Manas Wildlife Sanctuary

• Construction of a dam (issue resolved);
• Bodo people insurgency;
• Destruction of Park infrastructures; 
• Illegal removal of vegetation;
• Poaching

The Committee at its last session recalled that the site was inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger in 1992 and that because of the unstable political situation, the Indian authorities have been unable to present a report. The Committee asked, therefore, that all diplomatic channels be used to transmit its concerns. As a result of these efforts, the World Heritage Centre has received a status report dated 26 January 1994 from the Government of India which informs that the Government of Assam has pressed into service members of the armed police and the newly created Assam Protection Forces to protect this area. Further strengthening of the Protection Force is under active consideration by the Government of Assam. However, in spite of these assurances, the press continues to report serious instability and continued poaching in the area.

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Report prepared by IUCN

1. PROPERTY: MANAS NATIONAL PARK (India)
2. DATE INSCRIBED AND CRITERIA: 1985. ii. iii, iv; 1992 - World Heritage in Danger
3. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FROM WORLD HERITAGE FUND: None
4. CONDITION OF PROPERTY:

Since the last Committee meeting three news reports and one report from the Assam Forest Department fall cited below) confirm that the situation continues to deteriorate. Almost one third (22) of the parks remaining rhinos, were poached in 1993. The Bodo rebellion is still hampering management efforts and only a part of the area is considered safe. The Assam Forest Department is providing a group of elite commandos who will be trained and provided with modern weapons. This will not solve the problem with the local communities around the park but is one necessary step. WWF-India as well as the Forest Department are planning various activities but the security situation still does not allow resolution of the problem.

The Government of India has acknowledged the letter of concern sent by the World Heritage Centre but has not proposed any corrective measures or any cooperative action with the State Government. The conservation status of the park thus has not improved but it is likely not yet beyond hope. Both WWF-India and the Swaminathan Foundation are hoping to assist in monitoring the situation.

• endorse in principle a sum of $25,000 to assist Manas if requested by the Government of India;
• offer to involve WWF-India and the Swaminathan Foundation in their efforts to help;
• consider sending a high level mission to Delhi and to Assam to impress the urgency of the situation on the authorities.

• Tigers on the Brink. TIME. 28 March 1994
• Subhani, S.Z. Militants Decimate Manas' Wildlife. WWF Features 34/93
• Manas Rhinos Routed by Bodos. 3 February 1994. Delhi Pioneer
• Manas Wildlife Sanctuary. Report to Workshop on Indian Rhino by Forest Department of Assam. December 1993

Note: Further background on problems in the site are contained in ten IUCN monitoring reports beginning in June, 1989.

The Bureau may wish to consider retaining the World Heritage in Danger status of this site.

At its eighteenth session, the World Heritage Bureau took note of the response by the Indian Government concerning Manas Wildlife Sanctuary which was inscribed on the List of World Heritage In Danger in 1992. The Bureau endorsed international assistance, if it is officially requested by the Indian Government. So far no such request has been submitted.

The Centre is aware of the action undertaken by two non­governmental organizations, WWF-India and the Swaminathan Foundation, which have already commissioned a report on Manas Wildlife Sanctuary, which is expected shortly. Furthermore, WWF-India has expressed interest to prepare a state of conservation report on Kaziranga World Heritage site, and to set up a systematic monitoring for Kaziranga.

It is recommended that Manas Wildlife Sanctuary be retained on the List of World Heritage in Danger.