Kahuzi-Biega National Park
Factors affecting the property in 2019*
- Civil unrest
- Commercial hunting
- Illegal activities
- Land conversion
- Mining
- War
- Other Threats:
Villages in the ecological corridor between the highland and lowland sectors of the park
Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports
- Presence of armed groups, lack of security and political instability rendering a large part of the property inaccessible to the guards
- Attribution of mining permits inside the property (issue resolved)
- Poaching by armed military groups
- Bush meat hunting
- Villages in the ecological corridor between the highland and lowland sectors of the park
- Illegal mining and deforestation
Threats for which the property was inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger
- Adverse refugee impact
- Irregular presence of armed militias and settlers at the property
- Increased poaching
- Deforestation
Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger
A draft has been developed during the 2017 Reactive Monitoring mission (https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/137/documents), but the biological indicators still need to be quantified based on the results of a census of large mammals available at late 2018
Corrective Measures for the property
Adopted in 2017, see page http://whc.unesco.org/fr/decisions/6954
Timeframe for the implementation of the corrective measures
Adopted, see page http://whc.unesco.org/fr/decisions/6954
UNESCO Extra-Budgetary Funds until 2019
Total amount granted: USD 1,003,900 from the United Nations Foundation (UNF), and the Governments of Italy and Belgium and by the Rapid Response Facility (RRF)
International Assistance: requests for the property until 2019
Total amount approved : 140,970 USD
| 2018 | Organisation du survol (Approved) | 21,700 USD |
| 2000 | Emergency assistance to World Natural Heritage of the ... (Approved) | 5,400 USD |
| 1999 | Support to Resident Staff of Garamba, Virunga, Kahuzi ... (Approved) | 20,000 USD |
| 1995 | Purchase of a vehicle for Kahuzi Biega National Park (Approved) | 30,000 USD |
| 1994 | Financial contribution for the protection of ... (Approved) | 25,000 USD |
| 1992 | Review of the state of conservation of World Heritage ... (Approved) | 3,750 USD |
| 1988 | Purchase of a 4x4 Jeep for Kahuzi Biega National Park (Approved) | 20,000 USD |
| 1980 | Equipment for Kahuzi-Biega National Park (Approved) | 15,120 USD |
Missions to the property until 2019**
1996-2006: several World Heritage Centre missions in the framework of the DRC Programme; December 2009 and April/May 2017: joint World Heritage Centre/IUCN Reactive Monitoring missions
Conservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 2019
On 15 March 2019, the State Party submitted a state of conservation report on the property, available at http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/137/documents/, containing the following information:
- Collaboration between the Congolese Institute for Nature Conservation (ICCN), the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC) and the customary chiefs continues. With 1,200 patrols organized in 2018 (24 shared patrols), surveillance of the property now is now approximately 38% of the surface of the property against 36% in 2017. However, ICCN has concentrated most patrol efforts on the evacuation of the ecological corridor;
- The surveillance efforts have enabled the registering of 20 illegal artisanal mines. A new awareness-raising programme, targeting the miners, has resulted in the abandonment and the dismantling of the camp sites. To date, there is no active camp site in the property;
- An information network and barriers at the Park entrances have been installed to combat poaching. No case of trafficking of large apes was registered in 2018;
- Staff numbers have not increased, but the guards have benefitted from several capacity building initiatives and improvement in salaries and some incentive bonuses. Infrastructures have been built at the Park base (Tshivanga), and necessary material support has been provided to improve the working conditions of the guards;
- Several actions were carried out to evacuate the ecological corridor between the lowland and highland sectors, such as consultation meetings, ground patrols, the evacuation of cattle and the visit to the property by the ICCN Director-General and the Environment Minister. These measures have resulted in the complete evacuation of the corridor and the cancellation of the land titles;
- ICCN pursues activities aimed at the autonomy of the local communities by supporting various local development projects;
- The participative delineation process only produced 9.2 km, against 147 km in 2017;
- No notable action leading to sustainable funding was undertaken for the property.
In February 2018, UNESCO addressed a letter to the State Party, concerning tension between the Park and the local communities. ICCN informed UNESCO that a reconciliatory meeting, held last August, between the different stakeholders and itself, resulted in the signature of a protocol for a resumption of collaboration between the management team and the local populations.
Analysis and Conclusion by World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies in 2019
Very important progress has been achieved with the total evacuation of the ecological corridor between the highland and the lowland sectors of the property. The sustainability of this achievement is crucial to facilitate, on the one hand, the reestablishment of ecological connectivity between the highlands and lowlands, and on the other, the restoration of the integrity of the property. Furthermore, the deployment of patrols in this sector, uncontrolled since 2016, and the cancellation of land titles are significant accomplishments. The State Party may be commended for this important progress and it is recommended that the Committee again request the State Party to provide additional information, including maps, to precisely assess the state of conservation of this sector. This data will enable the evaluation of the impacts of these human activities on the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the property. It is also recommended that a rehabilitation plan of this zone be developed to facilitate the regeneration of natural vegetation.
The strengthening of collaboration between ICCN and the different national and provincial authorities are positive signs of progress resulting in the partial recovery of some sectors of the lowlands. These zones remain infiltrated by armed rebel groups who carry out illegal mining activities and continue to hamper the surveillance work of the property, despite the relative improvement in security reported in 2018.
The closure of the illegal mining camp sites inside the property is appreciable, as is the establishment of an awareness-raising procedure for the peaceful evacuation of the illegal miners. However, it is worrying to note that other artisanal mines could still exist since the patrols are unable to cover the entire surface of the property.
Progress is also noted concerning the management of the property, notably the training of guards and the improvement in their work conditions. However, the lack of financial means remains a major preoccupation, especially as it is crucial for the consolidation of the current achievements.
It is also noted with regret that the report does not provide any numerical data concerning wildlife, in particular as regards the gorillas, following the inventory of the property which was begun in 2014. As requested in Decision 42 COM 7A.48, these results are crucial for the evaluation of the OUV of the property. The Committee should remind the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre the results of the inventories for analysis by IUCN. The State Party is also encouraged, based on this data, to prepare indicators for the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR) project.
The signature of the agreement protocol in August 2018, between the management authority of the property and the local populations, notably the Batwas, is warmly welcomed. ICCN is encouraged to continue these initiatives, as well as the community conservation activities for the benefit of the local communities.
Taking note of the lack of action for the sustainable funding of the property, it is recommended that the Committee launch an appeal to donors to support conservation efforts undertaken by the State Party for the integrality of the property.
It is recommended that the Committee maintain the property on the List of World Heritage in Danger and continue the application of the Reinforced Monitoring Mechanism.
Summary of the interventions
Decisions adopted by the Committee in 2019
43 COM 7A.8
Kahuzi-Biega National Park (Democratic Republic of the Congo) (N 137)
The World Heritage Committee,
- Having examined Document WHC/19/43.COM/7A.Add,
- Recalling Decision 42 COM 7A.48, adopted at its 42nd session (Manama, 2018),
- Congratulates the State Party for the evacuation of the illegal occupants of the ecological corridor between the highlands and lowlands which answers a major concern of the World Heritage Committee and notes that it is crucial to guarantee the ecological connectivity between the highland and lowland sectors for the restoration of the integrity of the property;
- Requests the State Party to develop a rehabilitation plan for this zone to facilitate the regeneration of natural vegetation and to submit to the World Heritage Centre all information, including maps, to assess the impact of encroachment on the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the property;
- Expresses its concern as regards the continued reduction in the surveillance coverage of the property and encourages the donors to continue their financial and technical support to consolidate the important conservation efforts undertaken by the State Party for the entirety of the property;
- Notes with satisfaction the capacity-building activities for new guards, the increase in bonuses and salaries as well as the development of infrastructures to strengthen surveillance and improve the difficult work conditions of the ICCN guards and also requests the State Party to continue these efforts;
- Commends the State Party for the implementation of community conservation projects encouraging the autonomy of the local communities and the recognition of the rights and traditional means of subsistence of the local communities, and particularly those of the indigenous Batwa, and also encourages it to continue these actions in this direction;
- Further requests the State Party to submit the results of the wildlife inventory to the World Heritage Centre for review by IUCN;
- Reiterates its request to the State Party to prepare, in cooperation with the World Heritage Centre and IUCN, indicators for the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR) project, once the results of the wildlife inventory are available;
- Urges the State Party to continue the implementation of the corrective measures, as updated by the 2017 mission;
- Requests furthermore the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2020, an updated report on the state of conservation of the property and the implementation of the above, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 44th session in 2020;
- Decides to continue the application of the Reinforced Monitoring Mechanism;
- Also decides to retain Kahuzi-Biega National Park (Democratic Republic of the Congo) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
43 COM 8C.2
Update of the List of World Heritage in Danger (Retained Properties)
The World Heritage Committee,
- Having examined the state of conservation reports of properties inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger (WHC/19/43.COM/7A, WHC/19/43.COM/7A.Add, WHC/19/43.COM/7A.Add.2, WHC/19/43.COM/7A.Add.3 and WHC/19/43.COM/7A.Add.3.Corr),
- 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 43 COM 7A.41)
- Afghanistan, Minaret and Archaeological Remains of Jam (Decision43 COM 7A.42)
- Austria, Historic Centre of Vienna (Decision 43 COM 7A.45)
- Bolivia (Plurinational State of), City of Potosí (Decision 43 COM 7A.48)
- Central African Republic, Manovo-Gounda St Floris National Park (Decision 43 COM 7A.5)
- Côte d'Ivoire / Guinea, Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve (Decision 43 COM 7A.6)
- Democratic Republic of the Congo, Garamba National Park (Decision 43 COM 7A.7)
- Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kahuzi-Biega National Park (Decision 43 COM 7A.8)
- Democratic Republic of the Congo, Okapi Wildlife Reserve (Decision 43 COM 7A.9)
- Democratic Republic of the Congo, Salonga National Park (Decision 43 COM 7A.10)
- Democratic Republic of the Congo, Virunga National Park (Decision 43 COM 7A.11)
- Egypt, Abu Mena (Decision 43 COM 7A.17)
- Honduras, Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve (Decision 43 COM 7A.4)
- Indonesia, Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra (Decision 43 COM 7A.1)
- Iraq, Ashur (Qal'at Sherqat) (Decision 43 COM 7A.18)
- Iraq, Hatra (Decision 43 COM 7A.19)
- Iraq, Samarra Archaeological City (Decision 43 COM 7A.20)
- Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls (site proposed by Jordan) (Decision 43 COM 7A.22)
- Kenya, Lake Turkana National Parks (Decision 43 COM 7A.12)
- Libya, Archaeological Site of Cyrene (Decision 43 COM 7A.23)
- Libya, Archaeological Site of Leptis Magna (Decision 43 COM 7A.24)
- Libya, Archaeological Site of Sabratha (Decision 43 COM 7A.25)
- Libya, Old Town of Ghadamès (Decision 43 COM 7A.26)
- Libya, Rock-Art Sites of Tadrart Acacus (Decision 43 COM 7A.27)
- Madagascar, Rainforests of the Atsinanana (Decision 43 COM 7A.13)
- Mali, Old Towns of Djenné (Decision 43 COM 7A.53)
- Mali, Timbuktu (Decision 43 COM 7A.54)
- Mali, Tomb of Askia (Decision 43 COM 7A.55)
- Micronesia (Federated States of), Nan Madol: Ceremonial Centre of Eastern Micronesia (Decision 43 COM 7A.43)
- Niger, Aïr and Ténéré Natural Reserves (Decision 43 COM 7A.14)
- Palestine, Palestine: Land of Olives and Vines – Cultural Landscape of Southern Jerusalem, Battir (Decision 43 COM 7A.30)
- Palestine, Hebron/Al-Khalil Old Town (Decision 43 COM 7A.29)
- Panama, Fortifications on the Caribbean Side of Panama: Portobelo-San Lorenzo (Decision 43 COM 7A.50)
- Peru, Chan Chan Archaelogical Zone (Decision 43 COM 7A.51)
- Senegal, Niokolo-Koba National Park (Decision 43 COM 7A.15)
- Serbia, Medieval Monuments in Kosovo (Decision 43 COM 7A.46)
- Solomon Islands, East Rennell (Decision 43 COM 7A.2)
- Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient City of Aleppo (Decision 43 COM 7A.31)
- Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient City of Bosra (Decision 43 COM 7A.32)
- Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient City of Damascus (Decision 43 COM 7A.33)
- Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient Villages of Northern Syria (Decision 43 COM 7A.34)
- Syrian Arab Republic, Crac des Chevaliers and Qal’at Salah El-Din (Decision 43 COM 7A.35)
- Syrian Arab Republic, Site of Palmyra (Decision 43 COM 7A.36)
- Uganda, Tombs of Buganda Kings at Kasubi (Decision 43 COM 7A.56)
- United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Liverpool – Maritime Mercantile City (Decision 43 COM 7A.47)
- United Republic of Tanzania, Selous Game Reserve (Decision 43 COM 7A.16)
- United States of America, Everglades National Park (Decision 43 COM 7A.3)
- Uzbekistan, Historic Centre of Shakhrisyabz (Decision 43 COM 7A.44)
- Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of), Coro and its Port (Decision 43 COM 7A.52)
- Yemen, Historic Town of Zabid (Decision 43 COM 7A.38)
- Yemen, Old City of Sana’a (Decision 43 COM 7A.39)
- Yemen, Old Walled City of Shibam (Decision 43 COM 7A.40)
Draft Decision: 43 COM 7A.8
The World Heritage Committee,
- Having examined Document WHC/19/43.COM/7Add,
- Recalling Decision 42 COM 7A.48, adopted at its 42nd session (Manama, 2018),
- Congratulates the State Party for the evacuation of the illegal occupants of the ecological corridor between the highlands and lowlands which answers a major concern of the World Heritage Committee and notes that it is crucial to guarantee the ecological connectivity between the highland and lowland sectors for the restoration of the integrity of the property;
- Requests the State Party to develop a rehabilitation plan for this zone to facilitate the regeneration of natural vegetation and to submit to the World Heritage Centre all information, including maps, to assess the impact of encroachment on the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the property;
- Expresses its concern as regards the continued reduction in the surveillance coverage of the property and encourages the donors to continue their financial and technical support to consolidate the important conservation efforts undertaken by the State Party for the integrality of the property;
- Notes with satisfaction the capacity-building activities for new guards, the increase in bonuses and salaries as well as the development of infrastructures to strengthen surveillance and improve the difficult work conditions of the ICCN guards and also requests the State Party to continue these efforts;
- Commends the State Party for the implementation of community conservation projects encouraging the autonomy of the local communities and the recognition of the rights and traditional means of subsistence of the local communities, and particularly those of the indigenous Batwa, and also encourages it to continue these actions in this direction;
- Further requests the State Party to submit the results of the wildlife inventory to the World Heritage Centre for review by IUCN;
- Reiterates its request to the State Party to prepare, in cooperation with the World Heritage Centre and IUCN, indicators for the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR) project, once the results of the wildlife inventory are available;
- Urges the State Party to continue the implementation of the corrective measures, as updated by the 2017 mission;
- Requests furthermore the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2020, an updated report on the state of conservation of the property and the implementation of the above, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 44th session in 2020;
- Decides to continue the application of the Reinforced Monitoring Mechanism;
- Also decides to retain Kahuzi-Biega National Park (Democratic Republic of the Congo) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Documents examined by the Committee
43COM (2019)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.
