WILD has worked for almost 40 years to protect and sustain wilderness and wild places around the world. An important aspect of our work has always been a commitment to partnerships with native peoples. Over many years, we’ve worked in numerous countries and situations to strengthen the links between indigenous and non-indigenous partners in order to create a network of people working to protect and sustain the global treasure we call wilderness–it is both our collective heritage and the key to a healthy and prosperous future for all people.

The NLWC began at the 8th World Wilderness Council (2005, Anchorage Alaska – 8WWC) and since that time has provided a critical platform for the meeting of indigenous and conservation agendas, highlighting conservation approaches and providing opportunities for dialogue and information exchanges.  Following 8WWC, WILD published and distributed the first-ever volume of indigenous authored case studies on native approaches to stewarding wild nature: Protecting Wild Nature on Native Lands: Case Studies by Native Peoples from around the World (Volume I).

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For at least 8,000 years, people have journeyed to the high Ukok Plateau to bury their dead with sacred ceremonies and give offerings to the spirits of the heavens, the mountains, and the waters. Today, the Telengit people carry out their ancient rituals on the Ukok amid the burial mounds, stone stellae, and petroglyphs of their ancestors in this mountainous borderland between Russia and China.

Through centuries of experience, the Telengit people learned the survival skills—herding, hunting, fishing— that sustain their clans and communities in this remote, arid, permafrost landscape. But now they are facing a new challenge: Russia and China are planning to build a pipeline to carry natural gas from Siberia to China. The pipeline would bisect the sacred Ukok Plateau and the Golden Mountains of Altai UNESCO World Heritage Site in Russia, and the Kanas National Park in China, one of China’s last undeveloped wilderness areas. This remote mountain region is critical habitat for snow leopards, argali mountain sheep, and other endangered species.

The Telengit people and Russian environmental organizations are calling out to the international community for help to stop construction of this gas pipeline across the Ukok Plateau.  Learn more about this campaign and get involved >

The Kayapo territories span 10.5 million hectares in the Xingu region of southeastern Amazon of Brazil and form possibly the largest single protected tract of tropical forest in the world. The protection of these traditional lands can be traced to an historically warrior culture of the Kayapo, strong leaders and well-developed communal society predicated upon ceremony and symbolism.  Protecting this land is a constant struggle in this lawless region.  The Kayapo constantly need to defend their borders from encroaching ranching, logging, gold-mining and land fraud.  The now have another major battle to face – the construction of a hydroelectric dam.

For indigenous groups, the drying out of the Xingu would change life as they know it. The Kayapo and other indigenous groups rely on natural resources, and use these resources in a sustainable manner.   The drastic changes to the entire Xingu basin likely to result from the dam will have profound effects on daily life.  The latest news reports that any planned protest by the indigenous groups may not happen:

“Last week, regional indigenous leaders met here to plan a dramatic occupation of the dam’s construction site, but after four days of discussion failed to produce a consensus, the protest was called off. Members of nongovernmental groups trying to stop the dam are starting to sound resigned.

” ‘The groups are still divided,” said Christian Poirier, the Brazil campaign leader for Amazon Watch, who attended the meeting. ‘There are a lot of political considerations right now for the indigenous leaders. Some have been neutralized by handouts or threats.’ ”

Read more
>

A priceless World Heritage Site in South Africa is highly endangered by an open-cast, coal, strip-mine operating recklessly right on its boundary – and that is now set to expand! Mapungubwe National Park – a World Heritage Site and critically important transfrontier conservation area straddling South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Botswana — honors and protects the wild, natural area that is the site of “one of the most complex kingdoms that ever existed in Africa”, some 1000 years ago.

The Australian mining company CoAL has submitted plans to expand the already damaging operations. Our South African sister organization in our Wilderness Network, the Wilderness Foundation, and Peace Parks Foundation (which WILD represents in the United States) have joined forces with three other conservation organizations in South Africa (Birdlife, WWF, and Endangered Wildlife Trust). Backed by the Centre for Applied Legal Studies at University of the Witwatersrand, they have filed a legal challenge, citing: improper and deficient Environmental Management Plan; unlawful conduct of operations; poor evaluation capacity; and more.

The WILD Foundation supports this action, asking you to actively solicit the South African government and CoAL to cease and desist, in order to save this priceless wilderness and cultural legacy.

Sign the petition >

More information >

Mapungubwa Hill

“On 8 April 1933, a remarkable discovery was made in the Transvaal, South Africa — a grave of unknown origin, filled with gold-work, was found on the summit of a natural rock stronghold in a wild region. This site was Mapungubwe Hill, which serves as the capital of the ancient Mapangubwe Kingdom, situated on the international borders between South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana. Since the site was discovered, the same story of Mapungubwe has been told. It’s a story of a flourishing Iron Age metropolis on the Limpopo ruled by an African king almost a thousand years ago.

The Kingdom comprised a sophisticated state system, with highly developed agriculture, mining, and metallurgy industries and traded with countries as far afield as China. According to the Archaeology Department at the University of the Witwatersrand, Mapungubwe represented ‘the most complex society in Southern Africa’.

In July 2003, the Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape became South Africa’s fifth World Heritage site and was officially announced as Mapungubwe National Park in May 2004”

“We are only borrowing resources from our children…everything is in our hands for the future generations.” This powerful and thought‐provoking message comes from the personal account of Alfred Sibango, manager of the Kasika Conservancy on the eastern Caprivi floodplain (Namibia), following his great journey North to participate in the 8th World Wilderness Congress. On a personal level, Alfred was struck by the novelty of coldness and the necessity for warm clothing in the great north of Alaska. On a professional level, the experiences of the Congress have transcended Alfred’s work with Kasika Conservancy – the Congress served as an invaluable venue for Alfred to speak to other professionals about the successes and challenges.

While at the Congress, Alfred presented a poster of Protected Area Tourism and actively participated in the inaugural Native Lands and Wilderness Council. At this meeting indigenous groups spanning the globe gathered to discuss wilderness issues, specifically focusing on management techniques, challenges and successes on native owned/managed wilderness areas. Alfred’s participation in the 8WWC was supplemented by travel throughout the Anchorage area, visiting Seward, seeing glaciers and viewing wildlife. His reflections on his journey expound on the fact that each WWC is filled with both personal and professional learning. Alfred’s journey began with a travel delay due to baboons on the runway in Victoria Falls, was enriched by the collegial conversations at the Congress, and capped with experiencing the wild‐nature of Alaska’s glaciers. He surmised the impact of journey with, “In conclusion of this story about nature and travel, I would like to convey my message to all nature lovers because the experience I have from my trip has given me a light on nature that if we do not conserve our resources, no one will do it for us.”

Read the WWC Chronicles >

Be a Part, Register for WILD9 Today >

Megaron Txukarramã is no stranger to the perilous battle that wilderness conservation is at times. Megaron is a local chief of the Kayapó Nation, an astonishingly strong and intact traditional society that lives within, protect and manage the Xingu Indigenous Reserve in the Brazilian Rainforest. The Kayapó have warded off numerous development threats, and continuously battle the threats of cultural destruction, food security, habitat degradation and the list goes on…

Megaron journeyed with three other Kayapó to Anchorage for the 8th World Wilderness Congress, as part of a sponsored delegation. While in Alaska, they actively participated in the first meeting of the Native Lands and Wilderness Council. At this gathering, they presented their conservation stories, learned from other indigenous leaders, and gathered tools and knowledge for their people and their unrelenting efforts to protect their piece of the planet.

Following his experiences in Anchorage, Megaron returned to Brazil, better equipped and re‐energized to lead the Kayapó to their vision of conservation. Upon his return, Megaron visited each of the 21 distinct villages throughout the nearly 13 million hectare Xingu Reserve and was selected by the elders and representatives as the main chief. Now, as a united nation with one outstanding, recognizable and visionary leader, the Kayapó are more capable of meeting the mounting threats to both their land and their culture. The tools and community Megaron and the others experienced at the 8WWC helped to bring a unified voice to the Kayapó.

Read more about the Kayapo >

Read more WWC Chronicles >

Be a Part, Register for WILD9 today >

There are many parks with “wilderness areas,” however you define it – but many have no services, no water, no campsites, few trails and are only accessible by floatplane, charter plane or on foot!  These are adventures for those who REALLY like to connect with wild-nature!  Here’s some info on a few of the least visited parks in the world:

National Park of American Samoa

A reasonably new US National Park, established in 1988, American Samoa boasts some of the world’s most scenic beaches, tropical forests, rugged cliffs, coral reefs and rich cultural traditions.  American Samoa is home to the flying fox, sea turtles more than 800 native fish and 200 coral species.  Some visitors may even be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of a humpback whale, migrating northward away from the bitter Antarctic winter.

To get there, you can take one of the two flights per week departing from Honolulu or if you’re in the South Pacific, several flights depart each week from Australia, New Zealand and Fiji. Learn more about this park >

Apolobamba National Park, Bolivia

All of Apolobamba NP is above 13,000 feet!  Near the Peruvian border, the terrain is home to the Andean condor, vicunas (related to alpacas), the endangered spectacled bears and more.  The Apolobamba mountain range is the home of the Kallawaya Indians, the shamans of the Andes.

Most travelers to Apolobamba hike in along the 65 mile Apolobamba trek (or similar route).  How to get to Apolobamba >

The Bering Land Bridge National Preserve, Alaska (USA)

Located on the Seward Peninsula and protected the remnant Bering Land Bridge between Asia and North America, The Bering Land Bridge National Preserve is one of the most remote US park areas.  Access to the park is by bush plane or boat during the summer and by ski plane, snowmobile or dog sled in the winter.

The most popular spot within the Preserve is the Serpentine Hot Springs.  One of the least visited spot are the Devil Mountain Lakes, considered the largest maar in the world. Arctic foxes and Alaska hare are common; polar bear and Ribbon seals are also often seen.  The recognizable Reindeer and Musk ox are both introduced species to the area.  Learn more about this park>

Isle of Royale National Park, Michigan (USA)

Isle Royale NP is made up of Isle Royale, the largest island in Lake Superior, several smaller islands and the submerged lands within 4.5 miles of the islands.  The 209 sq miles of the park above water are unique in that it is the only known place where moose and wolves co-exist without bears.  The Ecological Study of Wolves on Isle Royale (now in its 46th year) is the longest running large mammal predator-prety study on earth.

The park is only accessible by floatplane or ferry (in summer months).  Because of its rugged terian, limited services, seasonal closures and limited accessablity, fewer than 20,000 people visit the park each year (compared to about 5 million who visit the Grand Canyon)!  Learn more about this park >

Perito Moreno National Park, Argentina

This park, created in 1937, covers 115,000 ha of mountainous terrain cut by deep valleys.  It is located in the NW of the Santa Cruz province.  Travel to the park is by gravel road only and the park contains only rough camping areas and a sparse network of tracks.  In the park you can find archeological sites including rock designs and drawings.

The park is home to guanaco (a camel-like animal), pumas, viscahas and the endangerd Huemal (or Andean Deer).  Learn more about this park >

Ivvavik National Park, Canada

High mountains, broad rivers, endless tundra – a wilderness paradise!  Ivvavik NP is 800km Northwest of Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, Canada and is accessible only by charter aircraft.  “Ivvavik” means “nursery” or “birthplace” in Inuvialuktun (the language of the Inuit), because this region is the calving grounds for the Porcupine Caribou.

Ivvavik was the first NP to be established as a result of a land claim agreement with Native Peoples.  Learn more about this park >

From March 29 – April 1 Andrew will attend the Education Without Borders Conference in Abu Dhabi, as a leadership mentor. Education without Borders will bring together 1,000 students from 120 countries.  The conference aims to build relationships and networks across borders to better understand and generate solutions for some very pressing global challenges.  As a Leadership Mentor, Andrew will have numerous opportunities to interact with the outstanding young leaders selected to attend the prestigous conference.  We know that any student who meets Andrew will be inspired by his visionary leadership and innovative approaches to wilderness conservation and social challenges, such as Umzi Wethu.

Provided urgently needed conservation supplies to Angola’s Kissama National Park and Chad’s Zakouma National Park (Northern Africa);

With the International League of Conservation Photographers, launched and implemented Rapid Assessment Visual Expeditions (RAVE) in Bioko and Wyoming;

Published the first ever comprehensive study of international wilderness laws and policies in A Handbook on International Wilderness Law and Policy;

Connected people to nature and supported future leaders through Umzi Wethu, our AIDS orphans training program, with numerous projects in Isandlwana village, South Africa; and more;

Celebrated Andrew Muir’s Rolex Award;

Completed the 14th year of publication for the International Journal of Wilderness;

Fully engaged in planning and preparations for WILD9, the 9th World Wilderness Congress (6-13 November 2009, Merida, Mexico);

Participated in the IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature) World Conservation Congress, with the result of strengthened international guidelines for wilderness designation and management practices;

Published the proceedings of the 8th World Wilderness Congress and the first meeting of the Native Lands and Wilderness Council;

And…the list goes on…

It’s been a great year, and we’ve got a lot planned for 2009! Best wishes, and Happy New Year!

That said, Obama is a transformational figure in US and world politics.  His integration of empowerment, leadership, and diversity is a formula for necessary and potential change, the likes of which we have not seen for very many years.  The environment is one of three or four main pillars in his practical vision to restructure American society and the economy. More than just “fixing the parts”, he recognizes that human success – actually, its very existence – emanates from an environmental paradigm, and that only by working within essential ecological realities can we construct a truly sustainable, prosperous, and healthy human society.

His election comes at the back end of an era of just the opposite. The US is now ending 8 years of one of the most environmentally illiterate and politically insensitive American national administrations in history.  At a time when the world was actively looking for leadership in critical environmental matters, upon which our health and economy depend,  the US was not providing leadership and was, in fact, acting against the environmental interests of the world – -in climate change, toxic regulation, energy consumption, consumerism, and more.   That pattern of policy and practice is indisputable, is a matter of public record and, thankfully, is now over.

What can we expect, environmentally, under an Obama administration?  While we all know that the rhetoric of campaigning is generally different from the rhetoric of governing, thus far I’ve been impressed when comparing his words and actions since the election victory.  His announcements within the first four weeks of winning the election have been remarkably consistent with his pronouncements during the campaign.  From all the accounts I’ve received from personal and professional contacts close to his campaign, he implicitly understands that a new industrial, social, and energy frontier is ahead of us, one based on new policies, new jobs, and new revenues emanating from non-petroleum-based, sustainable forms of energy, and a society that respects, protects and sustains its foundation of wild nature.  This will not happen overnight, and there will be political and corporate resistance to such a radical shift in thought and action.

This does not mean that I agree with all of Obama’s ideas and plans. For example his embrace of (a limited amount of) nuclear energy may appear to be part of a “balanced energy policy,” but ignores fundamental economic and environmental realities. I view similarly his early (and now diminished) support of corn-based ethanol.

We all await his choice for Secretary of Interior. Numerous names have been circulated, including Raul Grijalva (HR, Arizona), Mike Thompson (HR, California), Kevin Grover (Director, Smithsonian Museum of American Indian) and John Berry (Former Asst. Secretary of the Interior and Smithosian National Zoo Director). They are all strong advocates for more wilderness.  And there are also numerous things that could be done in the near term to make a difference for US wilderness – - such as to counter the Bush Administration movements against National Forest Roadless Areas, and also to pressure Congress to act on many BLM Wilderness Study Areas (WSAs) that have been stalled there for ages.  The transition team that is interviewing staff and assessing  issues at Interior are receiving good marks from career staff…they even expressed interest in DOIs developing role in WILD9, the 9th World Wilderness Congress (Mexico, November, 2009)

More interesting to me is looking beyond the direct actions that will occur in the environmental sector, to assess how “ecological thinking” will bring other, indirect, yet potentially widespread changes. In a “big picture” analysis, I see three essential characteristics of an Obama-style leadership – collaboration, conservation, and adaptation -that are based on ecological principles and that can be transferred effectively to social, economic, governance, and environmental policy:

• Conservation -Following the 9-11 attacks and the freeze in the US economy, President George W Bush told Americans to “go shopping” in order to support and defend America. President-elect Obama has told people there is no ultimate success without sacrifice, and that change in conditions requires change in behavior. That is not only adult advice, it is based on how nature works…anything out of proportion will ultimately perish.
• Collaboration – Obama is a collaborator, which is an essential ecological practice. Nature may appear to be a contest of the strong vs weak, but that is simply one aspect of a more complex reality. Ecology actually operates on more encompassing principles, such as everything adding its part to the greater ecosystem, of nothing being wasted, etc. In local terms, how do the best human neighborhoods succeed?…through cooperative, shared endeavor, with many different inputs creating stability, protection, and prosperity.
• Adaptation – We live in an imperfect world at a transitional moment, where change is required if the economy is to recover and restructure sustainably, and human society is to be healthy and prosperous. Therefore, in my opinion, the most impressive aspect of Obama’s fledgling leadership is his apparent ability to listen, synthesize information and differing opinions, and make course corrections as he proceeds. This is self-reflective leadership based on pragmatic, intelligent values rather than on ideology and politics. It is an essential aspect of ecology, too – success in nature depends on adaptation. The values aspect of this, however, is the singular human contribution to the greater good — the well-being of our society and the natural world of which we are stewards is based on something other than self-serving ideology or fundamentalism of any sort.

There is no guarantee of success. However, I am enthused about the in-coming Obama administration. Despite the significant obstacles of attitude, self-interest, and infrastructure that lie ahead, I believe we can expect significant changes in environmental policy and practice. Moreover, I think we can also expect  systemic changes in policies that shape and regulate the economy, business and social conditions, and governance, changes based on ecological principles inherent within the wild nature that has birthed and maintained the human race for 3 million years.

The potential for locally run, sustainable tourism enterprise is abounding in the area. Richard Compton (Sunday Tribune) commented, “I need not explain the magnificence of this area, its unspoilt estuaries, its rare and precious ecosystems, its cliffs, waterfalls and rivers and the culture of the people who live there. It is enough to say that one, just one, community tourism operation in the area near Mkhambathi has the capacity to employ 100 local people when (and if) it is fully operational. So just imagine what 10 such facilities, an eminently realizable number as stated by the owner, would provide?”

The local community, the AmaDiba, have stepped into the game: voicing their strong opposition to mining; their disbelief of the government’s promises of infrastructure, local economic benefit and support of the mining proposals, and their knowledge on the issue (confronting accusations that they are not knowledgeable enough on the issues to oppose mining). They have formed an action group, the AmaDiba Crisis Community, to respond to both the government and the mining companies.

Mzamo Dlamini, a spokesperson for the AmaDiba Crisis Community said “This is ridiculous, as we have educated ourselves about the truth about mining, as well as the false claims and lies made by MRC and Xolco [mining companies]. We have visited other rural mining affected communities in South Africa, and we have had visitors from their communities as well as students from other countries in the world share their experience with us. This has taught us about the negative social and environmental impact of mining. We have been unable find even one good example anywhere in the world that shows a positive impact on the quality of life of traditional rural communities after large scale mining developments that have displaced people. The only benefits that come from mining are concentrated in the hands of the few wealthy businessmen and powerful politicians, while the people whose ancestral land has been destroyed have been left worse off than before.”

The AmaDiba Crisis Community now have Richard Spoor, the renowned human rights attorney, representing them in a High Court application challenging the mining license awarded to Mineral Resource Commodities by the South African Minerals and Energy Minister. “They are not desperate for mining in the area, as the minister would have us believe,” said Spoor. “They are not asking for their lives to be turned upside down, their homes smashed, their environment degraded. But the mining legislation as it stands gives them no protection against this. It’s expropriation without agreement, without consultation, without compensation.”

Opinion writer Richard Compton commented, “In my opinion, it is absolutely disgraceful that a region of such extraordinary value can be left in the hands of a government department that is either patently ignorant of this region’s significance, or has little interest in protecting its assets, human and otherwise.”

This is clearly an issue to stay abreast of – local communites taking action to protect their wild-lands is a powerful story and a worthy cause to support.

Sources:

Kockott, Sunday Tribue

Compton, Sunday Tribune

Sustaining the Wild Coast

Media Statement from the AmaDiba Community

Yesterday, after just arriving in Barcelona (a long haul from Boulder, Colo), I was swept away to a meeting of the World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA), of which The WILD Foundation is member.  The meeting proved to be an astounding “who’s who” on the international wilderness scene!  Following the meeting, the WCPA hosted a delicous dinner, with a lively book give away. 

This morning, the WILD team was up early, ready for another big day.  Currently, the WILD 9 Executive Committee is meeting, gathering thoughts, ideas and contacts for WILD 9, the 9th World Wilderness Congress.  There is much to be excited about!

We are all looking forward to the Parade of Boats, opening ceremony and concert by the renowned Tekfen Philharmonic Orchestra, which began at noon today and is ongoing until 9pm tonight.  Tomorrow is a busy day, with the expo center opening and, in the evening, our event to officially launch WILD 9.  More updates soon!

The proposed mine would sit on a spot of tundra near Lake Iliamna – a 1,000 square mile freshwater lake surrounded by native Nondalton, Iliamna and other villages.   The mine promises an economic boost to the now “poor” villages.  The issue is, how do you define “poor?”  In terms of money and economic wealth, yes the villagers could use a  boost. 

But, there are many other riches to be found in this pristine country – sustainable lifestyles consisting of primarily locally harvested foods, including the freshest sockeye salmon, black bear, moose meat, and berries; and tourism based on hunting and fishing.  Now, the hunting and fishing lodges are filling up with mining and company workers and the locals fear that, even from a mine 12 miles away, their food sources will be contaminated. 

What’s the best solution?  Its hard to say – - Will the mine actually bring lasting financial wealth to the local villagers?  Will the containment measures promised by Northern Dynasty keep the air, water and soil clean enough for continued subsistence lifestyles?  What other effects could the mine have on this wilderness area, that provides more services than easily visible – carbon sequestration, social & community values, bio-diversity, and the list goes on.  This debate is not new, nor is it easy….let’s just hope that whatever the result is that people, wilderness & wildlife continue to flourish in the beautiful part of Alaska!

Read more and hear interviews with local villages at NPR.ORG >>

Read his letter of support >>

Learn more about WILD 9, the 9th World Wilderness Congress >>

Nash also raised some very thought provoking ideas for the future of our planet, and I think everyone in the crowd was struck not only by his forward thinking ideas, but also challenged to either agree or come up with their own visions, ideas and plans to get there.  I know I was…I’m still mulling over it.  The evening was capped with a wonderful meal and great conversation.  I’m exhausted…but looking forward to the conversations that tomorrow’s day long symposium promises.  Possibly if I can just act like a sponge, the knowledge and wisdom of these great leaders, writers and wilderness advocates will seep into me!  More tomorrow!

Read the press release from the Dehcho>>>

This type collaboration and sharing of knowledge and vision for a healthy environment is a value which The WILD Foundation has upheld since its inception.  Most recently, we assisted in the convening of the first Native Lands and Wilderness Council, in conjunction with the 8th World Wilderness Congress.  Case Studies compiled from this meeting are now available.

Read more about the Coastal Salish’s collaboration with USGS >>>>

Learn more about the Native Lands and Wilderness Council >>>

1) which sites should remain on the list;

2) which new sites should be added;

3) and which sites are not as threatened as before, and should be removed from the list.

The “List in Danger” includes sites that suffer from pollution, natural disasters, mass tourism, and other threats . The director general of IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature), Julia Marton-Lefèvre, says, “Natural World Heritage sites across the world are facing more and more threats”. Lefèvre goes on to mention mining, tourism, and declining wildlife populations as some reasons for the sites being in danger. Read more about the “Danger List”

A few sites included on the List in Danger are:

• Everglades National Park in the United States –> Removed from the list last year, but the IUCN suggests it be put back on because of risks due to climate change and mercury contamination.
• Western Caucasus in the Russian Federation –> Faces potential threats from the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympic Games due to an influx of people and possibe environmental impacts from the events. 
• Galapagos Islands in Ecuador –> Faces threats from high volume of tourists, introduced species, and illegal fishing 
 • Machu Picchu in Peru–>  In danger due to a large number of uncontrolled visitors (risks of fire,   disease, landslides, etc.) as well as the growth of Aguas Calientes, a town nearby.     
 • Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo –> Faces threats from deforestation, refugees, and poaching

The World Heritage Committee is helping to maintain the beauty of many natural sites all around the world. Potentially even more sites will be added to the list following the session.                                                             
Natural properties submitted for inscription to the World Heritage List:

Quarry of the Fabrica Nacional de Cementos S.A. (FANCESA), Cal Orck’O, Sucre, Departamento Chuquisaca (Bolivia), an extension to the Pirin National Park (Bulgaria), Joggins Fossil Cliffs (Canada), Mount Sanqingshan National Park (China), Lagoons of New Caledonia: Reef Diversity and Associated Ecosystems (France), Surtsey (Iceland), Bradyseism in Phlegraean Area (Italy), Saryarka – Steppe and Lakes of Northern Kazakhstan (Kazakhstan), Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve  (Mexico), Hovsgol Lake and its Watershed (Mongolia), Putorana Plateau Nature Complex (Russia), Swiss Tectonic Arena Sardona (Switzerland), and the Socotra Archipelago (Yemen).

Cultural properties submitted for inscription to the World Heritage List:

Historic Centres of Berat and Gjirokastra – Towns of southern Albania, exceptional testimonies of well-preserved Ottoman settlements in the Balkan region, an extension (Albania), Cultural Landscape of Buenos Aires (Argentina), São Francisco Square in the city of São Cristóvão (Brazil), The Sacred Site of the Temple of Preah Vihear (Cambodia), Fujian Tulou (China), The Stari Grad Plain (Croatia), Urban Historic Scenary Camagüey (Cuba), Spa of Luhačovice – area with a collection of historic spa buildings and spa-related facilities (Czech Republic), Historic Monuments and Sites in Kaesong (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea), The work of Vauban (France), Housing Estates in the Berlin Modern Style (Germany), System of Fortification at the Confluence of the Rivers Danube and Váh in Komárno – Komárom (Hungary / Slovakia), Mountain Railways of India (serial extension to include Kalka Shimla Railway (KSR)) (India), River Island of Majuli in midstream of Brahmaputra River in Assam (India), Cultural Landscape of Bali Province (Indonesia), The Armenian Monastic Ensembles in Iranian Azarbayjan ((Islamic Republic of Iran), The Triple-arch Gate at Dan (Israel), Bahá’i Holy Places in Haifa and Western Galilee (Israel), Mantua and Sabbioneta (Italy), Hiraizumi – Cultural Landscape Associated with Pure Land Buddhist Cosmology (Japan), Sacred Mijikenda Kaya Forests (Kenya), Sulamain-Too Sacred Mountain (Kyrgyzstan), Historic Cities of the Straits of Malacca: Melaka and George Town (Malaysia), Le Morne Cultural Landscape (Mauritius), Protective town of San Miguel and the Sanctuary of Jesús de Nazareno de Atotonilco (Mexico), León Cathedral (Nicaragua), The Kuk Early Agricultural Site (Papua New Guinea), San Marino Historic Centre and Mount Titano (San Marino), Al-Hijr Archaeological Site (Madâin Sâlih) (Saudi Arabia), Wooden Churches of the Slovak part of Carpathian Mountain Area (Slovakia), Palaeolithic Cave Art of Northern Spain (extension to Altamira Cave) (Spain), Rhaetian Railway in the Albula / Bernina Cultural Landscape (Switzerland / Italy), The Antonine Wall (extension to the Frontiers of the Roman Empire) (United Kingdom), Chief Roi Mata’s Domain (Vanuatu).
Visit the World Heritage website!
Check out the official website of the 32nd session of World Heritage Committee!!

Stay tuned for updates on the committee’s decisions!