Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve
Factors affecting the property in 2023*
- Financial resources
- Human resources
- Identity, social cohesion, changes in local population and community
- Illegal activities
- Invasive/alien terrestrial species
- Land conversion
- Legal framework
- Livestock farming / grazing of domesticated animals
- Management systems/ management plan
- Water infrastructure
- Other Threats:
Overlap with important archaeological sites implying a need to harmonize management of cultural and natural heritage
Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports
- Financial resources
- Human resources
- Identity, social cohesion, changes in local population and community
- Illegal activities (settlements, livestock grazing and agricultural encroachment, drug trafficking, logging, commercial fishing, poaching and wildlife trade)
- Invasive/alien terrestrial species
- Land conversion (deforestation and forest degradation)
- Legal framework (lawlessness and lack of law enforcement)
- Livestock farming / grazing of domesticated animals
- Management systems/ management plan (lack of clarity of the boundaries of the property, lack of clarity regarding land tenure and access to natural resources)
- Water infrastructure (potential impacts from hydroelectric development projects Patuca I, II and III)
- Overlap with important archaeological sites implying a need to harmonize management of cultural and natural heritage
Threats for which the property was inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger
- Illegal logging
- Illegal occupation
- Lack of clarity regarding land tenure
- Reduced capacity of the State Party
- General deterioration of law and order and the security situation in the region
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/6236
Corrective Measures for the property
Adopted, see page https://whc.unesco.org/en/decisions/6236
Timeframe for the implementation of the corrective measures
Adopted, see page https://whc.unesco.org/en/decisions/623
UNESCO Extra-Budgetary Funds until 2023
Total amount granted: USD 80,000 (in addition to approximately USD 100,000 of in-kind technical assistance) under the management effectiveness assessment project “Enhancing our Heritage”
International Assistance: requests for the property until 2023
Total amount approved : 223,628 USD
| 2015 | Studies in view of the redefinition of boundaries of ... (Approved) | 25,628 USD |
| 1996 | Conservation strategy and preparation of a management ... (Approved) | 30,000 USD |
| 1988 | Equipment for Rio Platano Biosphere Reserve (Approved) | 20,000 USD |
| 1987 | Consultant services, training and equipment for ... (Approved) | 30,000 USD |
| 1985 | Strengthen protection and management of Rio Platano ... (Approved) | 20,000 USD |
| 1983 | Implementation of protective measures, of training ... (Approved) | 26,000 USD |
| 1982 | Financial contribution towards ecodevelopment ... (Approved) | 67,025 USD |
| 1982 | Rio Platano Biosphere Reserve (Approved) | 4,975 USD |
Missions to the property until 2023**
November 1995 and October 2000: IUCN Reactive Monitoring missions; 2003, 2006 and 2011: Joint World Heritage Centre/IUCN Reactive Monitoring missions; October 2017: Advisory mission facilitated by the World Heritage Centre
Conservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 2023
On 25 March 2022, the State Party submitted a state of conservation report, available at https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/196/documents, providing the following information:
- Measures to address illegal activities in the property include road inspections, seizure of wildlife products, byproducts and firearms, neutralization of poaching sites, aerial monitoring of illegal construction, and SMART patrols;
- Indigenous territorial governance has been strengthened, including through development of a Life Plan of the Las Marías Pech Tribe Council, progress towards cooperative agreements and increasing capacity towards integrated management measures
- The land titling process for territories of indigenous and Afro-Honduran Peoples was expected to be completed in the cultural zone of the property in 2022;
- Progress is reported on the implementation of corrective measures to achieve the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR). Forest cover, post-agricultural land recovery, jaguar population monitoring results are reported as well as progress towards community forestry management, reducing threats within the core zone, establishing buffer zone usage rights through family usufruct contracts, and integrated management with indigenous and Afro-Honduran communities. Due to financial constraints associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, management effectiveness assessments were not carried out;
- The State Party recognizes that a Significant Boundary Modification (SBM) is a priority to achieve the DSOCR. However, in part due to tropical storms and COVID-19, no formal consultations regarding this process have been carried out, despite initial stakeholder dialogue;
- The Patuca III Hydroelectric Power Plant (HPP) is currently undergoing operational testing. Several associated civil infrastructure works are completed or ongoing. Environmental mitigation measures for its operation have been undertaken. Compliance and progress on each of the 108 established measures are presented in a report (ICMA) from June 2021;
- No progress has been made towards the development of Terms of Reference (ToRs) for the requested Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) for the HPP, however the ToRs were expected to be completed in 2022;?
- Other projects, such as scarlet macaw species conservation, hiring and training of rangers and a deforestation alert system, among other initiatives were undertaken during 2020/21.
Analysis and Conclusion by World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies in 2023
The State Party should be commended for the continued inter-institutional efforts to address illegal activity in the property, including poaching and illegal settlement. It is noted with appreciation that measures have continued to strengthen indigenous territorial governance alongside conservation projects to restore the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the property.
It is of concern that the expected completion of the land titling process giving property rights to indigenous and Afro-Honduran peoples in the cultural zone was further delayed by 2 years to 2022, and it is recommended that the Committee requests to complete the process within the newly proposed timeframe.
Progress is noted on several fronts towards achieving the targets of the DSOCR, in terms of recovery of degraded land within the core zone, extent of forest under sustainable management through community contracts, extent of land in the cultural zone titled to indigenous and Afro-Honduran peoples, and progress to strengthen the reserve management committee as an inclusive decision-making body in the property. However, challenges appear to remain in maintaining coverage of broadleaf forest, assigning management responsibilities and use rights to residents within the buffer zone, as well as carrying out management effectiveness assessments to monitor the protection and management of the property. It is recommended that the Committee again urge the State Party, as well as the governmental and non-governmental partners, to reach the targets set out in the corrective measures and to achieve the DSOCR, including through improved collaborations, financial and technical resources.
The State Party’s commitment to advance the preparation of an SBM of the property is welcomed. Whilst the challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic and tropical storms are acknowledged, it is regrettable that there has, as yet, been no formal consultation with indigenous and Afro-Honduran territorial councils. As a crucial step towards achieving the DSOCR, the State Party should be urged to finalise the SBM proposal as a matter of priority, in consultation with indigenous representatives, including by securing technical and financial resources as well building capacity to integrate the necessary consultation processes.
It is regrettable that construction of the Patuca III HPP is now essentially completed, and operational testing has already commenced, without a thorough assessment of the current and potential impacts of the project on the OUV of the property through the SEA requested by the Committee. Noting that the project is now at an advanced stage, the State Party should be requested to develop a study to identify and monitor the actual and potential impacts of the HPP on the OUV of the property, with a view to putting in place the necessary measures to mitigate any adverse impacts on the property’s OUV, especially since still only three out of 108 existing mitigation measures, as outlined in the ICMA, are focused on longer term mitigation of environmental impacts.
Decisions adopted by the Committee in 2023
45 COM 7A.1
Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve (Honduras) (N 196)
The World Heritage Committee,
- Having examined Document WHC/23/45.COM/7A.Add,
- Recalling Decision 44 COM 7A.55 adopted at its extended 44th session (Fuzhou/online, 2021),
- Welcomes the strengthening of indigenous territorial governance, and biodiversity conservation measures to restore the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the property and notes with satisfaction the ongoing inter-institutional efforts to address illegal activity in the property, including poaching and illegal settlement;
- Expresses concern that the expected completion of the land titling process in the cultural zone of the Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve has been further delayed to 2022 and urges the State Party to complete the process within the newly proposed timeframe;
- Notes the State Party’s progress to achieve the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR), however, notes with concernthat many challenges remain, and also urges the State Party and its partners to ensure the corrective measures are expeditiously and fully implemented, through improved collaboration and resourcing;
- Reiterates its request to the State Party to secure the necessary technical and financial resources required for the consultation processes, especially with indigenous and Afro-Honduran territorial councils, to submit a proposal for a Significant Boundary Modification as a crucial step towards achieving the DSOCR, and in particular to fully consider the archaeological heritage of the property and corresponding actors;
- Regrets that the Patuca III Hydroelectric Power Plant (HPP) is already in operational testing without the current and potential impacts of the project on the OUV of the property having been thoroughly assessed through a Strategic Environmental Assessment;
- Requests the State Party to urgently develop a study to identify and monitor any actual and potential impacts of the HPP on the OUV of the property, and to adopt an adaptive management approach, including through development and implementation of necessary measures to mitigate any adverse impacts on the OUV;
- Also requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2024, 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 46th session in 2024;
- Decides to retain Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve (Honduras) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
45 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/23/45.COM/7A, WHC/23/45.COM/7A.Add, WHC/23/45.COM/7A.Add.2, WHC/23/45.COM/7A.Add.3, WHC/23/45.COM/7A.Add.4),
- Having examined the recommendations of the Advisory Bodies, 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 45 COM 7A.51)
- Afghanistan, Minaret and Archaeological Remains of Jam (Decision 45 COM 7A.52)
- Austria, Historic Centre of Vienna (Decision 45 COM 7A.55)
- Bolivia (Plurinational State of), City of Potosí (Decision 45 COM 7A.18)
- Central African Republic, Manovo-Gounda St Floris National Park (Decision 45 COM 7A.3)
- Côte d'Ivoire / Guinea, Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve (Decision 45 COM 7A.4)
- Democratic Republic of the Congo, Garamba National Park (Decision 45 COM 7A.5)
- Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kahuzi-Biega National Park (Decision 45 COM 7A.6)
- Democratic Republic of the Congo, Okapi Wildlife Reserve (Decision 45 COM 7A.7)
- Democratic Republic of the Congo, Virunga National Park (Decision 45 COM 7A.8)
- Egypt, Abu Mena (Decision 45 COM 7A.26)
- Honduras, Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve (Decision 45 COM 7A.1)
- Indonesia, Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra (Decision 45 COM 7A.15)
- Iraq, Ashur (Qal'at Sherqat) (Decision 45 COM 7A.27)
- Iraq, Hatra (Decision 45 COM 7A.28)
- Iraq, Samarra Archaeological City (Decision 45 COM 7A.29)
- Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls (site proposed by Jordan) (Decision 45 COM 7A.31)
- Kenya, Lake Turkana National Parks (Decision 45 COM 7A.10)
- Libya, Archaeological Site of Cyrene (Decision 45 COM 7A.33)
- Libya, Archaeological Site of Leptis Magna (Decision 45 COM 7A.34)
- Libya, Archaeological Site of Sabratha (Decision 45 COM 7A.35)
- Libya, Old Town of Ghadamès (Decision 45 COM 7A.36)
- Libya, Rock-Art Sites of Tadrart Acacus (Decision 45 COM 7A.37)
- Madagascar, Rainforests of the Atsinanana (Decision 45 COM 7A.11)
- Mali, Old Towns of Djenné (Decision 45 COM 7A.22)
- Mali, Timbuktu (Decision 45 COM 7A.23)
- Mali, Tomb of Askia (Decision 45 COM 7A.24)
- Mexico, Islands and Protected Areas of the Gulf of California (Decision 45 COM 7A.2)
- Micronesia (Federated States of), Nan Madol: Ceremonial Centre of Eastern Micronesia (Decision 45 COM 7A.53)
- Niger, Aïr and Ténéré Natural Reserves (Decision 45 COM 7A.12)
- Palestine, Palestine: Land of Olives and Vines – Cultural Landscape of Southern Jerusalem, Battir (Decision 45 COM 7A.39)
- Palestine, Hebron/Al-Khalil Old Town (Decision 45 COM 7A.38)
- Panama, Fortifications on the Caribbean Side of Panama: Portobelo-San Lorenzo (Decision 45 COM 7A.19)
- Peru, Chan Chan Archaelogical Zone (Decision 45 COM 7A.20)
- Romania, Roșia Montană Mining Landscape (Decision 45 COM 7A.56)
- Senegal, Niokolo-Koba National Park (Decision 45 COM 7A.13)
- Serbia, Medieval Monuments in Kosovo (Decision 45 COM 7A.57)
- Solomon Islands, East Rennell (Decision 45 COM 7A.16)
- Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient City of Aleppo (Decision 45 COM 7A.40)
- Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient City of Bosra (Decision 45 COM 7A.41)
- Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient City of Damascus (Decision 45 COM 7A.42)
- Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient Villages of Northern Syria (Decision 45 COM 7A.43)
- Syrian Arab Republic, Crac des Chevaliers and Qal’at Salah El-Din (Decision 45COM 7A.44)
- Syrian Arab Republic, Site of Palmyra (Decision 45 COM 7A.45)
- United Republic of Tanzania, Selous Game Reserve (Decision 45 COM 7A.14)
- United States of America, Everglades National Park (Decision 45 COM 7A.17)
- Uzbekistan, Historic Centre of Shakhrisyabz (Decision 45 COM 7A.54)
- Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of), Coro and its Port (Decision 45 COM 7A.21)
- Yemen, Historic Town of Zabid (Decision 45 COM 7A.47)
- Yemen, Old City of Sana’a (Decision 45 COM 7A.49)
- Yemen, Old Walled City of Shibam (Decision 45 COM 7A.50)
- Lebanon, Rachid Karami International Fair-Tripoli (Decision 18 EXT.COM 5.1)
- Ukraine, The Historic Centre of Odesa (Decision 18 EXT.COM 5.2)
- Yemen, Landmarks of the Ancient Kingdom of Saba, Marib (Decision 18 EXT.COM 5.3)
Draft Decision: 45 COM 7A.1
The World Heritage Committee,
- Having examined Document WHC/23/45.COM/7A.Add,
- Recalling Decision 44 COM 7A.55 adopted at its 44th session (Fuzhou/online, 2021),
- Welcomes the strengthening of indigenous territorial governance, and biodiversity conservation measures to restore the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the property and notes with satisfaction the ongoing inter-institutional efforts to address illegal activity in the property, including poaching and illegal settlement;
- Expresses concern that the expected completion of the land titling process in the cultural zone of the Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve has been further delayed to 2022 and urges the State Party to complete the process within the newly proposed timeframe ;
- Notes the State Party’s progress to achieve the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR), however, notes with concern that many challenges remain, and also urges the State Party and its partners to ensure the corrective measures are expeditiously and fully implemented, through improved collaboration and resourcing;
- Reiterates its request to the State Party to secure the necessary technical and financial resources required for the consultation processes, especially with indigenous and Afro-Honduran territorial councils, to submit a proposal for a Significant Boundary Modification as a crucial step towards achieving the DSOCR, and in particular to fully consider the archaeological heritage of the property and corresponding actors;
- Regrets that the Patuca III Hydroelectric Power Plant (HPP) is already in operational testing without the current and potential impacts of the project on the OUV of the property having been thoroughly assessed through a Strategic Environmental Assessment;
- Requests the State Party to urgently develop a study to identify and monitor any actual and potential impacts of the HPP on the OUV of the property, and to adopt an adaptive management approach, including through development and implementation of necessary measures to mitigate any adverse impacts on the OUV;
- Also requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2024, 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 46th session in 2024;
- Decides to retain Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve (Honduras) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
Honduras
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.
