Category: <span>World Heritage Convention</span>

Georgia Should Take Urgent Measures to Protect Rioni River Biodiversity

Today the World Heritage Committee inscribed the Colchic Rainforests and Wetlands, Georgia, on the World Heritage List as a unique ecosystem hosting outstanding biodiversity. The Decision states that the Colchic Rainforests and Wetlands are relict forests, which have survived the glacial cycles of the ice age. The peatlands of the …

The Rivers without Boundaries Thanks the World Heritage Committee for its Wise Decision on the Lake Baikal

On July 23 the 44th Session of the World Heritage Committee, held at Fuzhou in China, unanimously approved (without discussion) a new Decision on the Lake Baikal – the most troubled property of the Russian Federation. As an observer at the Session, Eugene Simonov, Coordinator of the Rivers without Boundaries …

Natural Heritage Receives a Major Blow as the Selous Game Reserve is Discussed at Fuzhou Session of the World Heritage Convention Committee

On July 19th, the majority of the World Heritage Committee Members refuted the World Heritage Centre’s recommendation to de-list the property damaged severely and deliberately by construction of a hydropower reservoir on the Rufiji River. Instead many of them congratulated the State Party of Tanzania for its relentless efforts in …

Luang Prabang – World Heritage Sandwiched Between Dams

Commentary to Mongabay by Gary Lee | Sarinee Achavanuntakul | Eugene Simonov This month’s World Heritage meeting represents a critical opportunity for the UNESCO World Heritage Committee (WHC) to protect rivers and the World Heritage sites and cultures that depend on them. The WHC is charged with protecting sites around …

Mesopotamia Marshes and Cultural Heritage of Iraq Threatened by the Makhoul Dam

Hydro-engineering war against nature and people has further escalated in the Tigris River Basin. In 2020 Turkey completed infamous Ilisu Hydropower project (see “Test killing” of Tigris River by Turkish Authorities Has Started ), while in early 2021 Iran diverted part of Lesser Zab River to replenish Urmia Lake (see …

Water transfers fuel corruption and environmental degradation in Iran – a Statement Issued by Iranian Civil Society

Iranian Environmentalists Mark International Day Against Water Transfer 17 April 2021 By the People’s Campaign to Save the Kind Zagros, supporter of Save the Tigris Campaign Iranian environmentalists annually celebrate the International Day Against Water Transfer on 17 April, or 28 Favardin, according to the Persian calendar. Water transfers between …