Morne Trois Pitons National Park
Factors affecting the property in 2017*
- Renewable energy facilities
Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports
- Cable car construction project (issue resolved)
- Geothermal projects adjacent to the property
International Assistance: requests for the property until 2017
Total amount approved : 14,000 USD
| 2001 | Project for public awareness and education with special ... (Approved) | 5,000 USD |
| 1998 | Revision of the Management Plan for Morne Trois Pitons ... (Approved) | 9,000 USD |
Missions to the property until 2017**
March 2017: Joint World Heritage Centre/IUCN Reactive Monitoring mission
Conservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 2017
A joint World Heritage Centre/IUCN Reactive Monitoring mission visited the property from 24 to 31 March 2017. On 7 April 2017, the State Party submitted a report on the state of conservation of the property. The mission report and the State Party reports are available at https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/814/documents. The State Party provides the following information:
- In 2013, the exploratory and testing phase of the geothermal project in the vicinity of the property was completed at two fields (Wotten Wave and Laudat), both located outside of the boundaries of the property. Since then, no activities have been undertaken;
- Terms of References (ToRs) have recently been prepared for the development of an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) for the operational phase of the project and it is expected that the ESIA will be completed between June and August 2017. A copy of the ToRs was submitted together with the report;
- During the discussions with the mission, the State Party has accepted the mission’s recommendation to include a specific assessment of potential impacts on the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the property as part of the ESIA;
- A Global Environment Facility (GEF)-funded project focused at strengthening the effectiveness of protected areas in Dominica is currently underway, which foresees the elaboration of a management plan for the property and the establishment of a buffer zone around it.
Analysis and Conclusion by World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies in 2017
The mission has confirmed that the existing infrastructure related to geothermal development is located outside of the boundaries of the property and has concluded that it does not pose a threat to its OUV. However, rigorous monitoring will be required to ensure that no negative impacts emerge in the future. The confirmation of the State Party that no activities have been undertaken since the finalization of the exploratory phase of the project in 2013 is noted. It will be crucial to ensure that the operational phase of the project does not commence unless it is clearly demonstrated that it will not result in any negative impacts on the OUV of the property, including its conditions of integrity. In this regard, the decision of the State Party to include a specific assessment of potential impacts on OUV in the ESIA to be developed for the operational phase should be welcomed. It is recommended that the Committee request the State Party to submit the ESIA to the World Heritage Centre as soon as it becomes available, for review by IUCN, and prior to making any decisions that would be difficult to reverse, in accordance with Paragraph 172 of the Operational Guidelines. Furthermore, it is recommended that the Committee also request the State Party to ensure that the operational phase of the project will not be permitted if it would have any negative impact on the OUV of the property.
The commitment of the State Party to strengthen the management of the property, including through elaboration of a new Management Plan and establishment of a buffer zone, is welcomed. It is recommended that the Committee request the State Party to continue its efforts and to implement all recommendations of the mission on this matter, including its recommendation to further consolidate the governance of all protected areas in Dominica. Once the buffer zone of the Morne Trois Pitons National Park has been established, the State Party should be encouraged to submit, according to paragraphs 163-164 of the Operational Guidelines, a proposal to officially establish a buffer zone for the property, for examination by the Committee, through the Minor Boundary Modification process.
Summary of the interventions
Decisions adopted by the Committee in 2017
41 COM 7B.14
Morne - Trois Pitons National Park (Dominica) (N 814)
The World Heritage Committee,- Having examined Document WHC/17/41.COM/7B.Add,
- Recalling Decision 40 COM 7B.73, adopted at its 40th session (Istanbul/UNESCO, 2016),
- Welcomes the commitment of the State Party to strengthen the management of the property, including through elaboration of a new Management Plan and establishment of a buffer zone and encourages it to continue its efforts in this regard and, once the buffer zone of the Morne Trois Pitons National Park has been established, to submit a Minor Boundary Modification proposal, according to paragraphs 163-164 of the Operational Guidelines, to officially establish a buffer zone of the property;
- Notes the confirmation by the State Party that no activities related to the geothermal project in the vicinity of the property have taken place since the exploratory phase was completed in 2013, and also welcomes the State Party’s decision to include a specific assessment of potential impacts on the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the property in the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) to be prepared for the operational phase of the project;
- Requests the State Party to submit the ESIA to the World Heritage Centre, for review by IUCN, as soon as it becomes available and prior to making any decisions regarding the operational phase of the project that would be difficult to reverse, in accordance with Paragraph 172 of the Operational Guidelines, and to ensure that this phase of the project will not be approved if it would have any negative impact on the OUV;
- Also notes the conclusions of the March 2017 joint World Heritage Centre/IUCN Reactive Monitoring mission, and also requests the State Party to implement all its recommendations;
- Further requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 December 2018, an updated report on the state of conservation of the property and the implementation of the above.
41 COM 8E
Adoption of Retrospective Statements of Outstanding Universal Value
The World Heritage Committee,
- Having examined Document WHC/17/41.COM/8E,
- Congratulates the States Parties for the excellent work accomplished in the elaboration of retrospective Statements of Outstanding Universal Value for World Heritage properties located within their territories;
- Adopts the retrospective Statements of Outstanding Universal Value, as presented in the Annex of Document WHC/17/41.COM/8E, for the following World Heritage properties:
ARAB STATES
- Egypt, Memphis and its Necropolis – the Pyramid Fields from Giza to Dahshur
EUROPE AND NORTH AMERICA
- Armenia, Cathedral and Churches of Echmiatsin and the Archaeological Site of Zvartnots
- Armenia, Monasteries of Haghpat and Sanahin
- Canada, L’Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site
- Czech Republic, Litomyšl Castle
- France, Bourges Cathedral
- France, Chartres Cathedral
- France, Cistercian Abbey of Fontenay
- France, Historic Centre of Avignon: Papal Palace, Episcopal Ensemble and Avignon Bridge
- France, Historic Site of Lyon
- France, Jurisdiction of Saint-Emilion
- France, Palace and Park of Fontainebleau
- France, Paris, Banks of the Seine
- France, Place Stanislas, Place de la Carrière and Place d'Alliance in Nancy
- France, Routes of Santiago de Compostela in France
- Ireland, Sceilg Mhichíl
- Italy, Portovenere, Cinque Terre, and the Islands (Palmaria, Tino and Tinetto)
- Portugal, Cultural Landscape of Sintra
- Russian Federation, Citadel, Ancient City and Fortress Buildings of Derbent
- Russian Federation, Cultural and Historic Ensemble of the Solovetsky Islands
- Russian Federation, Historic and Architectural Complex of the Kazan Kremlin
- Russian Federation, White Monuments of Vladimir and Suzdal
- Sweden, Hanseatic Town of Visby
- Sweden, Rock Carvings in Tanum
LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARRIBBEAN
- Dominica, Morne Trois Pitons National Park;
- Decides that retrospective Statements of Outstanding Universal Value for World Heritage properties inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger will be reviewed in priority by the Advisory Bodies;
- Requests the States Parties to provide support to the World Heritage Centre for translation of the adopted Statements of Outstanding Universal Value into English or French respectively, and further requests the World Heritage Centre to upload the two language versions on its website.
Draft Decision: 41 COM 7B.14
The World Heritage Committee,
- Having examined Document WHC/17/41.COM/7B.Add,
- Recalling Decision 40 COM 7B.73, adopted at its 40th session (Istanbul/UNESCO, 2016),
- Welcomes the commitment of the State Party to strengthen the management of the property, including through elaboration of a new Management Plan and establishment of a buffer zone and encourages it to continue its efforts in this regard and, once the buffer zone of the Morne Trois Pitons National Park has been established, to submit a Minor Boundary Modification proposal, according to paragraphs 163-164 of the Operational Guidelines, to officially establish a buffer zone of the property;
- Notes the confirmation by the State Party that no activities related to the geothermal project in the vicinity of the property have taken place since the exploratory phase was completed in 2013, and also welcomes the State Party’s decision to include a specific assessment of potential impacts on the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the property in the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) to be prepared for the operational phase of the project;
- Requests the State Party to submit the ESIA to the World Heritage Centre, for review by IUCN, as soon as it becomes available and prior to making any decisions regarding the operational phase of the project that would be difficult to reverse, in accordance with Paragraph 172 of the Operational Guidelines, and to ensure that this phase of the project will not be approved if it would have any negative impact on the OUV;
- Also notes the conclusions of the March 2017 joint World Heritage Centre/IUCN Reactive Monitoring mission, and also requests the State Party to implement all its recommendations;
- Further requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 December 2018, an updated report on the state of conservation of the property and the implementation of the above.
DominicaDocuments examined by the Committee
41COM (2017)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.
