Dja Faunal Reserve
Factors affecting the property in 2004*
- Management systems/ management plan
- Oil and gas
Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports
Poaching/Hunting; Lack of capacity in conservation techniques, Lack of management mechanism (including legislation), Lack of monitoring system
International Assistance: requests for the property until 2004
Total amount approved : 84,700 USD
| 1997 | Sub-Regional workshop on Strengthening Biodiversity ... (Approved) | 29,900 USD |
| 1992 | Financial contribution for a training workshop on the ... (Approved) | 20,000 USD |
| 1989 | Contribution to field training in Dja National Park (Approved) | 4,800 USD |
| 1987 | Contribution to the adoption and implementation of the ... (Approved) | 30,000 USD |
Missions to the property until 2004**
Conservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 2004
At the time of the preparation of this document, the draft management plan had not been received from the State Party. The State Party has informed the Centre that the management plan will be finalized in May 2004.
The pilot project launched with support from the Netherlands Funds in Trust amounting to US$60,000 to demonstrate the essential role of rapid biodiversity assessment has been put in place; a process in order to integrate and to enable the local populations’ participation in the preparation of the management plan of the property through the organization of 4 stakeholder workshops in Somalomo (7 April 2003), Meyomessala (14 April 2003), Djoum (5 May 2003), Lomie (11 June 2003). A site management plan has been prepared and validated at the local level; a workshop was organized in Sangmelima from 22 to 23 July 2003 to inform the stakeholders involved in the conservation and management of the property on the importance of participation at the onset of the management plan preparation process. As a result the local population’s awareness has improved, which is a necessity for effective protection of the property. The draft management plan for the integrated management of resources of Dja for the next five years was adopted by the participants and submitted to the Minister for Forests and the Environment for validation;a National Seminar was held in Yaounde, Cameroon on 9 January 2004 in order to validate the management plan.
IUCN has been informed that there has been oil exploration around the Dja World Heritage property by a company called Geovic. Further details on the economic potential of the property for oil and gas will be known once the exploration is complete. IUCN noted that oil/gas exploitation, if approved, has potential for major impacts on the property. IUCN reiterated its position that no oil/gas or mining activities should take place in World Heritage properties.
The State Party has been contacted several times to provide clarification and further information on this issue, but no response has been received.
Summary of the interventions
Decisions adopted by the Committee in 2004
28 COM 15B.2
Dja Faunal Reserve (Cameroon)
The World Heritage Committee,
1. Reiterates its appreciation for the support provided under the Netherlands Funds in Trust Agreement with UNESCO to assist Cameroon to undertake actions recommended by the Committee for the conservation and protection of Dja Faunal Reserve;
2. Requests the State Party to provide a report on the state of conservation of the property, including information on the status of oil and gas exploration around the property, to the World Heritage Centre by 1 February 2005 for examination by the Committee at its 29th session in 2005.
Draft Decision: 28 COM 15B.2
The World Heritage Committee,
1. Reiterates its appreciation for the support provided under the Netherlands Funds in Trust Agreement with UNESCO to assist Cameroon to undertake actions recommended by the Committee for the conservation and protection of Dja Faunal Reserve;
2. Requests the State Party to provide a report on the state of conservation of the property, including information on the status of oil and gas exploration around the property, to the World Heritage Centre by 1 February 2005 for examination by the Committee at its 29th session in 2005.
Cameroon
* :
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.
