Manas Wildlife Sanctuary
Factors affecting the property in 2024*
- Crop production
- Financial resources
- Illegal activities
- Impacts of tourism / visitor / recreation
- Invasive/alien terrestrial species
- Land conversion
- Water infrastructure
Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports
- Illegal activities (Poaching and illegal logging)
- Crop production (Subsistence agriculture inside the property)
- Financial resources (Slow release of funds by central Government)
- Invasive/alien terrestrial species
- Impact of tourism/visitor/recreation (Uncontrolled infrastructure development by local tourism groups)
- Land conversion
- Water infrastructure (Impacts of upstream dam development)
UNESCO Extra-Budgetary Funds until 2024
Between 2007 and 2015, the property benefited from a programme funded by the India World Heritage UNF to enhance management effectiveness, build staff capacity and increase the involvement of local communities.
International Assistance: requests for the property until 2024
Total amount approved : 165,000 USD
1997 | Contribution towards the implementation of an Emergency ... (Approved) | 90,000 USD |
1997 | Contribution to the implementation of an Emergency ... (Approved) | 75,000 USD |
Missions to the property until 2024**
March 1992: IUCN mission; January 1997: UNESCO mission; February 2002: IUCN monitoring mission; March-April 2005, February 2008, January 2011: joint World Heritage Centre/IUCN Reactive Monitoring missions
Conservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 2024
On 1 February 2024, the State Party submitted a report on the state of conservation of the property, available at https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/338/documents/, which provides the following updates:
- Species monitoring data are provided for rhino, tiger and pygmy hog. Rhino populations have remained fairly stable over the last three years due to strengthened protection measures, reporting 38 (2020-21), 40 (2021-22) and 47 (2022-2023) individuals. A 2023 report on the status of tigers in India recorded 57 individuals in the Manas Tiger Reserve, with an increasing trend in population and density since 2006. In 2023, the reintroduction of pygmy hog to the property (54 to date) continues recovery efforts towards meeting the release target of 60 hogs by 2025. Several new anti-poaching camps have been constructed in the property;
- The carbon financing initiative is currently in planning and study. Consultations with village representatives around Manas Tiger Reserve are ongoing to activate Eco-development committees (EDC) to address alternative livelihoods and human-wildlife conflict mitigation (48 EDCs established). Ecotourism initiatives related to vehicle safari, sightseeing and interpretation facilities continue to be supported and an online tourist ticket booking system is initiated;
- No further agricultural encroachment has occurred in the property, the existing situation remains under control and consultations between local communities, park management and political authorities are ongoing;
- Habitat management continues to be implemented under the Manas Tiger Conservation Plan. The scientific basis for the Action Plan includes objectives to identify grassland sites for restoration and management, provide principles/guidelines for restoration and enhancement, monitor grassland health, and encourage community participation. An intervention strategy for the removal of the invasive Chromolaena through cutting and uprooting is being implemented in pilot sites. An upscaling of efforts and repeated interventions would be required to achieve effective long-term results. A girdling technique is being piloted to control growth of invasive woody species;
- Transboundary field-level cooperation with the State Party of Bhutan is ongoing across the Manas landscape. Potential transboundary extension of the property will require further consultation and a revised proposal is not currently under consideration;
- The Mangdechhu hydroelectric project is under the purview of bilateral agreement between the governments of India and Bhutan, and the States Parties need to consider appropriate discussions.
Analysis and Conclusion by World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies in 2024
The ongoing efforts to monitor key species within the property and continued efforts to strengthen anti-poaching are welcomed. It is positive that rhino populations are reported to be stable, the tiger population has been increasing since 2006, and efforts to reintroduce pygmy hogs are facilitating recovery of this endangered species. It is recommended that systematic long-term monitoring is implemented for the property to continue tracking the status of key species and ensure their protection, combined with continued anti-poaching efforts.
The various activities to support carbon financing, ecotourism activities and establish EDCs to address alternative livelihoods and human-wildlife conflict mitigation in consultation with village representatives are noted and encouraged.
It is positive that no further agricultural encroachment has occurred in the property and existing encroachment is reported to be under control, with consultations among relevant stakeholders including local communities underway. However, noting that no details are provided, it is recommended the State Party provide further information on the management measures being implemented and their effectiveness to address the threat of encroachment, with due respect to the social, economic and cultural rights of indigenous peoples and local communities, and respecting all relevant international norms.
Whilst no clear update on the finalisation and implementation of an Action Plan for the sustainable management of the grassland-woodland ecosystem has been provided, as has been requested by the Committee in numerous decisions, implementation of habitat management is reported to continue under the Manas Tiger Conservation Plan. It is noted that the reported objectives identified for the Action Plan have the potential to support longer term management goals. The initiation of pilot activities to address invasive species is a positive step and should be continued, but the reported effectiveness of such measures would require longer-term implementation. As it remains unclear whether an Action Plan has been finalised, it is recommended the State Party provide further details of this Action Plan and its implementation, including control measures against the spread of invasive plant species, notably Chromolaena odorata and Mikania micrantha.
It is positive that transboundary cooperation with the State Party of Bhutan is continuing at the operational level. Noting that no further extension of the property is currently envisaged, it is recommended that the State Party consider any potential future transboundary extension in discussion with the State Party of Bhutan.
It should be recalled that the Committee first raised concerns over the Mangdechhu hydroelectric project in 2012 when it requested the State Party of Bhutan to submit an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) that included an assessment of potential impacts on Outstanding Universal Value (OUV). IUCN had, at the time, also received third party information that another existing dam, Kurichu dam also upstream of the property, was having visible negative impacts on the OUV of the property, and hence the Committee requested the State Party of Bhutan to also consider cumulative impacts (Decisions 36 COM 7B.10, 38 COM 7B.65 and 39 COM 7B.11). It is therefore of serious concern that there continues to be an absence of information from the States Parties of India and Bhutan in response to the various Committee concerns and requests and that so far, neither the EIA nor the Environmental Management Plan has been submitted to the World Heritage Centre. In order to address this long-standing concern, an online joint meeting between the two States Parties, the World Heritage Centre and IUCN would facilitate a discussion to clarify the current situation including the monitoring and mitigation measures that are being implemented.
Decisions adopted by the Committee in 2024
46 COM 7B.63
Manas Wildlife Sanctuary (India) (N 338)
The World Heritage Committee,
- Having examined Document WHC/24/46.COM/7B,
- Recalling Decisions 36 COM 7B.10, 38 COM 7B.65, 39 COM 7B.11, 41 COM 8B.36, 43 COM 7B.7, 44 COM 7B.185 and 45 COM 7B.83 adopted at its 36th (Saint Petersburg, 2012), 38th (Doha, 2014), 39th (Bonn, 2015), 41st (Krakow, 2017), 43rd (Baku, 2019) sessions, and at its extended 44th (Fuzhou/online, 2021) and 45th (Riyadh, 2023) sessions respectively,
- Welcomes that monitoring of key species indicates that the rhinoceros population in the property has remained stable, the tiger population has been increasing since 2006, and reintroduction efforts for pygmy hog continue species recovery, notes with appreciation the continued efforts to address poaching, and requests the State Party to continue anti-poaching efforts, implement systematic long-term monitoring for key species in the property, and to report on the status of monitoring in its next report;
- Takes note of ongoing activities to benefit local communities including through eco-tourism and addressing alternative livelihoods and human-wildlife conflict through Eco-Development Committees, and encourages the State Party to report on further progress regarding the carbon financing initiative and benefits to the property;
- Also notes with appreciation that no further agricultural encroachment has occurred in the property and that existing encroachment is reported to be under control, and also requests the State Party to continue to address encroachment pressure with due respect to social, economic and cultural rights of indigenous peoples and local communities, and respecting all relevant international norms, and to provide further details of such management activities;
- Also takes note that habitat management continues to be guided by the Manas Tiger Conservation Plan, that objectives for an Action Plan to address the sustainable management of grassland woodland ecosystem have been identified and pilot studies to address invasive plant species have been implemented, and reiterates its requests for the State Party to provide a clear update regarding the finalisation and implementation of this Action Plan on the ground, including control measures against the spread of invasive plant species, notably Chromolaena odorata and Mikania micrantha;
- Further notes with appreciation the continued transboundary cooperation between the States Parties of India and Bhutan at the field level, and also encourages continued transboundary cooperation including regarding the possible consideration of a revised proposal for the extension of the property;
- Reiterates its serious concern about the potential impacts of the Mangdechhu hydroelectric project on the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the property, and that this project is reported to have been jointly inaugurated by the government of India and the Royal government of Bhutan in August 2019, and deeply regrets that neither State Party has provided any information about the project, nor its Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management Plan despite continued requests by the Committee since 2012;
- Further requests that an online joint meeting between the States Parties of India and Bhutan, the World Heritage Centre and IUCN be convened no later than 1 December 2024 to clarify the current status of the Mangdechhu hydroelectric project, monitoring of any impacts on the OUV of the property, and any mitigation measures that are being implemented to assure the OUV of the property;
- Finally requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 December 2025, 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 48th session.
Draft Decision: 46 COM 7B.63
The World Heritage Committee,
- Having examined Document WHC/24/46.COM/7B,
- Recalling Decisions 36 COM 7B.10, 38 COM 7B.65, 39 COM 7B.11, 41 COM 8B.36, 43 COM 7B.7, 44 COM 7B.185, and 45 COM 7B.83, adopted at its 36th (Saint Petersburg, 2012), 38th (Doha, 2014), 39th (Bonn, 2015), 41st (Krakow, 2017), 43rd (Baku, 2019) sessions, and at its extended 44th (Fuzhou/online, 2021) and 45th (Riyadh, 2023) sessions respectively,
- Welcomes that monitoring of key species indicates that the rhinoceros population in the property has remained stable, the tiger population has been increasing since 2006, and reintroduction efforts for pygmy hog continue species recovery, notes with appreciation the continued efforts to address poaching, and requests the State Party to continue anti-poaching efforts, implement systematic long-term monitoring for key species in the property, and to report on the status of monitoring in its next report;
- Takes note of ongoing activities to benefit local communities including through eco-tourism and addressing alternative livelihoods and human-wildlife conflict through Eco-Development Committees, and encourages the State Party to report on further progress regarding the carbon financing initiative and benefits to the property;
- Also notes with appreciation that no further agricultural encroachment has occurred in the property and that existing encroachment is reported to be under control, and also requests the State Party to continue to address encroachment pressure with due respect to social, economic and cultural rights of indigenous peoples and local communities, and respecting all relevant international norms, and to provide further details of such management activities;
- Also takes note that habitat management continues to be guided by the Manas Tiger Conservation Plan, that objectives for an Action Plan to address the sustainable management of grassland woodland ecosystem have been identified and pilot studies to address invasive plant species have been implemented, and reiterates its requests for the State Party to provide a clear update regarding the finalisation and implementation of this Action Plan on the ground, including control measures against the spread of invasive plant species, notably Chromolaena odorata and Mikania micrantha;
- Further notes with appreciation the continued transboundary cooperation between the States Parties of India and Bhutan at the field level, and also encourages continued transboundary cooperation including regarding the possible consideration of a revised proposal for the extension of the property;
- Reiterates its serious concern about the potential impacts of the Mangdechhu hydroelectric project on the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the property, and that this project is reported to have been jointly inaugurated by the government of India and the Royal government of Bhutan in August 2019, and regrets that neither State Party has provided any information about the project, nor its Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management Plan despite continued requests by the Committee since 2012;
- Further requests that an online joint meeting between the States Parties of India and Bhutan, the World Heritage Centre and IUCN be convened no later than 1 December 2024 to clarify the current status of the Mangdechhu hydroelectric project, monitoring of any impacts on the OUV of the property, and any mitigation measures that are being implemented to assure the OUV of the property;
- Finally requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 December 2025, 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 48th session.
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.