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1.
Ngorongoro Conservation Area (United Republic of Tanzania) (C/N 39bis)
Year of inscription on the World Heritage List 1979
Criteria (iv)(vii)(viii)(ix)(x)
Year(s) of inscription on the List of World Heritage in Danger 1984-1989
Previous Committee Decisions see page http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/39/documents/
International Assistance
Requests approved: 0 (from 1979-2001)
Total amount approved: USD 235,845
For details, see page http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/39/assistance/
UNESCO Extra-budgetary Funds
$79,000 to date plus $275,000 IUCN support in 1994 (funded by Germany)
Previous monitoring missions
N/A
Factors affecting the property identified in previous reports
 Shortcomings in the management and lack of resources (issues resolved)
 Residents allowed to grow crops inside the World Heritage site (issue resolved)
 Construction of an access road
Illustrative material see page http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/39/
Information presented to the Bureau of the World Heritage Committee in 2001
Previous
deliberations:
Twenty-third
session
of
the
Committee
–page
93
of
Annex
Twenty-fourth
session
of
the
Bureau
–
paragraph
Twenty-fourth session of the Committee – paragraph VIII.27 / Annex X page 117.
VIII
IV.41
Main issues: Environmental Impact Assessment of proposed routes of access road.
New information: The Centre received a letter dated 12 April 2001 from the UNESCO Dar es Salaam
Office transmitting the Ngorongoro Management Plan (1996), a letter from the Conservator of
Ngorongoro dated 5 April 2001, and a “Draft Plan to Control Vehicle Congestion in the Ngorongoro
Crater”. Through the letter from UNESCO Office the State Party requested assistance to undertake a
study to evaluate the environmental impact of vehicle pressure in the Ngorongoro Crater and to examine
ways of managing vehicle numbers with a view to keeping a balance between protecting the ecosystem
and maintaining tourism. There has been 7% annual increase in tourists to Ngorongoro Crater since
1991, and that the Crater attracts over 75% of the visitors with vehicles to Ngorongoro. The State Party
is concerned that the number of vehicles on the crater floor has reached excessive levels with recordings
of 140 vehicles at one time, and that continuous and excessive vehicle traffic is taking a perceptible toll
on the environment. The report shows that in 1999 there were 122,791 tourists compared to 213,529
in 2000 and that even during the times when the number of visitors is low the number of vehicles is high
(vehicles are carrying less visitors). Two meetings have been held between the Ngorongoro
Conservation Area Authority (NCAA), on follow-up actions of the plan and the local tourist industry
(including tour operator’s associations and representatives of leading tour operators and hoteliers
operating in Ngorongoro). Measures have been proposed in the Draft Plan including: encouraging
medium sized vehicles; cutting down the number of stay hours by introducing the shift system; reviewing
the pricing system; diversification of attractions outside the crater; and training of tour drivers and
guides.
IUCN has received reports of the extensive spread of an invasive alien species, the "Mexican poppy"
(Argemone mexicana, Family Papaveraceae) in the wheat fields around Karatu, inside the Ngorongoro
Conservation Area (NCA). This plant is also growing on the roadsides within the Ngorongoro Crater
floor, as well as along the roads towards Ndutu, Naabi Gate and Loliondo. The invasive species is a
potential threat to the Serengeti ecosystem of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, especially inside the
crater floor. In the worst case scenario, it could spread through the grass plains, competing with local
species and therefore taking away an important food source of the ungulates. This species is highly
toxic to humans and animals. It is important to avoid the spread of this aggressive alien by carefully
monitoring all areas, especially the roadsides and by collecting and burning the plants before they set
seeds. There have also been reports of other invasive species Gutenbergia (Erlangea) cordifolia and
Bidens spp., which have infested up to one-quarter of the Crater floor.
The State Party has noted that it is aware of the situation with these invasive species and has been
carrying out some initiatives to eradicate the weeds. The State Party has also noted its willingness to
accept assistance in identifying invasive species and setting up an eradication programme. IUCN has
been involved in discussions with various parties on the eradication of this species, including the IUCN
Invasive Species Specialist Group and is willing to provide technical assistance as required.
IUCN also remains concerned about the ecological impact of the canal and road works. The 1998 road
works deepened and added new branches to the canal that diverts water away from the Gorigor Swamp,
the Crater's largest wetland, fed by Tokitok Spring and the Oljoro Nyuki stream, to the lake, which
caused the southern third of the swamp to dry up. The canal is maintaining the water level in the lake at
an artificially high level and reducing the lake’s natural salinity . It has been reported to IUCN that water
flow studies in 1999 and 2000 show that the northernmost culvert seems to have captured the discharge
of Ngoitokitok spring water, and as a result the amount of water being removed from Gorigor in 2000
tripled the amount removed in 1999. This means that what was left of the Gorigor Swamp is kept dry in
the dry-season, thus severely impacting on the wetland habitats.
Action Required
The Bureau requests the State Party to undertake a study on the impact of vehicles in Ngorongoro
Conservation Area with view to examining ways for vehicle management in the Area. Furthermore the
Bureau welcomes the recommendations made by IUCN and requests a detailed state of conservation
report from the State Party on the extent and impact of the invasive species, as well as methods for their
control and eradication by 15 September 2001 to be reported to the twenty-fifth extraordinary session
of the Bureau.
Conservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 2001
The Centre and IUCN received a report of extensive and increasing domestic crop cultivation in the
Ngorongoro Crater and wider Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA), 97% of which constitutes the World
Heritage site. A letter from the Centre dated 18 July 2001 was addressed to the Permanent Delegation
of the United Republic of Tanzania to UNESCO with a request to verify the situation with the Ngorongoro
Conservation Area authorities and to inform the Centre. The same letter was copied to the Frankfurt
Zoological Society that has undertaken projects in NCA. Concerns have been raised over the expansion
and the negative impacts on wildlife and the Masaai traditional pastoralism. Specifically the concerns
raised relate to:
·
Cultivation on very steep slopes of 7.5 to 12.5 degrees. Cultivation was most intense behind
Embakai Crater, around Endulen and on the slopes of the Ngorongoro Highland between the Crater
and the Serengeti National Park
·
Growing pressure for alternative land use which has reduced most of the Maasai's grazing lands,
making Ngorongoro the last sanctuary with intact grazing land for the resident Maasai and the pastoral
communities normally situated outside the boundaries of the NCAA.
·
Steady increase in residents in Ngorongoro, mainly through immigration from other areas
·
Changes in the agricultural practices of the Masaai pastoralists, including increased sedentarisation,
intensification of livestock production, changing food traditions and introduction of modern housing and
development inputs.
In response to the above report, the Conservator of Ngorongoro in his letter to the Centre dated 7 August
2001, notes that in 1995 the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority commissioned a team of experts
to consider the issue of domestic cultivation. The study concluded that the cultivation practised by the
Masaai pastoralists was not a threat to conservation and pastoralism interests. It recommended
cultivation carried out by non-Masaai pastoralists should be halted as it posed a threat to the integrity of
the Conservation Area. It also noted that increasing numbers of in-migrants who might not abide by
Masaai relations and customs, could threaten the functioning of the Masaai’s social institutions which
regulate land use.
Further, the Conservator of Ngorongoro notes that the following actions have been enforced:
·
Identification of in-migrants and human and livestock census
·
Acquiring alternative land for cultivation outside the Conservation Area for resettling of in-migrants
and where domestic cultivation could be carried out
·
Follow up study to the 1995 study
·
Implementation of a DANIDAfunded project aimed at revitalising the livestock- based economy in
order to ensure that cultivation remains secondary to livestock
·
Continuing the grain importation scheme to help the resident population gain access to grain at
cost price, and therefore discourage crop cultivation
In its statement addressed to the Centre dated 27 August 2001, the Frankfurt Zoological Society
express concern that “without a decision from the government, cultivation will continue and threaten not
only one of the world’s most famous wildlife areas but also one of the last grazing lands for the Maasai
cattle”.
An article published in September 2001 by The Guardian newspaper entitled “PM warns Maasai against
environmental damage”, reports that:
“The Prime Minister of the United Republic of Tanzania, Mr. Frederick Sumaye, has warned Maasai
communities living inside the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority (NCAA) against tampering with
the natural ecosystem and the unique geological set of the NCA which have put Tanzania on top among
the World tourist attraction sites”. The Prime Minister is also recorded as saying to villagers that
“You should not carry out farming activities inside the conservation area because such an activity would
interfere with nature and destroy this world heritage site which Tanzania is proud to own”.
IUCN notes that the serious encroachment and destruction of the highland forests at the northern edge
of the site continues. IUCN notes further that cultivation, even at a very low level, excludes use of the
area by larger wildlife species in the long term, and that only a very small percentage of the NCAA is
suitable for cultivation because of rainfall, soil and slope conditions.
IUCN notes that:
·
the Ngorongoro Conservation Area was separated from the Serengeti and gazetted as a multi use conservation area, hence sustainable use such as grazing is allowed
·
Limited subsistence cultivation was allowed in the early nineties due to food shortages, declining
livestock and population growth. This alone was not a serious threat. What has become a serious threat
is the commercial farming introduced by immigrant farmers, and this is what needs to be addressed
urgently
·
There is some disagreement about the impact of the Masaai practising agriculture within the
NCA. There is the possibility that Masaai agriculture (distinct from traditional pastoralism or livestock
rearing), is also negatively impacting on the site
·
The management of the NCA requires more effective scientific guidance
Analysis and Conclusions of the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies
N/A
Decision Adopted: 25 BUR V.98-102
V.98
The Bureau noted that the Centre received a “Draft Plan to Control Vehicle Congestion in the
Ngorongoro Crater”. Through a letter from the UNESCO Office, the State Party requested assistance
to undertake a study to evaluate the environmental impact of vehicle pressure in the Ngorongoro Crater
and to examine ways of managing vehicle numbers with a view to keeping a balance between protecting
the ecosystem and maintaining tourism. There has been a 7% annual increase in tourists to Ngorongoro
Crater since 1991, and the Crater attracts over 75% of the visitors with vehicles to Ngorongoro. The
State Party is concerned that the number of vehicles on the Crater floor has reached excessive levels
with recordings of 140 vehicles at one time, and that continuous and excessive vehicle traffic is taking
a perceptible toll on the environment. Measures have been proposed in the Draft Plan including:
encouraging medium sized vehicles; cutting down the number of stay hours by introducing a shift
system; reviewing the pricing system; diversification of attractions outside the Crater; and training of tour
drivers and guides.
V.99
IUCN furthermore received reports of the extensive spread of an invasive alien species, the
"Mexican poppy" (Argemone mexicana, Family Papaveraceae) in the wheat fields around Karatu, inside
the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA). The invasive species is a potential threat to the Serengeti
ecosystem, which is contiguous with the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, and to the vegetation in the
Crater floor. In the worst case scenario, it could spread through the grass plains, competing with local
species and therefore taking away an important food source of the ungulates. This species is highly
toxic to humans and animals. It is important to avoid the spread of this aggressive alien by carefully
monitoring all areas, especially the roadsides and by collecting and burning the plants before they set
seeds. There have also been reports of other invasive species Gutenbergia (Erlangea) cordifolia and
Bidens spp., which have infested up to one-quarter of the Crater floor.
V.100 The State Party has noted that it is aware of the situation with regard to these invasive species
and has been carrying out some initiatives to eradicate the weeds. It has also indicated its willingness
to accept assistance in identifying invasive species and setting up an eradication programme. IUCN has
been involved in discussions with various parties on the eradication of these species, including the IUCN
Invasive Species Specialist Group and is willing to provide technical assistance as required. IUCN also
remains concerned about the ecological impact of the canal and road works.
V.101 The Observer of Tanzania expressed his appreciation concerning the details of the report and
notes that an in-depth analysis of the problems is required. He stated that the State Party would need
technical assistance to carry out such information gathering and rapid analysis to be available by
September 2001.
V.102
The Bureau requested the State Party to undertake a study on the impact of vehicles in
Ngorongoro Conservation Area with view to examining ways for vehicle management. Furthermore, the
Bureau welcomed the recommendations made by IUCN and requested a detailed state of conservation
report from the State Party by 15 September, on the extent and impact of the invasive species, as well
as on methods for their control and eradication, to be reported to the twenty-fifth extraordinary session
of the Bureau. The technical request was drawn to the attention of the Centre.
Decision Adopted: 25 COM VIII.97
VIII.97 The Committee requested the State Party to provide a report on the encroachment situation in
the northern section of the World Heritage site and on the impacts of commercial farming introduced by
immigrant farmers on the integrity and values of this World Heritage site by 1 February 2002 for
consideration by the twentysixth session of the Committee.