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State of Conservation Manovo-Gounda St Floris ... 2017

Manovo-Gounda St Floris National Park

Central African Republic
Factors affecting the property in 2017*
  • Civil unrest
  • Identity, social cohesion, changes in local population and community
  • Illegal activities
  • Livestock farming / grazing of domesticated animals
  • Mining
Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports
  • Insecurity
  • Poaching
  • Mining
  • Transhumance and illegal grazing
  • Illegal fishing
  • Illegal occupation of the property
Threats for which the property was inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger
  • Illegal grazing
  • Uncontrolled poaching by heavily armed groups subsequent loss of up to 80% of the Park’s wildlife and the deteriorating security situation
  • Halt to tourism
Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger

Adopted, see page https://whc.unesco.org/en/decisions/1761

Corrective Measures for the property

Adopted, see page https://whc.unesco.org/en/decisions/1761

Timeframe for the implementation of the corrective measures

Not yet identified

International Assistance: requests for the property until 2017
Requests approved: 4 (from 2001-2012)
Total amount approved : 225,488 USD
2012 Atelier d'élaboration d'un plan d'urgence pour le parc ... (Approved)   25,488 USD
2007 Assistance d'urgence pour la sauvegarde d'un bien du ... (Approved)   30,000 USD
2001 Programme d'urgence pour la réhabilitation du site du ... (Approved)   150,000 USD
2001 Project for "Long-term Conservation of the ... (Approved)   20,000 USD
Missions to the property until 2017**

May 2001 and April 2009: Joint World Heritage Centre/IUCN Reactive Monitoring missions

1995 Mission Report, Monitoring Mission, Manovo-Gounda St.Floris National Park
Conservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 2017

On 16 March 2017, the State Party submitted a state of conservation report on the property, available at https://whc.unesco.org.en/list/475/documents/, containing the following information:

  • The Fauna Ecosystem project in the North-east region of the Central African Republic (CAR) (ECOFAUNE+), financed by the BEKOU EU Trust Fund, has among its objectives: the reduction of pressure on natural resources exerted by trans-border users through continuous surveillance; the contribution to regional dialogue on cross-border transhumance  and to the fight against poaching; the training of young people with a view to their vocational integration;, and the resumption of tourism activities to revitalize the local economy;
  • The Central Africa Biodiversity Conservation Programme – Protecting Central Africa’s Elephants (CABPC – PCAE), funded by the African Development Bank, aims at supporting the institutions responsible for the protection of fauna and flora in CAR, to improvement the cross-border management in the fight against poaching and to raise awareness on this issue;
  • The main activities implemented, in and around the property, are : the rehabilitation of the Manovo base camp and the surveillance trails in the Village Hunting Zones (ZCV) around the property, the acquisition of equipment (vehicles and motor bikes) including surveillance tools for patrols (such as drones and camera traps), the strengthening of human resources and staff training. Thirty-five anti-poaching patrolling missions took place since August 2016. An anti-poaching tripartite agreement was signed between the CAR, Chad and Cameroon. The adoption of a new code for wildlife and protected areas is being finalized. Preliminary bio-monitoring studies were undertaken and an aerial survey was foreseen for March 2017;
  • The preparation of a land-use development plan is on-going and will be followed by the establishment of a development and management plan for the property as well as a Management Plan for the hunting zones. The local communities are strongly involved in the management of the protected areas of the North-east of CAR, including those living in the property;
  • Insufficient financial, human and logistical resources, porous borders, cross-border transhumance, artisanal mining and insecurity are all evoked as factors likely to have an impact on the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the property.
Analysis and Conclusion by World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies in 2017

The continued efforts of the State Party, with support from the ECOFAUNE+ and CABPC – PCAE projects, to initiate the progressive strengthening of the protection of the fauna and flora in the North-East part of the country, where the property is located, notably to fight against poaching and to tackle cross-border transhumance in cooperation with the neighboring States Parties of Cameroon, Sudan and Chad, must be welcomed. Nevertheless, it is recommended that the Committee note with concern that cross-border transhumance, artisanal mining and insecurity remain serious threats affecting the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the property.

It should be recalled that the Committee has expressed its hope that the commitments made during the “Bangui National Forum” in May 2015 would lead to a progressive restoration of peace and an improvement of the security situation in the country, including in the region where the property is located. In this respect, it is recommended that the Committee note with appreciation the activities carried out by the State Party, in and around the property that have also benefitted the Bamingui-Bangoran National Park. It should also be recalled that it takes time to achieve the stabilization of the security situation in and around the property, which remains problematic for the time being.

In this respect, the planned workshop for the development of an Emergency Action Plan for the Safeguarding of the property, as requested by the Committee on several occasions, must also be welcomed. This workshop should be organized during the second semester of 2017. It should be recalled that the Committee noted that with continued insecurity and extremely significant pressures being faced by the property, and given the lack of data enabling an analysis of the current situation, the perspectives for the restoration of the OUV of the property are, and have been for many years, called into question. It is therefore recommended that the Committee urge the State Party to undertake a feasibility study for the restoration of the OUV of the property prior to the organization of the workshop devoted to developing an Emergency Action Plan.

It is also recommended that the Committee reiterate its request to the State Party to invite a joint World Heritage Centre/IUCN Reactive Monitoring mission, as soon as the security situation permits to assess the state of conservation of the property and determine whether there remain perspectives for the regeneration of the characteristics of the property justifying its OUV.

Finally, it is recommended that the Committee maintain the property on the list of World Heritage in Danger and continue to apply the Reinforced Monitoring Mechanism.

Summary of the interventions
Decisions adopted by the Committee in 2017
41 COM 7A.4
Manovo Gounda St. Floris National Park (Central African Republic) (N 475)

The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Having examined Document WHC/17/41.COM/7A.Add,
  2. Recalling Decision 40 COM 7A.34, adopted at its 40th session (Istanbul/UNESCO, 2016),
  3. Welcomes the continued efforts of the State Party, with support from the ECOFAUNE+ and Central Africa Biodiversity Conservation Programme – Protecting Central Africa’s Elephants (CABPC – PCAE), for the progressive strengthening of the protection of the fauna and flora in the North-east part of the country, where the property is located, in particular as regards the fight against poaching and the mitigation of cross-border transhumance in cooperation with the States Parties of Cameroon, Sudan and Chad;
  4. Notes with concern that cross-border transhumance, artisanal mining and insecurity continue to threaten the property;
  5. Recalls that due to persistent insecurity and extremely significant pressures faced by the property, and in the absence of data allowing an analysis of the current situation, the perspectives for restoring the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the property have been called into question for many years;
  6. Also welcomes the planned organization of a workshop to develop an Emergency Action Plan for the property, as requested on several occasions by the Committee, and urges the State Party to undertake a feasibility study for the restoration of the OUV of the property before organizing this workshop;
  7. Reiterates its request to the State Party to invite a joint World Heritage Centre/IUCN Reactive Monitoring mission, as soon as the security situation permits, to assess the state of conservation of the property and to determine whether there remain perspectives for the regeneration of the characteristics of the property justifying its OUV;
  8. Requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2018, an updated report on the state of conservation of the property and on the implementation of the above, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 42nd session in 2018;
  9. Decides to continue to apply the Reinforced Monitoring Mechanism to this property;
  10. Also decides to retain Manovo-Gounda St Floris National Park (Central African Republic) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
Read more
41 COM 8C.2
Update of the List of World Heritage in Danger (Retained Properties)

The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Having examined the state of conservation reports of properties inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger (WHC/17/41.COM/7A, WHC/17/41.COM/7A.Add and WHC/17/41.COM/7A.Add.2),
  2. Decides to retain the following properties on the List of World Heritage in Danger:
    • Afghanistan, Cultural Landscape and Archaeological Remains of the Bamiyan Valley (Decision 41 COM 7A.54)
    • Afghanistan, Minaret and Archaeological Remains of Jam (Decision 41 COM 7A.55)
    • Belize, Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System (Decision 41 COM 7A.2)
    • Bolivia (Plurinational State of), City of Potosí (Decision 41 COM 7A.23)
    • Central African Republic, Manovo-Gounda St Floris National Park (Decision 41 COM 7A.4)
    • Chile, Humberstone and Santa Laura Saltpeter Works (Decision 41 COM 7A.24)
    • Côte d'Ivoire / Guinea, Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve (Decision 41 COM 7A.6)
    • Democratic Republic of the Congo, Garamba National Park (Decision 41 COM 7A.7)
    • Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kahuzi-Biega National Park (Decision 41 COM 7A.8)
    • Democratic Republic of the Congo, Okapi Wildlife Reserve (Decision 41 COM 7A.9)
    • Democratic Republic of the Congo, Salonga National Park (Decision 41 COM 7A.10)
    • Democratic Republic of the Congo, Virunga National Park (Decision 41 COM 7A.11)
    • Egypt, Abu Mena (Decision 41 COM 7A.32)
    • Honduras, Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve (Decision 41 COM 7A.3)
    • Indonesia, Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra (Decision 41 COM 7A.18)
    • Iraq, Ashur (Qal'at Sherqat) (Decision 41 COM 7A.33)
    • Iraq, Hatra (Decision 41 COM 7A.34)
    • Iraq, Samarra Archaeological City (Decision 41 COM 7A.35)
    • Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls (site proposed by Jordan) (Decision 41 COM 7A.36)
    • Libya, Archaeological Site of Cyrene (Decision 41 COM 7A.37)
    • Libya, Archaeological Site of Leptis Magna (Decision 41 COM 7A.38)
    • Libya, Archaeological Site of Sabratha (Decision 41 COM 7A.39)
    • Libya, Old Town of Ghadamès (Decision 41 COM 7A.40)
    • Libya, Rock-Art Sites of Tadrart Acacus (Decision 41 COM 7A.41)
    • Madagascar, Rainforests of the Atsinanana (Decision 41 COM 7A.14)
    • Mali, Old Towns of Djenné (Decision 41 COM 7A.28)
    • Mali, Timbuktu (Decision 41 COM 7A.29)
    • Mali, Tomb of Askia (Decision 41 COM 7A.30)
    • Micronesia (Federated States of), Nan Madol: Ceremonial Centre of Eastern Micronesia (Decision 41 COM 7A.56)
    • Niger, Aïr and Ténéré Natural Reserves (Decision 41 COM 7A.15)
    • Palestine, Birthplace of Jesus: Church of the Nativity and the Pilgrimage Route, Bethlehem (Decision 41 COM 7A.42)
    • Palestine, Palestine: Land of Olives and Vines – Cultural Landscape of Southern Jerusalem, Battir (Decision 41 COM 7A.43)
    • Panama, Fortifications on the Caribbean Side of Panama: Portobelo-San Lorenzo (Decision 41 COM 7A.25)
    • Peru, Chan Chan Archaelogical Zone (Decision 41 COM 7A.26)
    • Senegal, Niokolo-Koba National Park (Decision 41 COM 7A.16)
    • Serbia, Medieval Monuments in Kosovo (Decision 41 COM 7A.21)
    • Solomon Islands, East Rennell (Decision 41 COM 7A.19)
    • Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient City of Aleppo (Decision 41 COM 7A.44)
    • Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient City of Bosra (Decision 41 COM 7A.45)
    • Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient City of Damascus (Decision 41 COM 7A.46)
    • Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient Villages of Northern Syria (Decision 41 COM 7A.47)
    • Syrian Arab Republic, Crac des Chevaliers and Qal’at Salah El-Din (Decision 41 COM 7A.48)
    • Syrian Arab Republic, Site of Palmyra (Decision 41 COM 7A.49)
    • Uganda, Tombs of Buganda Kings at Kasubi (Decision 41 COM 7A.31)
    • United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Liverpool – Maritime Mercantile City (Decision 41 COM 7A.22)
    • United Republic of Tanzania, Selous Game Reserve (Decision 41 COM 7A.17)
    • United States of America, Everglades National Park (Decision 41 COM 7A.1)
    • Uzbekistan, Historic Centre of Shakhrisyabz (Decision 41 COM 7A.57)
    • Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of), Coro and its Port (Decision 41 COM 7A.27)
    • Yemen, Historic Town of Zabid (Decision 41 COM 7A.51)
    • Yemen, Old City of Sana’a (Decision 41 COM 7A.52)
    • Yemen, Old Walled City of Shibam (Decision 41 COM 7A.53)
      Read more
      Draft Decision: 41 COM 7A.4

      The World Heritage Committee,

      1. Having examined Document WHC/17/41.COM/7A.Add,
      2. Recalling Decision 40 COM 7A.34, adopted at its 40th session (Istanbul/UNESCO, 2016),
      3. Welcomes the continued efforts of the State Party, with support from the ECOFAUNE+ and Central Africa Biodiversity Conservation Programme – Protecting Central Africa’s Elephants (CABPC – PCAE), for the progressive strengthening of the protection of the fauna and flora in the North-east part of the country, where the property is located, in particular as regards the fight against poaching and the mitigation of cross-border transhumance in cooperation with the States Parties of Cameroon, Sudan and Chad;
      4. Notes with concern that cross-border transhumance, artisanal mining and insecurity continue to threaten the property;
      5. Recalls that due to persistent insecurity and extremely significant pressures faced by the property, and in the absence of data allowing an analysis of the current situation, the perspectives for restoring the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the property have been called into question for many years;
      6. Also welcomes the planned organization of a workshop to develop an Emergency Action Plan for the property, as requested on several occasions by the Committee, and urges the State Party to undertake a feasibility study for the restoration of the OUV of the property before organizing this workshop;
      7. Reiterates its request to the State Party to invite a joint World Heritage Centre/IUCN Reactive Monitoring mission, as soon as the security situation permits, to assess the state of conservation of the property and to determine whether there remain perspectives for the regeneration of the characteristics of the property justifying its OUV;
      8. Requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2018, an updated report on the state of conservation of the property and on the implementation of the above, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 42nd session in 2018;
      9. Decides to continue to apply the Reinforced Monitoring Mechanism to this property;
      10. Also decides to retain Manovo-Gounda St Floris National Park (Central African Republic) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
      Previous 2016 Next 2018
      Report year: 2017
      Central African Republic
      Date of Inscription: 1988
      Category: Natural
      Criteria: (ix)(x)
      Danger List (dates): 1997-present
      Documents examined by the Committee
      WHC/17/41.COM/7A.Add
      WHC/17/41.COM/INF.7 Rev
      SOC Report by the State Party
      Report (2017) .pdf
      arrow_circle_right 41COM (2017)
      Exports
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      * : 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.


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