IUCN World Heritage Outlook: https://worldheritageoutlook.iucn.org/ Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas - 2020 Conservation Outlook Assessment

Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas

2020 Conservation Outlook Assessment

SITE INFORMATION Country: China Inscribed in: 2003 Criteria: (vii) (viii) (ix) (x)

Consisting of eight geographical clusters of protected areas within the boundaries of the Three Parallel Rivers National Park, in the mountainous north-west of Yunnan Province, the 1.7 million hectare site features sections of the upper reaches of three of the great rivers of Asia: the Yangtze (Jinsha), Mekong and Salween run roughly parallel, north to south, through steep gorges which, in places, are 3,000 m deep and are bordered by glaciated peaks more than 6,000 m high. The site is an epicentre of Chinese biodiversity. It is also one of the richest temperate regions of the world in terms of biodiversity. © UNESCO

SUMMARY

2020 Conservation Outlook Finalised on 02 Dec 2020

SIGNIFICANT CONCERN

The large serial World Heritage site continues to boast extraordinary natural values. However, credible and consistent reports of high level threats including poaching, inadequate tourism planning, illegal wildlife trade amount to high threats to the OUV of the site. Moreover, tensions with local communities, conceptual lack of clarity and a lack of management coherence across the distinct legal, governance and management set-ups of the 15 individual protected areas are worrisome with regards to addressing these threats. Attempted management of the interconnected natural landscape by physically fragmented and not fully representative set of protected areas is highly likely to result in gradual deterioration and loss of ecosystem processes and elements which comprise the site's OUV. The State Party has recently made positive signs such as permanent closure of active mines and permanent suspension of mineral exploration and extraction permits inside the property and its buffer zone. Commitment has also been expressed to monitor the active mine outside of the property with respect to the OUV. The capacity of local civil society to conduct independent monitoring and raise concerns regarding negative impacts from infrastructure development has been seriously diminished over last 15 years, which now allows many large projects to go unchecked. The ongoing construction of large dams have already impacted on the scenic beauty of the valleys and gorges. There are concerns about much deeper impacts though, as the further plans to convert all three major rivers into a series of hydropower dams and reservoirs with associated access and transmission structure amount to a significant landscape transformation. This may be further exacerbated by human-induced geological hazards such as large landslides. Despite the physical location of the infrastructure outside of the property assured IUCN World Heritage Outlook: https://worldheritageoutlook.iucn.org/ Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas - 2020 Conservation Outlook Assessment by the State Party, basic ecology and well-documented experience with large dams elsewhere imply that direct and indirect impacts on the ecosystems are inevitable. IUCN World Heritage Outlook: https://worldheritageoutlook.iucn.org/ Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas - 2020 Conservation Outlook Assessment

FULL ASSESSMENT

Description of values

Values

World Heritage values

▶ Spectacular landscape beauty dominated by three deep Criterion:(vii) parallel river gorges

The deep, parallel gorges of the Jinsha, Lancang and Nu Jiang are the outstanding natural feature of the property; while large sections of the three rivers lie just outside the property boundaries, the river gorges are nevertheless the dominant scenic element in the area (World Heritage Committee, 2011a).

▶ Spectacular mountain and karst scenary Criterion:(vii)

High mountains are everywhere, with the glaciated peaks of the Meili, Baima and Haba Snow Mountains providing a spectacular scenic skyline. The Mingyongqia Glacier is a notable natural phenomenon, descending to 2700 m altitude from Mt Kawagebo (6740 m), and is claimed to be the glacier descending to the lowest altitude for such a low latitude (28° N) in the northern hemisphere. The alpine karst (especially the 'stone moon' in the Moon Mountain Scenic Area above the Nu Jiang Gorge) and the 'tortoise shell' weathering of the alpine Danxia also form outstanding scenic landforms (World Heritage Committee, 2011a).

▶ Outstanding display of major, ongoing geological Criterion:(viii) processes in the evolution of the land surface of Asia

Some 50 million years of ongoing geological history associated with the collision of the Indian Plate with the Eurasian Plate, the closure of the ancient Tethys Sea, and the uplifting of the Himalaya Range and the Tibetan Plateau is evident in the property; all major geological events in the ongoing evolution of the land surface of Asia. This history is illustrated by the diverse rock types present in the property. The range of karst, granite monolith, and Danxia sandstone landforms in the alpine zone are some of the best examples of their type in the world (World Heritage Committee, 2011).

▶ Convergence of three of the world’s major biogeographic Criterion:(ix) realms and an exceptional diversity of ecological processes

The dramatic expression of ecological processes in the property has resulted from a mix of geological, climatic and topographical effects. First, the location of the area within an active orographic belt has resulted in a wide range of rock substrates from igneous (four types) through to various sedimentary types including limestones, sandstones and conglomerates. An exceptional range of topographical features - from gorges to karst to glaciated peaks - is associated with the property being at a "collision point" of tectonic plates. Add the fact that the area was a Pleistocene refugium and is located at a biogeographical convergence zone (i.e. with temperate and tropical elements) and the physical foundations for evolution of its high biodiversity are all present. Along with the landscape diversity with a steep gradient of almost 6000m vertical, a monsoon climate affects most of the area and provides another favourable ecological stimulus that has allowed the full range of temperate Palearctic biomes to develop (World Heritage Committee, 2011a).

▶ Part of the biologically and culturally most diverse area in Criterion:(x) China

The large serial property is situated within the most biodiverse part of China, sometimes referred to as the "Mountains of Southwest China Hotspot" (CEPF, 2002), covering a wide range of natural habitats of the globally significant Hengduan Mountains. CEPF (2002) considers the hotspot to be the "most IUCN World Heritage Outlook: https://worldheritageoutlook.iucn.org/ Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas - 2020 Conservation Outlook Assessment

biologically diverse temperate forest ecosystem in the world". Several characteristics underpin this extraordinary biological wealth, including but not limited to (i) exceptional topographic and climatic diversity and (ii) a location at the juncture of the East Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Tibetan Plateau.

▶ Richest diversity of higher plants in China Criterion:(x)

CEPF (2002) considers the hotspot to be the "most biologically diverse temperate forest ecosystem in the world". The property supports over 6,000 plant species, as well as a remarkable range of fungi and lichen (IUCN, 2003). The plant species are listed and distributed within 22 recognised vegetation types, which range from the savannah shrublands of the hot, dry valley floors, through both evergreen and deciduous forests, and a wide variety of coniferous forests, to alpine meadows. These diverse vegetation communities contain over 20% of China's higher plants and 2,700 of the site's plants are endemic to China (distributed within 45 endemic genera), while 600 of them are endemic to NW Yunnan; the Three Parallel Rivers Protected Areas contains the type locality for 1,500 of these plants. The history of the site has resulted in marked species differentiation from relict and primitive to highly evolved species, and 8.5% of China's rare and endangered species have been recorded in the area. The site contains more than 200 species of rhododendrons, over 100 species each for gentians and primulas, and many species of lily and orchid, as well as many of the most noted Chinese endemic ornamental plants: gingko, the dove tree, four species of the blue poppy and two species of Cycas. The diversity of conifers is outstanding; in addition to dozens of the main mountain forest trees (Abies, Picea, Pinus, Cupressus and Larix), there are many endemic or rare conifers. There are also around 20 rare and endangered plants which are relict species and survived the Pleistocene glaciations, including the Yunnan yew (IUCN, 2003).

▶ Extensive suite of rate, relict and endangered animals Criterion:(x)

The property is considered the, or one of the, last stronghold(s) for an extensive suite of rare and endangered plants and animals (World Heritage Committee, 2011a). The area is the most outstanding region for faunal diversity in China (IUCN, 2003). Two-thirds of the fauna within the nominated site are either endemic, or are of Himalayan-Hengduan Mountain types. The area is believed to support over 25% of China's animal species, many being relict and endangered. Many of China's rare and endangered animals are within the nominated area. Being near the boundaries of the East Asian, Southeast Asian and Tibetan biogeographic realms, the site also acts as a corridor where many species from each realm meet and reach their limits of distribution. Most of the rarer and endangered animals lie in the western part of the site, especially the long, narrow Gaoligong Shan border with Myanmar and the Yunling Mountains between the Lancang and Jinsha Rivers (IUCN, 2003).

Other important biodiversity values

▶ Watershed protection and freshwater biodiversity values

The three rivers which give the property its name are of critical importance for the vast watersheds and their inhabitants and boast a rich and productive freshwater biodiversity (Li et al., 2014; Dudgeon, 2011, IUCN, 2003). Despite the property bearing the direct reference to the rivers in its name, the rivers themselves are regrettably not included in the spatial configuration of the property in any meaningful way, raising questions in terms of the appropriateness of the name.

Assessment information

Threats

Current Threats High Threat

A range of current threats to the site have been identified, most significantly related to mining activities in close proximity to the site, extensive ongoing and planned hydro-electric and water transfer IUCN World Heritage Outlook: https://worldheritageoutlook.iucn.org/ Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas - 2020 Conservation Outlook Assessment

developments, tourism, poaching and wildlife trade. The relationships with resident populations within the property and its buffer zone are compromised by use restrictions and relocation. Cumulative impacts from the dams and associated infrastructure (including transmission infrastructure) still require thorough assessment and understanding by revising the current Strategic Environment Assessment. It is concerning that significant construction has been permitted to take place prior to the completion and approval of Environmental Impact Assessments in the past. However positive actions have been taken by the State Party including: the permanent closure of active mining operations; commitment to ecological restoration of mining sites; permanent suspension of all mineral exploration and extraction permits; monitoring landscape connectivity areas.

▶ Identity/social cohesion/ changes in local population and High Threat community that result in negative impact Outside site (Impacts of major resettlement schemes)

Both reports of Reactive Monitoring missions conducted to the property note major resettlement schemes, often associated with dam construction. Besides associated social and cultural impacts, this raises questions in terms of the breakdown of traditional cultural practices and the erosion of associated knowledge in a region, which has an ancient human history and displays a remarkable coincidence of cultural and biological wealth (UNESCO/IUCN, 2006; IUCN, 2013). The Jinsha River stretch near and upstream of Tiger Leaping Gorge with once rich and diverse Naxi, Yi and Tibetan communities is of particular concern now. Interviews in Septmber 2020 revealed that instability imposed by long-term threat of resettlement and new infrastructure projects contribute to life choices of younger generation in local traditional communities, who seek employment in other population centers away from river gorges. A 5-fold increase in expected resettlement compensation also potentially hints to increasing pressure to continue to resettle local communities in order to develop further infrastructure (Standaert, 2020). Similar detrimental effects of "delayed resettlement" deteriorating economies, cultures and community dynamics in areas of planned damming are widely known around the world. Monitoring the impacts of resettlement schemes is becoming increasingly challenging with activities both of organized NGOs and local activists being increasingly suppressed in China. For example, the only independent conservation NGO following issues in Yunnan (Green Watershed) had to dissolve in 2019 and in Longpan dam (TLG) area in early 2017 the leader of the protest from Hutiaoxia Town was prevented by Yunnan authorities from going to International Rivergathering Conference in Tbilisi and subsequently silenced (footnote 7 to the Letter from locals to the UNESCO WHC, February 2020).

▶ Other Biological Resource Use High Threat (Poaching and wildlife trade) Inside site, extent of threat not known Outside site Although the current status and trends of wildlife appear to be poorly understood, there are many credible hints at poaching and wildlife trade being severe threats at least in parts of the World Heritage property. Zhang et al. (2008) provide an alarming overview of commercial trade in wildlife in Southwest China. The 2013 Reactive Monitoring mission notes publicly available assessments by TRAFFIC indicating limited management responses to wildlife trade, negative trends reported to the mission in personal communication and a possibly particularly challenging situation near the international border with Myanmar (IUCN, 2013).

▶ Renewable Energy Very High Threat (Extensive ongoing and planned hydropower development) Outside site

Proposals and construction of multiple large dams on the three rivers that give the site its name have been a cause for major concern for many years. Since inscription the WH Committee has expressed concern on every possible occasion (WH Committee, 2003-2019). In 2013 there were a total of 13 large proposed hydro-power dams, with six alone on the Lancang (or Upper Mekong) River (IUCN, 2014). Construction had already started on five dams, of which four were on the Lancang River (i.e. the Lidi, Tuoba, Huangdeng, and Dahuaqiao dams), and one (the Liyuan dam) on the Jinsha River. EIAs for none of these dams had been completed or approved prior to the commencement of (in some cases large scale) preparatory construction. The EIAs also ignore the inevitable cumulative impacts and lack sufficient information about the planned location and expected impacts of transmission infrastructure. IUCN World Heritage Outlook: https://worldheritageoutlook.iucn.org/ Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas - 2020 Conservation Outlook Assessment

The 13 proposed dams are part of the “West-East Electricity Transfer Project”, which is not restricted to Northwest Yunnan. Some reports suggest that many more dams are planned further away from the property on the same rivers (Li et al., 2014; IUCN, 2013; Yan, 2013; Wang, 2006). Although all hydropower projects are located outside the property and its buffer zone, the visual integrity of the property recognized under criterion (vii) will be strongly affected (IUCN, 2013; WH Committee, 2017). The IUCN mission also highlighted that - despite locations outside the boundaries of the property - the dams are likely to have impacts on the complex linkages between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, as well as on wildlife corridors and landscape connectivity (IUCN, 2013). Nujiang River now remains the only river (out of three that gave the property its name) that retains a relatively natural state with hydropower developments being suspended repeatedly in the past (WH Committee, 2019). The Jinsha River stretch near and upstream of Tiger Leaping Gorge since 2018 is affected by large-scale water-transfer project likely interrelated with development of large Longpan Hydropower station, formerly known as Hutiaoxia Hydro(Letter to the WHC and conservation NGOs from local residents, 2019). According to the paper by Chinese authors the planned Longpan large reservoir in upper Jinsha is a perfect climate adaptation tool, since it can increase power generation, reduce spill and alleviate uneven output during flood seasons and dry seasons remarkably. (Liu et al., 2020). Perceived desirability of Longpan large reservoir could be also increased by insufficient augmentation of Yangtze floods by existing reservoirs in 2020. In 2019, the China Three Gorges Co. subsidiary acquired a substantial share in the company responsible for Longpan Dam , which increases likelihood of its construction (Shanghai Stock-Exchange Notice, 2019). Further construction of dams would replace natural river valley with a chain of reservoirs all along the Jinsha river adjacent to the property. Besides social impacts, it will drastically change microclimate, habitat conditions for aquatic biota, and may extend secondary impacts on ecosystems up the slope, for example induce landslides.

▶ Roads/ Railroads, Utility / Service Lines High Threat (Dam-related road and transmission infrastructure) Outside site

Road construction, including the upgrading and widening of existing roads is inevitably required for the major dam construction projects and ambitious tourism development plans. The same holds true for the inevitable transmission infrastructure hydropower dams require.

▶ Tourism/ visitors/ recreation Low Threat (Localized overcrowding of visitors and inadequate tourism Inside site, extent of threat not known planning)

The General Management Plan expected tourism to increase five-fold following inscription (IUCN, 2003). Challenges with localized tourism impacts and inadequate tourism planning have been raised in mission reports and State of Conservation reports (IUCN, 2013; UNESCO/IUCN, 2006; UNESCO, 2017, 2015).

▶ Mining/ Quarrying Low Threat (Mining) Inside site, extent of threat not known Outside site The WH Committee (2010) partially approved a Minor Boundary Modification excluding mining from the property, which predated the WH inscription and had not been detected during the technical evaluation (IUCN, 2003). The State Party has committed to monitor the landscape connectivity and wildlife between the Hong Shan and Haba Snow Mountain components where active mining continues (State Party, 2018). Following many years of scrutiny, in the 2018 report the State Party confirmed that all mineral exploration and extraction had been closed and terminated, including illegal mining and quarrying. All permits inside the property and in the buffer zone were also permanently suspended (State Party of China, 2018). The level of threat from mining has therefore decreased but continued monitoring and law enforcement are needed to prevent any illegal mining activities (UNESCO, 2019).

Potential Threats High Threat

Hydropower development and water transfer schemes remain the most significant potential threat to the property. Even though all of the known planned dams are technically located outside the property, the IUCN World Heritage Outlook: https://worldheritageoutlook.iucn.org/ Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas - 2020 Conservation Outlook Assessment

individual and cumulative direct and indirect impacts of the dams and associated access and transmission are undoubtedly significant. Information on transmission and access infrastructure remains scarce. Concerns boil down to an intensification of the existing threats on many facets of the World Heritage values. Impacts can be expected due to altered hydrological regimes, pollution and sedimentation, impacts on aquatic life, landscape beauty, impacts arising from associated access and other infrastructure; impacts arising from human resettlement and socio-economic change.

▶ Renewable Energy Very High Threat (Further river modifications for hydropower development and Outside site water transfer)

Further to the documented concerns about massive hydropower development and water transfer schemes detailed above, there were reports of even more ambitious plans to modify the main rivers in the past (Li et al. 2014). However no such proposals are known at present. The State Party has also acknowledged the need to improve the 2016 Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) focussing on mining, hydropower and associated infrastructure, and the WH Committee has strongly urged the State Party not to consider any further development until the SEA has been completed (WH Committee, 2019). Some locals report that Longpan Dam is planned now with reduced size (Sandaert, 2020), however, climate adaptation considerations may dictate the opposite logic of maximizing the size to control floods and increased dry-season production of electricity by the whole cascade. Upstream from the planned Longpan dam in the valley areas immediately adjacent to the World Heritage Site, the Xulong Hydro just received EIA approval in 2020 (news.bjx.com.cn, 2020) and Benzilan Hydro awaits such approval (Standaert, 2020).

▶ Avalanches/ Landslides, Erosion and Siltation/ Deposition Data Deficient (Natural and infrastructure-induced geological hazards, especially Inside site, extent of threat not known reservoir-induced landslides.) Outside site

Recently much attention has been paid by scientists to geological hazards in river valleys of Tibetan Plateau. Increased human activities likely result in increased probability and severity of large landslides, which, besides threatening social sphere, affect valley landforms and vegetation, block rivers with creation of barrier lakes, create threat of catastrophic floods, etc. Many of the geological hazards elsewhere in Yangtze Valley (e.g. Three Gorges and Xilodu reservoir areas -see Zhai, Fan Jin 2017) are known to be human induced. Giant landslides in Jinsha Valley in 2018 show that in areas in immediate vicinity of the WHproperty there is high potential for catastrophic landslides, likely, associated\exacerbated with hydropower and road construction. In 2017-18 landslides in Jinsha river valley affected at least three dam construction sites and hydropower companies provided the main workforce to fight consequences (Xinhua, 2018). Further development of hydropower, especially with large impoundments (like Longpan dam) may result in increasing geological hazards due to grater human activity, road construction, changing microclimate and induced seismicity among potential triggering factors. Both natural landslide dynamics and its modification by reservoir building should be thoroughly explored in relation to all OUVs they may affect as well as their socio-economic effects which may generate seconadry impacts of OUVs.

Overall assessment of threats High Threat

The range of major threats to the property includes tourism, poaching and wildlife trade, mining activity, hydro-power development and water transfer schemes. The scale of the planned hydropower development and water transfer schemes poses the greatest actual and potential threat to the property and the wider mountain landscape it will inevitably transform. The ratification of the "Ecological Conservation Redline" by the Yunnan Province prohibits all development inside the property and its buffer zone but threats from beyond the boundary still remain a concern. The ongoing transformation of the main rivers which are key features of the landscape and its ecology and IUCN World Heritage Outlook: https://worldheritageoutlook.iucn.org/ Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas - 2020 Conservation Outlook Assessment

aesthetics greatly threatens the values which comprise the site's Outstanding Universal Value.

Protection and management

Assessing Protection and Management

▶ Management system Mostly Effective

Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas is a large serial property, for which an overall master plan was approved in 2012. The past coordination and management challenges with the property due to the property falling within multiple authorites appears to have been alleviated through the recent institutional reform, but its effectiveness is yet to be seen. The responsibilty and mandate now all fall with the National Forestry and Grassland Administration (State Party of China, 2018).

▶ Effectiveness of management system Some Concern

The WH Committee (2013) requested the implementation of the 2013 IUCN Reactive Monitoring mission recommendation that a comprehensive Management Effectiveness Assessment be elaborated and conducted for the entire World Heritage property. The State Party of China (2016) expressed its agreement with the request and has since been working on corresponding follow-up, acknowledging a “necessity to refine the management measures, policy and law”. in 2018 the State Party again expressed its commitment to undertake the Management Effectiveness Assessment after the institutional reform, which would enhance the management coherence across the serial property under the leadership of the National Forestry and Grassland Administration (State Party of China, 2018; UNESCO, 2019). Despite this positive response, the scale and complexity of the configuration combined with the parallel challenges of major transformations of the landscape and social systems implies a long road ahead.

▶ Boundaries Some Concern

Contrary to what the name of the property implies, the large serial World Heritage property is for the most part separated from the actual river courses and most of the spectacular gorges. Only one of the three major rivers, the Lancang, runs within the property’s boundaries, albeit for a short distance only. This is on the one hand understandable as the lower elevations have been subject to longer and more intense human use than the more “natural” higher elevations. At the same time, the conservation values of the lower elevations are systematically excluded and thus not represented in the property. At a time when all three major rivers are subject to fundamental transformation, eventual discussion of the appropriateness of the property name appears to be unavoidable. There appears to be some confusion about the buffer zones which have at times been incorrectly interpreted as belonging to the property (IUCN, 2013). As noted elsewhere, the property is located within and an important and integral part of the globally recognized Mountains of Southwest China Biodiversity Hotspot. It is clear that the extraordinary natural (and cultural) values do not coincide with the administrative boundaries of Yunnan Province, implying a potential for extensions beyond the province (IUCN, 2013). Given that hydropower construction is losing relevance to further energy system development in China, it is theoretically possible to improve design and cohesion of the property boundaries by including critical sections of the Nujiang River valley if not to the core zone, then into buffer zone of the property, which will ensure protection of the last free flowing river of this part of China.

▶ Integration into regional and national planning systems Some Concern

Values and protection needs of the WH property do not appear to be adequately considered in national and regional planning for hydroelectric development. However, the reported development of an overarching institutional and planning framework under the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, including the elaboration of a Strategic Master Plan for Regional Development beyond the property are encouraging signs (State Party of China, 2018; UNESCO, 2019). In 2018, Yunnan Province also ratified an “Ecological Conservation Redline”, which prohibits all development inside the IUCN World Heritage Outlook: https://worldheritageoutlook.iucn.org/ Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas - 2020 Conservation Outlook Assessment

property and its buffer zones (State Party of China, 2018). Publicly available map of "red lines" (State Party of China, 2019) shows that sections of Nu River and Jinsha River where dams were planned have not been protected behind "red lines" and in general "redlining" was not planned specifically for enhancing WH property integrity and protection.

▶ Relationships with local people Serious Concern

Forced relocation and conflicts between protected areas and local livelihoods had been raised in the past (IUCN, 2013; UNESCO/IUCN, 2006) and a number of local community disputes have been reported (UNESCO et al., 2012). More recently, the State Party has reported of efforts to engage more with local communities, including indigenous people in the management of the property and its buffer zone, and in the tourism industry (State Party of China, 2018). Recent reports also indicate that local communities have signed a land reclamation agreement, thereby indicating a move towards a concensual rather than a forced relocation (IUCN Consultation, 2020). Several state-directed NGO and community efforts are underway to decrease pressures from local communities on the natural ecosystems (e.g. LIHE, 2020). At the same time (as indicated in threat section) large infrastructure projects go on without much consent from local communities and any opposition is being silenced. Therefore conditions for genuine free participation of local stakeholders in defining and implementing sustainable development process (including protection of WHproperty has significantly deteriorated over last 15 years (Standaert 2020)

▶ Legal framework Some Concern

China has no overarching protected areas legislation and no single and coherent national protected areas system (IUCN, 2013). The 15 individual protected areas that jointly make up the serial property in several clusters are subject to different national and provincial laws and regulations, including as national and provincial level nature reserves and national scenic areas. While this is not per se negative this complexity obstacles the harmonized overall approach required in serial WH properties. Specific legislation applicable includes the Regulations of the People’s Republic of China on Scenic and Historic Interest Areas (2006), Regulations of Yunnan Province on Management of the Scenic and Historic Interest Areas (1996), Regulations of Yunnan Province on Protection of the TPR World Heritage Site (2005), The Regulations of the People’s Republic of China on Nature Reserves (1994). The evolution of the overarching institutional and planning framework under the National Forestry and Grassland Administration shows encouraging signs (State Party of China, 2018). In the context of major current and future hydropower and water transfer projects China's 2006 Law on Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) has given provisions for public involvement in EIA processes (IUCN, 2013).

▶ Law enforcement Data Deficient

The effectiveness of law enforcement in the property is not known in any detail.

▶ Implementation of Committee decisions and Some Concern recommendations

Many commitments have been expressed by the State Party in response to the WH Committee's decisions, but not all have led to tangible, timely actions and results. Repeated requests by the WH Committee in every decisions since the WH inscription to refrain from dam construction in the absence of approved, appropriate EIAs (WH Committee, 2017, 2015, 2013, 2012, 2011a, 2010a, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, and 2003) have not been responded to. Positive expressions of commitments have been made to respond to the WH Committee's request pertaining to the assessment of impacts of power transmission lines and transformation facilities on the OUV, restore mining sites, monitor the actively mined areas outside the property, and acknowledging the need to improve the SEA and develop a Management Effectiveness Assessment system (State Party of China, 2018). Actions beyond a commitment is yet to be seen. Activities that can be considered to have met the Committee's request includes permanent closure of active mining operations and permanently suspending all mineral exploration and extraction permits within the property and its buffer zone (State Party of China, 2018).

▶ Sustainable use Data Deficient

Insufficient information available. The relatively recent establishment of large protected areas in areas IUCN World Heritage Outlook: https://worldheritageoutlook.iucn.org/ Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas - 2020 Conservation Outlook Assessment

traditionally inhabited and used by local communities can be expected to raise the same questions it does in any rural setting. There are conflicts between governmental conservation measures and local needs and interests (Zhou et al., 2011). The most drastic form of conflict is the relocation of communities. While there are clear hints at such common and predictable conflicts, analysis of the exact situation is beyond the scope of this exercise.

▶ Sustainable finance Some Concern

The State Party is strongly committed to the property - and World Heritage more broadly - and has been heavily and steadily investing in the property. Additional project funds supplement funding. Financing per se does not appear to be a major bottleneck. Rather, the conceptual clarity of investment and the coherence across of investment across the complex and large serial property appear to be the challenges.

▶ Staff capacity, training, and development Data Deficient

Staff training and development is insufficiently known to permit an informed assessment.

▶ Education and interpretation programs Some Concern

Awareness-raising and interpretation is restricted to a limited number of information centers.

▶ Tourism and visitation management Serious Concern

Tourism development and promotion are explicit management priorities (State Party of China, 2018, 2016, 2015, 2013). However, tourism and recreation planning appear to be mostly absent and disconnected from conservation planning, with apparently few requirements for prior assessment of environmental impacts (IUCN, 2013). A Management Plan for the property is currently under development, which will include tourism planning and carrying capacity (IUCN Consultation, 2020).

▶ Monitoring Serious Concern

The helpful selective surveys for a limited number of species have generated important information while not amounting to a systematic monitoring approach. Baseline data to better understand the current status of wildlife and to detect trends in the future are needed (IUCN, 2013). The State Party has expressed its commitment to comply with the WH Committee's requests and IUCN's recommendation to monitor the landscape connectivity and wildlife between Hong Shan and Haba Snow Mountain components where active mining continues (State Party of China, 2018) but this is yet to be realised. The effects of the major transformation of all three major rivers which give the property its name, should likewise be monitored.

▶ Research Some Concern

Important research has been undertaken on all sorts of aspects of the cultural and natural heritage of the mountain are has been conducted. Similar to monitoring efforts, it does not amount to a coherent approach which could help management in its efforts to move towards a more coherent management of the serial property.

Overall assessment of protection and management Some Concern

The State Party has covered new ground by successfully nominating a large and unusually complex serial property. The recent institutional reform and nomination of the National Forestry and Grassland Administration as the coordinating institution should alleviate the past challenges with management. A strategy for tourism management and monitoring within the property are still major gaps. However, the major challenges to the management of the property, relate to threats which originate outside the site's boundaries, namely the development of hydropower and it's subsequent effects on the site's values *see Assessment of the effectiveness of protection and management in addressing threats outside the site for more details. IUCN World Heritage Outlook: https://worldheritageoutlook.iucn.org/ Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas - 2020 Conservation Outlook Assessment

▶ Assessment of the effectiveness of protection and Serious Concern management in addressing threats outside the site

Governmental decision-making on large scale hydropower development and water transfer schemes does not adequately take into account the protected areas, let alone their World Heritage status, despite their location within one of the world's most biodiverse regions. The simplistic argument that the World Heritage values may not be affected due to the dams and infrastructure being physically located outside of the property boundaries is not in line with basic ecological concepts even when one ignores the fundamental changes to the freshwater systems. The State Party's willingness to update the SEA is positive but this is urgently required to avoid any negative impacts on the OUV. Rather than addressing threats from the outside, the State Party engages in one of the world's largest infrastructure projects in the immediate vicinity of the property.

State and trend of values

Assessing the current state and trend of values

World Heritage values

▶ Spectacular landscape beauty dominated by three deep High Concern parallel river gorges Trend:Deteriorating

From the perspective of the overall landscape beauty, concerns about localized impacts from tourism and mining pale against the large-scale transformation of the three rivers giving the property its name. The landscape beauty has already been strongly affected and further construction of dams and associated access and transmission infrastructure will inevitably result in substantial further visual impacts (IUCN, 2013).

▶ Spectacular mountain and karst scenary Low Concern Trend:Stable

The main threats facing the property are not likely linked to the glaciated peals and the scenic land forms of the property. Climate change, affecting WH properties globally, will inevitably affect the glaciers but no data is currently available on the extent of impact at present. Climate change and infrastructure development also may seriously intensify frequency an magnitude of landslides and other geological hazards, a risk, which has not been fully assessed throughout the property. major landslides are definitely affecting scenery of mountain slopes.

▶ Outstanding display of major, ongoing geological Data Deficient processes in the evolution of the land surface of Asia Trend:Data Deficient

There has been no evidence to suggest that the geological and geomorphologic values of the property have been diminished at the level of ongoing processes despite major construction projects. As mentioned above, while landslides and earthquakes are part of natural dynamics they may be changed significantly by human intervention such as reservoir construction and filling. After major landslides upstream from the property in Jinsha River valley in 2018 this process requires urgent assessment.

▶ Convergence of three of the world’s major biogeographic Low Concern realms and an exceptional diversity of ecological processes Trend:Deteriorating

Boundary modifications due to mining areas which were inadvertently included in the original nomination may have excluded some areas of value from the property. Ongoing and potential future mining operations may have impacts on the connectivity between the Hong Shan and Haba Snow Mountain components of the property but the State Party has expressed its commitment to monitor landscape connectivity and wildlife. A range of other threats may also be impacting ecological IUCN World Heritage Outlook: https://worldheritageoutlook.iucn.org/ Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas - 2020 Conservation Outlook Assessment

processes, including poorly planned tourism development. However, the most fundamental concerns stem from the landscape transformation resulting from massive hydropower and water transfer schemes.

▶ Part of the biologically and culturally most diverse area in High Concern China Trend:Deteriorating

Assumption or claims that the impacts of some of the world’s most ambitious hydropower and water transfer programmes can be separated from the conservation status of nearby protected areas because the infrastructure's physical location outside of the protected area boundaries are not tenable on the grounds of basic ecology. Ecosystems are by definition open and there are complex inter-relationships in the between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. While the freshwater biodiversity will inevitably and directly be affected from major river modifications, terrestrial systems will also be affected by additional road and transmission infrastructure, disturbance and new barriers to landscape connectivity. Nujiang now remains the last of the remaining free flowing river in the property not altered by hydropower. Combined with pressure on flora and fauna from illegal trade and poaching, the overall concern is high.

▶ Richest diversity of higher plants in China Low Concern Trend:Deteriorating

The property is home to numerous endemic and endangered plants. Whilst hydropower development, road construction and other associated activities are located outside of the property, ecological connectivity with the landscape beyond the property boundaries will impact its floral diversity. No data is available and this emphasizes the need for long term monitoring.

▶ Extensive suite of rate, relict and endangered animals High Concern Trend:Deteriorating

Poaching and illegal wildlife trade, together with ever increasing pressures for hydropower development in the wider ecosystem and its associated infrastructure development such as roads, is leading to mounting pressure on the endemic and endangered species.

Summary of the Values

▶ Assessment of the current state and trend of World High Concern Heritage values Trend: Deteriorating

The serial property covers some 960,000 hectares. Despite this vast size, the configuration of the property is strongly biased towards the higher altitudes, thereby failing to cover a full representation of the diverse landscape. The rivers themselves and major dramatic canyons, which are key visual landscape features and the basis for the property’s name, are systematically missing in the property. While this can reasonably be interpreted as a growing mismatch between the property’s configuration, its name and the applicability of criterion (vii) due to the transformation of the three major rivers for hydropower generation, the concerns about the biodiversity values are even more important. The landscape transformation through major infrastructure development coincides with pressure from poaching and illegal collection and trade, while resettlements mean the end of a longstanding interaction between a landscape and its traditional inhabitants and users. The cumulative impact of these threats render the current state of the World Heritage values of high concern and deteriorating.

▶ Assessment of the current state and trend of other Data Deficient important biodiversity values Trend: Data Deficient

The mountains of Northwest Yunnan are renowned for the coincidence of an exceptionally diverse cultural and natural heritage. Along with the natural heritage, there are clear indications that the traditional cultures are similarly exposed to important threats. IUCN World Heritage Outlook: https://worldheritageoutlook.iucn.org/ Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas - 2020 Conservation Outlook Assessment

Additional information

Benefits

Understanding Benefits

▶ Outdoor recreation and tourism, Natural beauty and scenery

The renowned mountain area offers attractive options for outdoor recreation and tourism which are actively being developed and promoted (State Party of China, 2003).

▶ Access to drinking water

Three of Asia's most important rivers benefit from the protection the property grants to considerable parts of the watersheds with major benefits ranging from the local to the international level (IUCN, 2003).

▶ Legal subsistence hunting of wild game, Collection of wild plants and mushrooms, Fishing areas and conservation of fish stocks, Traditional agriculture, Livestock grazing areas

The entire region has a long human history. Use of wild biodiversity, livestock husbandry and small- scale agriculture have all been part of the local livelihood systems at all times. While the use restrictions in protected areas strongly affect these benefits, the protected areas contribute to maintaining the biodiversity and productivity of the broader mountain ecosystem.

▶ Cultural identity and sense of belonging, History and tradition, Sacred or symbolic plants or animals, Sacred natural sites or landscapes

Many mountains, lakes, springs, rivers and individual trees are considered sacred by local communities (Jaeger et al., 2013).

▶ Importance for research

There can be no doubt that large protected areas in China's most biodiverse region is of major scientific interest and importance.

▶ Carbon sequestration, Soil stabilisation, Flood prevention, Water provision (importance for water quantity and quality)

The property contains important forest areas, which provide the full range of corresponding ecosystem services, including but not limited to carbon sequestration, water provision and regulation and soil stabilization.

▶ Direct employment, Tourism-related income, Provision of jobs

While tourism development will only be possible in selected occasions, it will offer income and employment opportunities. IUCN World Heritage Outlook: https://worldheritageoutlook.iucn.org/ Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas - 2020 Conservation Outlook Assessment

Summary of benefits

Many of the tangible ecosystem benefits which traditionally formed part of local livelihood systems are compromised by the use restrictions in the protected areas. Nevertheless, the protected areas contribute to the maintenance of the productivity of the landscape. Traditional communities consider mountains, rivers and many other landscape features sacred. Tourists appreciate the scenic beauty of the mountains, canyons and forests. Tourism in turn comes with income and employment opportunities. From a regional and global perspective, the property contributes to the watershed protection of parts of the headwaters of several of Asia’s mightiest rivers, which provide ecosystem services to millions of downstream users in several countries. IUCN World Heritage Outlook: https://worldheritageoutlook.iucn.org/ Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas - 2020 Conservation Outlook Assessment

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