Simien National Park

• Depletion of the Walia ibex population and of other large mammals
• Phenomenon of encroachment
• Impacts of road construction

Adopted, See page https://whc.unesco.org/en/decisions/4085 

Adopted, see page https://whc.unesco.org/en/decisions/4085 

Total amount granted: USD 100,000 (2012-2015) in support of community conservation and development of the grazing pressure reduction strategy (Spain and Netherlands) with important co-financing from Global Environment Fund (GEF)

On 3 February 2016, the State Party submitted a state of conservation report, which is available at https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/9/documents/ and addresses conservation issues as follows:

• Voluntary relocation of 418 households from Gich village is underway through a participatory process with stakeholders;
• While some donors have already supported the development of alternative livelihoods for the people living in immediate vicinity of the park (UNDP through the Community Management of Protected Areas Conservation initiative, Austrian Development Cooperation, the German Development Bank, the Japanese International Cooperation Agency), more funding needs to be mobilized to implement the livelihood improvements strategies, particularly for the relocated community, and the grazing pressure reduction strategy (GPRS);
• In partnership with the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) and UNESCO, and with financial support from the UNESCO/Netherlands Funds-in-Trust, development of the GPRS has been finalised through a participatory process and designates 92% of the property as a no grazing zone, and the remaining 8% as sustainable resource use zone. The no grazing zone has therefore currently been extended from 37% to 70% of the park;
• A partnership has been established between the Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority (EWCA) and AWF to manage the property;
• The Simien Mountains Community Tourism Charity Association (SIMCOT-CA) has been established to lead community based tourism. Tourism facilities have been improved, tourist numbers have continued to rise, and the local communities are increasingly benefiting from the revenue generated;
• Construction of the Debark – Mekane-Birhan – Dilyibza realignment road is underway but was delayed. The Debark – Adi arkay – Shire road realignment option is under discussion;
• A park gate has been constructed at Sawrie on the main road from Debark to the property to monitor traffic levels and to restrict use to daylight hours;
• Research conducted by students found the populations of Walia ibex and Ethiopian wolf to be increasing, but the State Party is currently looking for funding to commission a more detailed independent scientific study to assess their status, composition and distribution;
• Three applications to develop eco-lodges in the park have been received by EWCA, and potential sites have been selected. The proposed developments are undergoing an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for review by EWCA and other stakeholders before final approval by the Ethiopian Environmental Protection Authority (EPA). The State Party reassures that the final EIA will be submitted to the World Heritage Centre for review;
• Measures are being taken to limit disease transmission such as through close collaboration with vets and the implementation of zero tolerance policy to domestic dogs.

It should be noted that the ongoing voluntary relocation of the Gich village community to Debark town is continuing. An independent study has assessed the process to have been in line with national and international standards, construction of new housing is nearing completion, land plots have been made available and the majority of households received compensation payments. It is welcomed that international donors are supporting livelihood and property management programmes, but significant international financial support is still required to provide alternative livelihood opportunities for the people living in the immediate vicinity of the park, and in particular those relocated.

It is welcomed that joint implementation of the grazing pressure reduction strategy (GPRS), which has been developed through a broad stakeholder engagement, is well underway. It is a major accomplishment in addressing overgrazing, provisions of alternative livelihoods, law enforcement and enhanced monitoring of the property, and enables the authorities to meet one of the outstanding corrective measures requested by the Committee (34 COM 7A.9). Long-term investments should be continued to ensure effective implementation with key stakeholders, including the communities.

Walia ibex and Ethiopian wolf populations appear to have increased, however a more detailed independent study in line with the Committee’s recommendation (Decision 39 COM 7A.10) remains necessary, and the State Party’s stated commitment is welcomed. The State Party could consider the possibility of requesting International Assistance to support this study.

It is recommended that the Committee welcome the construction of the gate to restrict and monitor traffic, and encourage the State Party to speed up the realignment of roads. A map with all existing and proposed roads would be beneficial to ensure a common understanding of their locations, especially in relation to the extended park boundaries.

Further clarification on the exact location of the proposed eco-lodge developments inside the park is required to determine any potential impacts on the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the property under both criteria (vii) and (x). It is recommended that the Committee request the State Party to ensure that the EIA includes a thorough assessment of impacts on OUV in line with IUCN’s World Heritage Advice Note on Environmental Assessment, and to submit the report to the World Heritage Centre for review before any decisions are made that would be difficult to reverse.

To conclude, the State Party has made significant progress in implementing most of the corrective measures and towards achieving the indicators for the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR). However, further progress is required to ensure the financial sustainability of the alternative livelihood programmes and the GPRS.

It should be noted that the State Party has not provided any update on its intentions to submit a request for modification of the property boundaries to harmonize them with the extended park boundaries. It is recommended that the Committee encourage the State Party to complete the International Assistance project approved to prepare a proposal for a significant boundary modification for the property and submit it to the World Heritage Centre, as requested since Decision 35 COM 7A.9.

In view of the significant progress reported by the State Party in implementing the corrective measures, it is recommended that the Committee request the State Party to invite an IUCN Reactive Monitoring mission to the property, in order to assess progress towards achieving the DSOCR.