Developing a standardised assessment system for natural World Heritage sites

1. Developing a standardised assessment system for natural World Heritage sites • The Enhancing our Heritage Project • Sue Stolton, Equilibrium Consultants • Lindsey Chong Seng, Aldabra • World Heritage Site

2. Enhancing our Heritage Monitoring and Managing for Success in Natural World Heritage Areas

3. 4 year project of UNESCO and IUCN started in 2001 • Funded by the United Nations Foundation • Carried out in co-operation with the University of Queensland, The Nature Conservancy, WWF and other organisations

4. The project is based on the application of the WCPA Framework for Management Effectiveness

5. Africa Greater St Lucia Wetlands Park, South Africa Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda Serengeti National Park, Tanzania Aldabra Atoll, Seychelles South Asia Keoladeo Ghana National Park, India Kaziranga National Park, India Royal Chitwan National Park, Nepal Latin America Rio Platano Biosphere Reserve, Honduras Sangay National Park, Ecuador Canaima National Park, Venezuela Project sites

6. To improve management of World Heritage sites through better assessment, monitoring and reporting systems and by applying the results to adapt or enhance management Demonstrate the potential to use the WCPA Framework to develop a consistent approach to assessment, monitoring and reporting on the state of conservation and management effectiveness of World Heritage sites that could be applied to World Heritage sites on an on-going basis Project aims

7. Brief description of project • Work with sites (managers and stakeholders) to develop assessment/monitoring based upon the WCPA Framework • Conduct assessments, develop and implement additional monitoring as needed • Implement small-scale projects in response to assessment • Develop project proposals and seek funding for larger scale monitoring or management improvement projects • Gather lessons learnt and use these to: • Revise and improve the WCPA Framework • Prepare advice to World Heritage Centre on application of WCPA Framework for reporting procedures under the Convention

8. Overview of project steps Document World Heritage values and attributes Develop and undertake an initial assessment (context, planning, inputs, processes, outputs, outcomes) Establish long-term assessment and monitoring programme Report on initial assessment and analyse results Develop training and small-scale response programmes in response to assessment findings Develop larger project proposals and seek funding Repeat assessments at regular intervals

9. The Workbook • Toolkit of assessment methodologies and guidelines for data collection • The methodologies and guidelines are intended to be adapted to suit site realities

10. Key elements of assessment • Relevance and applicability: realistic and achievable management actions • Adaptability: range of methodologies (‘toolkits’) • Partnerships: self-assessment strengthened by stakeholder involvement • Reporting: reporting from local to international needs

11. Sangay National Park, Ecuador • A spectrum of ecosystems, from rainforests to glaciers • But management was species orientated • By identifying management targets managers and stakeholders have broaden their vision of site values • EoH is helping to develop monitoring (baseline data) and management strategies for this broader vision

12. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda • Including local people in the assessment of management has led to increased awareness of management issues and conservation objectives • A tangible result has been handing over of 4.2 km2 of land for gorilla conservation

13. Keoladeo National Park, India • Tensions exist over water between the park needs and the local peoples needs • The initial assessment has highlighted the need to improve relationships between park management and local communities in particular by getting local people involved in management issues

14. Lindsay Chong-Seng Executive Director Seychelles Island Foundation The Experience of the Republic of Seychellesand Aldabra World Heritage Area

15. Where is Aldabra? • Aldabra is: • 1250km from Mahe, the main island of Seychelles • 400 km north-west from the tip of Madagascar

16. What is Aldabra? • Aldabra is: • An atoll 34km long and 14.5km wide. • A World Heritage Area.

17. Aldabra overview • Largest raised coral atoll • Little human disturbance • Giant tortoises • Rich terrestrial biodiversity • Rich marine biodiversity • Huge seabird colonies • Turtles

18. Management challenges for Aldabra? • Remoteness • Logistics • Staffing • Supervision • Sustainable financing • World Heritage responsibilities

19. Outcomes of first appraisal • Securing sustainable financing • Improving budget (operations) planning • Improving administrative systems This led to phase 2 of the EoH project

20. Second phase of project • Adopting an annual work plan – rolling three-year work plan • Sustainable financing • Regional networking • Contingency planning

21. Project website www.enhancingheritage.net