
Hence, the Bureau decided not to approve this request.
CULTURAL HERITAGE
Requests approved by the Bureau
Visitors’ Centre at Paphos, Cyprus (US$ 23,267)
The Bureau approved a sum of US$ 12,187, recommended by the World heritage Centre, of the US$ 23,267 requested by the State Party for a mission of two international experts to design the exhibition display of the Visitors’ Centre of the site.
The Bureau, however, noted that the amount of $ 12,187 for the experts’ mission was deemed too high and requested the Secretariat to apply the consultant rates conforming to those of UNESCO.
The Bureau, furthermore, agreed to the recommendation of ICOMOS that the State Party submit a separate request for the procurement of exhibition materials upon the identification of the needs and costs for the exhibition cases and the interior design by the expert mission.
Symposium on the Preservation of Contemporary Heritage: Case of Brasilia (Brazil) (US$ 30,000)
The Bureau approved the amount of US$ 30,000 requested by Brazil, on the condition that the State Party submits for the Chairperson’s approval, a more detailed description and budget breakdown of the activities to be financed by a contribution from the World Heritage Fund.
The Bureau supported the goals of this symposium, aimed at reviewing the experience acquired by the institutions involved in the preservation and management of Brasilia and to discuss and establish new general urban directives for the efficient preservation of Brasilia's heritage.
Preparation of a Replica of the Hieroglyphic Stairway of the Maya Site of Copan (Honduras) (US$ 29,613)
The Bureau approved US$ 29,613 requested by the State Party for the preparation of the replica before further deterioration of the Hieroglyphic Stairway.
Request recommended by the Bureau for approval by the Committee
Special Course on the World Heritage Convention (Mexico) (US$ 30,000)
In view of the recommendations of ICOMOS, IUCN and ICCROM, and upon considering paragraph 106(b) of the Operational Guidelines which states that requests from members of the Bureau can only be decided by the Committee, the Bureau recommended approval by the Committee of the requested amount of US$ 30,000.
The Bureau, however, agreed to the suggestions of ICCROM to place this special course within the context of the regional training strategy adopted by the Committee, and to IUCN’s recommendation to ensure a balanced participation of natural and cultural heritage experts, and better define the target audience of the course.
Requests for carry-over in 1997 from the Reserve Fund for prior-year Approvals
Joya de Ceren Archaeological Site (El Salvador)
The Bureau agreed that the balance of US$ 14,750 of a technical cooperation activity for Joya de Ceren (US$ 25,000) approved by the Committee in 1994 be charged against the Reserve Fund in order to enable the implementation of the international seminar at the site from 7 to 11 July 1997.
Exhibition on "From Abu-Simbel to Angkor"
The Bureau agreed to charging the unobligated balance of US$ 39,741 against the Reserve Fund.
21 COM X.1-2
Requests for International Assistance
X.1 The Committee examined International Assistance requests submitted by States Parties and advisory bodies presented in Working Document WHC-97/CONF.208/12Rev. In accordance with paragraphs 91-117 of the Operational Guidelines, the Committee took decisions concerning International Assistance requests for natural and cultural heritage above US$ 30,000.
X.2 The Committee's decisions and comments concerning International Assistance requests for natural and cultural heritage have been summarized in the following tables.
NATURAL HERITAGE
|
1. Training | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
India |
Meeting of Regional Training Centres and Selected Academic/ Training Institutions for Curricula and Training Materials Development, Wildlife Institute of India |
41,000. |
30,000. |
The Committee requested the State Party to consider bearing the costs of the participation of Indian natural World Heritage site managers and specialists. |
|
Sub-total: Training |
41,000. |
30,000. |
||
| 2. Technical Co-operation | ||||
|
India |
Strengthening Protection of the Kaziranga National Park |
50,000. |
50,000. |
The Committee approved an amount of US$ 50,000. for this project for 1998 to enable the construction of 10 guard camps (US$ 25,000.) 5 highland wildlife shelters (US$ 21,000.) and audio-visual equipment for the Park interpretation Centre at Kohara (US$ 4,000.). With reference to Article 22(d) of the Conven- tion, the Delegate of Thailand disassociated himself from this decision. |
|
Niger |
Purchase of equipment for W National Park |
75,000. |
50,000. |
After discussion of an intervention by the Delegate of Thailand, whether Article 22(d) of the Convention would exclude the construction of houses and guard posts, the Committee requested the World Heritage Centre, UNESCO equipment unit and the State Party to purchase the equipment through competitive bidding and in the most cost effective manner. The Committee decided that the funds should not be used for construction purposes and maintenance of vehicles and requested the State Party to co-operate with the Centre and to submit to the 22nd session of the Bureau, a progress report on project implementation. |
|
Sub-total: Technical Co-operation |
125,000. |
100,000. |
||
| 3. Emergency Assistance | ||||
|
Democratic Republic of Congo |
Purchase of Vehicles for four World Heritage Sites |
88,400. |
45,000. |
The Committee approved, as a first step, US$ 45,000. for 2 vehicles for any 2 of the 4 sites under consideration and requested the State Party to co-operate with the World Heritage Centre to submit a progress report on project implementation to the Bureau's 22nd session. In addition, the Committee requested the World Heritage Centre to co-operate with conservation NGO's to ensure the safe delivery and proper use and maintenance of the vehicles. |
|
India |
Contribution towards the Implementation of an Emergency Rehabilitation Plan for Manas Wildlife Sanctuary |
160,000. |
90,000. |
The Committee approved a sum of of US$ 90,000. to cover the cost of 2 wooden fibre boats (US$ 5,000.), purchase of 400 patrolling gear (US$ 15,000.) and construction of buildings within the site (US$ 70,000.) With reference to Article 22(d) of the Convention, the Delegate of Thailand disassociated himself from this decision. |
|
Sub-total: Emergency |
248,400. |
135,000. |
||
|
Total: Natural Heritage |
414,400. |
265,000. | ||
CULTURAL HERITAGE
| 1. Training | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Austria |
Training course for the Examination and Conservation of Architectural Surfaces |
35,000. |
35,000. |
A Delegate questioned whether or not requests from developed countries should be submitted, considering the limited resources of the World Heritage Fund. He furthermore, requested that participants for this course should include those from the developing countries. ICCROM clarified that this training activity would mostly address participants from Central and Eastern Europe, where conservation of architectural surfaces is particularly necessary, but where the countries faced difficulties in addressing this issue. |
|
Brazil |
Inter-regional Postgraduate Course in the Conservation of Monuments and the rehabilitation of Historic Cities (CECRE) |
50,000. |
50,000. |
|
|
Ghana |
Ashanti Traditional Buildings |
47,000. |
47,000. |
The Committee requested the State Party to clarify the target audience of this training activity while developing its programme. |
|
ICCROM |
Development of a training strategy and procedural framework |
50,000. |
40,000. |
The Committee approved a sum of US$ 40,000 to finance the expert meeting to refine the Overall Strategy and for the survey of Latin America Development Strategy. |
|
Sub-total: Training |
182,000. |
172,000. |
||
| 2. Technical Co-operation | ||||
|
Mexico |
Special course on the World Heritage Convention for Latin America and the Caribbean |
30,000. |
30,000. |
|
|
Vietnam |
Revision of urban planning regulations of the Complex of Hué |
35,000. |
35,000. |
|
|
Zimbabwe |
Preparation of a conservation plan for Khami Ruins National Monuments |
76,900. |
36,900. |
|
|
Sub-total: Technical Co-operation |
141,900. |
101,900. |
||
| 3. Emergency Assistance | ||||
|
Albania |
Butrinti |
47,000. |
100,000. |
The Committee allocated an amount of US$ 100,000. as emergency assistance, of which US$ 47,000. is for the implementation of immediate actions, as requested. The remaining funds are to be allocated, in consultation with the Chairperson of the Committee, for the development and implementation of the programme of corrective measures. |
|
Sub-total: Emergency |
47,000. |
100,000. |
||
|
Total: Cultural Heritage |
370,900. |
373,900. |
||
India
* :
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.
