Rainforests of the Atsinanana
Factors affecting the property in 2024*
- Fire (widlfires)
- Governance
- Illegal activities
- Land conversion
- Mining
- Society's valuing of heritage
- Subsistence hunting
Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports
- Encroachment
- Fire
- Hunting and poaching of endangered species, including lemurs
- Artisanal mining
- Illegal logging of precious wood species (ebony and rosewood)
- Weak governance and law enforcement to prevent the illegal logging end export of precious wood species
- Need to strengthen the engagement of and benefit-sharing with local communities
Threats for which the property was inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger
Illegal logging of precious wood species (ebony and rosewood) and its secondary impacts; poaching of endangered lemurs were identified as threats for the site’s integrity
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/4344
Corrective Measures for the property
Adopted, see page https://whc.unesco.org/en/decisions/4344
Timeframe for the implementation of the corrective measures
Adopted, see page https://whc.unesco.org/en/decisions/4344
UNESCO Extra-Budgetary Funds until 2024
Total amount granted: USD 1,890,000 from the United Nations Foundation and the Nordic World Heritage Foundation; USD 1,039,000 from the Government of Norway (2014-2016)
International Assistance: requests for the property until 2024
Total amount approved : 155,000 USD
| 2021 | APPUI A LA SORTIE DU BIEN FORETS HUMIDES DE ... (Not approved) | 0 USD |
| 2020 | Projet de sensibilisation pour l’appropriation de la ... (Not approved) | 0 USD |
| 2020 | Projet d’amélioration de la qualité des formations ... (Not approved) | 0 USD |
| 2016 | Conservation et gestion des forêts humides de ... (Not approved) | 0 USD |
| 2010 | Forêts Humides de l’Atsinanana (Approved) | 100,000 USD |
| 2005 | Elaboration of a a serial nomination for the humid ... (Approved) | 25,000 USD |
| 2000 | Technical Assistance for Building Capacity for World ... (Approved) | 30,000 USD |
Missions to the property until 2024**
May 2011, September-October 2015: Joint World Heritage Centre / IUCN Reactive Monitoring missions
Conservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 2024
The State Party has not submitted the state of conservation report requested by the World Heritage Committee at its extended forty-fifth session (Riyadh, 2023).
Analysis and Conclusion by World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies in 2024
It is regrettable that, at the time of drafting this document the State Party has not provided any report on the state of conservation of the Rainforests of the Atsinanana, which are included on the List of World Heritage in Danger; this is contrary to Paragraph 169 of the Guidelines. The failure of the State Party to report raises concerns and makes it difficult for the World Heritage Committee to monitor the state of conservation of this property and for the World Heritage Centre and IUCN to provide an in-depth analysis. It is noted that the property remains threatened by the impacts of illegal exploitation of natural resources and deforestation, as reported by the State Party in its latest report on the state of conservation of the property in 2022, while also noting that positive progress has been reported in some aspects.
It should be noted that the State Party participated in a capacity-building workshop on development of the Desired state of conservation for removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR) and associated corrective measures, which took place in Kenya from 16 to 19 April 2024. On this occasion, the State Party gave a presentation on the state of conservation of the rainforests of the Atsinanana, highlighting the progress made in implementing DSOCR:
- The State Party reported that illegal exploitation was continuing to shift from rosewood to pallisander, but there has been an overall decline in the logging of precious woods;
- Although deforestation has decreased significantly in the Andringitra, Ranomafana and Masoala components of the property, there was an increase in forest loss between 2022 and 2023 that was linked to cyclone damage, as well as an increase in forest loss at Andohahela that was linked to the socioeconomic problems of the south;
- An increase in signs of poaching of Lemur species and other key species has been noted, as well as a reduction in restoration efforts in 2023 that was linked to the end of several projects.
Following the workshop, the State Party drew up a costed action plan for implementation of the corrective measures.
This information shows that, despite progress in implementing certain corrective measures, the challenges involved in conserving the property remain major.
It is also regrettable that the State Party did not invite the joint UNESCO/IUCN reactive monitoring mission to the property, as requested by the Committee in Decision 45 COM 7A.11.
It is recommended that the Committee express its regret that no information on the state of conservation of the property has been provided and request that the State Party provide information regarding implementation of the recommendations made in Decision 45 COM 7A.11.
Finally, it is recommended that the Committee keep the property on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
Decisions adopted by the Committee in 2024
46 COM 7A.52
Rainforests of the Atsinanana (Madagascar) (N 1257)
The World Heritage Committee,
- Having examined document WHC/24/46.COM/7A.Add,
- Recalling Decision 45 COM 7A.11 adopted at its extended 45th session (Riyadh, 2023),
- Regrets that the State Party has not submitted a report on the state of conservation of the Rainforests of the Atsinanana, a property included on the List of World Heritage in Danger, and notes with concern that the absence of a report from the State Party makes it difficult for the World Heritage Committee to monitor the state of conservation of the property, given the significant conservation threats facing the property;
- Takes note of the progress reported in implementing some corrective measures at a workshop organised by the World Heritage Centre on capacity-building on elaboration of the Desired state of conservation for removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR) and the implementation of corrective measures, but notes that the conservation challenges of the property remain major;
- Appreciates that a costed action plan for implementation of corrective measures was developed following this workshop and requests that the State Party submit it to the World Heritage Centre for evaluation by IUCN;
- Reiterates its serious concern regarding the significant increase in the rate of deforestation within the property, which has reached a record level of 0.07 per cent, exceeding the limit of 0.01 per cent defined in DSOCR, the continuing loss of primary forest in all parts of the property and an increase in reports of illegal logging of precious wood species, as raised by the State Party in its 2022 report;
- Notes the ongoing and planned efforts already indicated in the 2022 report, aimed at addressing forest loss through ecological monitoring and reforestation activities, and reiterates its request to the State Party to strengthen its efforts to combat illegal logging and trading in rosewood, complemented by efforts to promote local sustainable development;
- Recalling the information in the 2022 report concerning the planned renewal of the development and management plans for each of the six components of the property, the purpose of which is to: assess the current situation with regard to forestry and mining; inform decisions on future activities, including the implementation of corrective measures and its costed five-year action plan; and produce an Integrated Management Plan (IMP), reiterates its strong encouragement to the State Party to ensure that a fully consultative process with relevant stakeholders, including local communities, is implemented for development of the plans;
- Also requests that the State Party submit the draft development and management plans for the six components of the property, as well as the draft IMP, to the World Heritage Centre as soon as possible, so that they may be reviewed by IUCN prior to their adoption;
- While noting reaffirmation of the zero-tolerance policy with regard to the logging and export of rosewood and ebony, as stated in the 2022 report, reiterates its request to the State Party that it find a sustainable solution aimed at eliminating all stocks of precious woods and ending the illegal felling and trading of precious woods, including through full implementation of the decisions of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) concerning ebony (Diospyros spp.), pallisander and rosewood (Dalbergia spp.);
- Also recalling the activities indicated in the 2022 report aimed at preparing an inventory and marking system for “controlled official stocks” of seized logs and trading them on the national market, using the proceeds for restoration activities, reiterates that controlled official stocks are quite small compared to “uncontrolled but declared stocks” and undeclared illegal stocks;
- Reiterates its request to the State Party to invite a joint World Heritage Centre/IUCN Reactive Monitoring mission to assess progress made in implementing the corrective measures needed to achieve DSOCR and to update the corrective measures, as well as their implementation schedule, with a view to eventual removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger;
- Finally requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2025, an updated report on the state of conservation of the property and implementation of the above points, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 47th session;
- Decides to retain Rainforests of the Atsinanana (Madagascar) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
Draft Decision: 46 COM 7A.52
The World Heritage Committee,
- Having examined document WHC/24/46.COM/7A.Add,
- Recalling Decision 45 COM 7A.11, adopted at its extended 45th session (Riyadh, 2023),
- Regrets that the State Party has not submitted a report on the state of conservation of the Rainforests of the Atsinanana, a property included on the List of World Heritage in Danger, and notes with concern that the absence of a report from the State Party makes it difficult for the World Heritage Committee to monitor the state of conservation of the property, given the significant conservation threats facing the property;
- Takes note of the progress reported in implementing some corrective measures at a workshop organised by the World Heritage Centre on capacity-building on elaboration of the Desired state of conservation for removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR) and the implementation of corrective measures, but notes that the conservation challenges of the property remain major;
- Appreciates that a costed action plan for implementation of corrective measures was developed following this workshop and requests that the State Party submit it to the World Heritage Centre for evaluation by IUCN;
- Reiterates its serious concern regarding the significant increase in the rate of deforestation within the property, which has reached a record level of 0.07 per cent, exceeding the limit of 0.01 per cent defined in DSOCR, the continuing loss of primary forest in all parts of the property and an increase in reports of illegal logging of precious wood species, as raised by the State Party in its 2022 report;
- Notes the ongoing and planned efforts already indicated in the 2022 report, aimed at addressing forest loss through ecological monitoring and reforestation activities, and reiterates its request to the State Party to strengthen its efforts to combat illegal logging and trading in rosewood, complemented by efforts to promote local sustainable development;
- Recalling the information in the 2022 report concerning the planned renewal of the development and management plans for each of the six components of the property, the purpose of which is to: assess the current situation with regard to forestry and mining; inform decisions on future activities, including the implementation of corrective measures and its costed five-year action plan; and produce an Integrated Management Plan (IMP), reiterates its strong encouragement to the State Party to ensure that a fully consultative process with relevant stakeholders, including local communities, is implemented for development of the plans;
- Also requests that the State Party submit the draft development and management plans for the six components of the property, as well as the draft IMP, to the World Heritage Centre as soon as possible, so that they may be reviewed by IUCN prior to their adoption;
- While noting reaffirmation of the zero-tolerance policy with regard to the logging and export of rosewood and ebony, as stated in the 2022 report, reiterates its request to the State Party that it find a sustainable solution aimed at eliminating all stocks of precious woods and ending the illegal felling and trading of precious woods, including through full implementation of the decisions of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) concerning ebony (Diospyros spp.), pallisander and rosewood (Dalbergia spp.);
- Also recalling the activities indicated in the 2022 report aimed at preparing an inventory and marking system for “controlled official stocks” of seized logs and trading them on the national market, using the proceeds for restoration activities, reiterates that controlled official stocks are quite small compared to “uncontrolled but declared stocks” and undeclared illegal stocks;
- Reiterates its request to the State Party to invite a joint World Heritage Centre/IUCN Reactive Monitoring mission to assess progress made in implementing the corrective measures needed to achieve DSOCR and to update the corrective measures, as well as their implementation schedule, with a view to eventual removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger;
- Finally requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2025, an updated report on the state of conservation of the property and implementation of the above points, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 47th session;
- Decides to keep Rainforests of the Atsinanana (Madagascar) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
Madagascar
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.
