IUCN World Heritage Outlook: https://worldheritageoutlook.iucn.org/ Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area - 2020 Conservation Outlook Assessment Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area 2020 Conservation Outlook Assessment SITE INFORMATION Country: China Inscribed in: 1992 Criteria: (vii) A spectacular area stretching over more than 26,000 ha in China's Hunan Province, the site is dominated by more than 3,000 narrow sandstone pillars and peaks, many over 200 m high. Between the peaks lie ravines and gorges with streams, pools and waterfalls, some 40 caves, and two large natural bridges. In addition to the striking beauty of the landscape, the region is also noted for the fact that it is home to a number of endangered plant and animal species. © UNESCO SUMMARY 2020 Conservation Outlook Finalised on 02 Dec 2020 GOOD WITH SOME CONCERNS The integrity of the World Heritage site generally, and its natural scenic and aesthetic values in particular, are of low concern but were significantly impacted by rapid tourism growth and burgeoning visitor numbers after the site's World Heritage inscription, which remains a challenge to the management. Targetted management interventions have yielded successful outcomes such as the reduction of air and water pollution, which is now controlled. However a number of necessary management improvements are still outstanding including the simplification of the current management system and agencies responsible for its implementation, and threats in the buffer zone and surrounding lands. Efforts to this end have resulted in an improved state of conservation of Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area in recent years, however maintained action is required to resolve these issues fully in order to continue the positive trajectory. IUCN World Heritage Outlook: https://worldheritageoutlook.iucn.org/ Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area - 2020 Conservation Outlook Assessment FULL ASSESSMENT Description of values Values World Heritage values ▶ An extensive and spectacular landscape of majestic quartz Criterion:(vii) sandstone peaks The quartz sandstone peak forest landscape in Wulingyuan consists of more than 3,000 sandstone columns and peaks, presenting a spectacle unlike any other of its kind in the world. Between the peaks lie ravines and gorges with streams, pools and waterfalls. There are more than 40 caves many containing speleothems, and two huge natural stone bridges, one of which rises 357 m above the valley floor (IUCN, 1992; State Party of China, 2002; World Heritage Committee, 2014). Other important biodiversity values ▶ Diversity of ecosystems with rare, endangered and relict species. Wulingyuan was a refuge for many ancient species of flora and fauna during the Quaternary glaciations. It is home to some 3 000 species of tropical, subtropical and temperate plants, including 600 spp. of woody plants. There are116 species of 50 families of terrestrial vertebrates. Globally endangered animals include the Chinese giant salamander, Chinese water deer, Asiatic wild dog and Asiatic black bear (IUCN, 1992; State Party of China, 2002). Assessment information Threats Current Threats Low Threat Of greatest concern is the explosive growth of tourism in the 20 years since inscription of the property leading to excessive development of facilities, with increased urbanization and commercialism. These threats are being actively managed, with demolitions of illegal buildings having occurred in the past, and further interventions ongoing. Despite some management improvements, rapid increase in visitor numbers with overcrowding at times and environmental impacts remain high threats, and further assessment of the effectiveness of management to reduce these impacts needs to be undertaken. Threats of lesser concern relate to pollution of water and air, modification of river networks and water flows, impacts from local community uses of land and resources, and damage from low- frequency/high- magnitude events especially floods and landslides. ▶ Water Pollution, Air Pollution Low Threat (Pollution of water bodies especially from sewage discharge, and Inside site, localised(<5%) air pollution mainly from from vehicle exhausts.) Water and air pollution from a number of sources, including sewage and vehicles has been identified as a threat. However, this has been addressed by the management of the site such that it is currently a low threat. Monitoring undertaken from 2014 to 2016 indicates that the water quality from the monitoring sections including Longweixi, Shuiraosimen, Wujiayukou, and Huanglongdong are all in line with corresponding requirements, with the former three meeting the class II standard (i.e. drinking IUCN World Heritage Outlook: https://worldheritageoutlook.iucn.org/ Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area - 2020 Conservation Outlook Assessment water) of surface water quality, and Huanglongdong meeting the class III standard. As for air quality, in 2015 and 2016, ambient air quality measured at Yuanjiajie station met the first class standard, while it met the second class standard at Weiyang station (IUCN consultation, 2017). It was reported in the State of Conservation Report of Wulingyuan (State Party of China, 2018) that: the comprehensive environmental management of the property and buffer zone were conducted, the environmental pollution prevention and control projects including water, air, and solid waste pollution were implemented, and integrated managements on river basins were carried out, effective monitoring and controlling the pollution in the property and buffer zone were continuously conducted. The water quality of the surface water monitoring sections in Wulingyuan District was continuously improved through the above operations...with the compliance rate of 100% met the requirements on corresponding functional zones (State Party of China, 2018). It was reported on the official website of Wulingyuan Government (in Chinese) named “Environmental Quality Bulletin of Wulingyuan District in 2018” that in 2018, the number of days with good air quality in the Wulingyuan District was 338, with an excellent or good rate of 96.30%, an increase of 4 percentage points over the previous year (based on the air quality index AQI). ▶ Identity/social cohesion/ changes in local population and Low Threat community that result in negative impact Inside site, extent of threat not known (Local community impacts from housing, agriculture, sewage and waste disposal, firewood collection and hunting) The local government is currently implementing a 'Phase III' resettlement project of local residents in the Wulingyuan World Heritage site and has moved the residents of Tianzishan and Yuanjiajie in the Wulingyuan site to the areas in the buffer zone. To date, 411 households with 1,416 people have reportedly been resettled along with the removal of illegal buildings (UNESCO, 2019). The State Party of China, 2018 report to have included public consultation and a remediation and resettlement plan to encourage voluntary relocation and have made efforts to safeguard traditional cultures of those who have been relocated. However, the State Party should be further encouraged to ensure effective consultation, fair compensation, access to social benefits and skills training, and the preservation of cultural rights. Illegal hunting and collection of firewood (IUCN/UNESCO, 1998; Huang Liangbin 2006; Wei Xiang 2011) reported in the 2014 IUCN World Heritage Outlook are reported to no longer be an issue, due to improvements in living standards and in awareness of the need for protection among the local populace (IUCN Consultation, 2017). The correct guidance and pollution control of agricultural activities in the buffer zone, such as the control of pesticides and the introduction of organic fertilizer and other measures, has reduced the impacts on the site in this regard (UNESCO, 2015). ▶ Dams/ Water Management or Use Low Threat (Modification of river systems and water flows.) Inside site, extent of threat not known Construction of dams and reservoirs for flood control and water uses; dredging of river beds; changes of river courses; constriction of flow discharge due to riverbank protection works and house construction; and filling in of springs have previously been reported (IUCN/UNESCO, 1998; Huang Liangbin 2006; Wei Xiang 2011). In order to strengthen the protection on the Wulingyuan World Heritage, the local government has implemented sustainable water management policies. A so-called 'river chief system' has been established in Wulingyuan with a total of 84 'chiefs' assigned to the scheme, with varying responsibilities at district, town and village level with the aim of better managing the rivers located within Wulingyuan. A number of bans have also been enforced including on plantation of vegetables and crops; setup of buildings and infrastructure; dumping of waste; and unauthorized discharge of sewage within the river management zones (State Party of China, 2018). ▶ Storms/Flooding Low Threat (Increased impacts of low-frequency high-intensity events, Inside site, extent of threat not known especially floods and landslides) Flooding intensity and frequency had been reportedly increasing due to river course alterations and discharge restrictions a number of years ago along with increasing frequency of landslides due to clearing of forests and instability of slopes due to undercutting by road construction (IUCN/UNESCO, 1998; Huang Liangbin 2006; Wei Xiang 2011). No floods are reported to have