Protected Areas and World Heritage Programme

Guidelines for Protected Area Management Categories

SNARES ISLANDS NATURE RESERVE, New Zealand

National designation Originally declared a "reserve for lighthouse purposes", the Snares Islands were subsequently reserved for the preservation of their flora and fauna in 1961. The islands were automatically classified as a nature reserve when the Reserves Act of 1977 became operative in 1978. The total area of the reserve is 328ha, covering the islands and their forshores.

Legal basis of management Under the Reserves Act, the purpose of a nature reserve is to protect and preserve in perpetuity indigenous flora and fauna or natural features that are of such rarity, scientific interest or importance or so unique that their protection and preservation are in the public interest.

In situ management Objectives outlined in the management plan conform to the statutory requirements of the Reserves Act. The desired goals are to perpetuate the natural values and features of the reserve, while reconciling necessary management activities and uses of the reserve within the context of the national and international protected areas system. Research is permitted provided it has no permanent detrimental effects on plant or animal populations or community relationships. Collection of scientific specimens is generally prohibited. Entry is permitted primarily for scientific research and management purposes, and controlled by a permit system. Tourists may not land on the islands. There is a limited number of moorings for fishermen, but this will be phased out to minimise risks of introducing rodents to the islands. The management authority cooperates with the Ministry of Defence in surveillance, enforcement and support aspects of reserve management.

Geography The Snares Islands lie 209km south-west of Bluff on South Island. There is a main group of islands, of which the 280ha North East Island is the largest, and a subsidiary chain of rocks to the south-east that is known as the Western Chain. All of the islands are bordered by steep cliffs, except along their eastern coastlines.

Nature conservation values The Snares are of immense scientific value, being among the world's most important island sanctuaries. The vegetation is virtually unmodified by human activity, and the Snares are among the few islands anywhere in the world still without any introduced mammals. The islands have an estimated population of 6 million breeding seabirds. Seabirds include the endemic Snares crested penguin, and there are three endemic species of land birds.

Cultural and social values There has been no permanent human occupation of the islands, even by prehistoric peoples. A sealing gang of four men was marooned on the islands between 1810 and 1818.

Reasons for classification as Ia (Strict Nature Reserve) The Snares are immensely important subantarctic islands, being virtually pristine and free of introduced mammals. They are strictly protected to safeguard plant and animal populations, and natural processes. Research and monitoring is permitted to better understand these processes, provided they do not have any long-term detrimental effects. There is no access for tourists.

National designation Sundarbans was established as a national park in 1984 under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. It covers 133,010ha of land and sea owned by the state government of West Bengal.

Legal basis of management As an area of ecological importance under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, the wildlife and environment is protected, with all rights vested in the state government. Destruction, exploitation or removal of any wildlife or its habitat is prohibited, unless authorised and provided it is in the interests of the wildlife.

In situ management The park comprises the strictly protected core zone of the Sundarbans Tiger Reserve (258,500ha), and is completely closed to all forms of activity including tourism. The surrounding buffer zone is used for multiple purposes under a permit system.

Geography The Sundarbans covers one million hectares of mangrove, of which 40% is in India and the rest in Bangladesh. It is part of the world's largest delta (eight million hectares) formed from sediments deposited by three great rivers (Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna). The entire area is intersected by an intricate network of waterways. The Indian Sundarbans has become virtually cut off from the main freshwater sources over the last 600 years. Its waterways are maintained largely by the diurnal tidal flow.

Nature conservation values The Sundarbans is among the most extensive remaining areas of mangrove in the world, with a rich and unique biota. Its population of 270 tigers is the largest in India. The mangroves buffer inland areas from the ravages of cyclones in the Bay of Bengal, and provide the main nursery for shrimps along the entire eastern coast of India, as well spawning grounds for of fish and crustaceans. They are the only habitat remaining in the lower Bengal Basin for a variety of faunal species. Some faunal diversity has been lost in the last century due to land reclamation for agriculture, and higher salinity levels caused by irrigation schemes in the upper reaches of the Ganges.

Cultural and social values Baghmara Forest Block contains the ruins of a city built by a merchant community in 200-300 AD. Much later, the Sundarbans provided a refuge from the advancing armies of the Moghul King Akbar. The tiger reserve today is completely uninhabited, but over 35,000 people annually collect timber, fuel-wood, honey and other forest products, and fish from the area buffering the park.

Reasons for classification as Ia (Strict Nature Reserve) The National Park constitutes a large, strictly protected core area of unmodified mangrove representative of the vast Sundarbans ecosystem. It is free of human intervention and public access is prohibited. Scientific research may be permitted.

¹Most Indian national parks provide for tourism and, therefore, qualify for inclusion in IUCN Management Category II. Sundarbans National Park is one of a few exceptions.

CABO BLANCO BIOLOGICAL RESERVE, Costa Rica

Lying at the southernmost tip of the Nicoya Peninsula and including the offshore island of Cabo Blanco, this reserve protects 1172ha of important primary forest and island ecosystems on the Pacific coast. Under the 1990 Reform of the Forestry Law, it provides for conservation and research on wildlife and habitats. It is totally protected from all human activities, other than scientific research.

MOUNT NIMBA STRICT NATURE RESERVE, Guinea

Comprising 13,000ha of the 'Guinean Backbone', a geological feature which rises 1000m above the surrounding landscape, Mount Nimba is internationally important for its rare and endemic flora and fauna. Ordonnance No.007/République de Guinée/SGG/90 provides for the complete protection of the site as a strict nature reserve and its maintenance in an undisturbed state. Scientific research is permitted. The strict nature reserve constitutes the core zone of the Réserve de la biosphére des Monts Nimba.

North-east Bailey is a small (100ha) rocky area within the Australian Antarctic Territory, rich in moss, liverwort and lichen communities. Notified as an Site of Special Scientific Interest under the Agreed Measures for Conservation of the Antarctic Flora and Fauna of the Antarctic Treaty (1960), it is strictly protected for scientific research. According to the management plan, access to the site is only for scientific research and restricted to existing access routes. No helicopter landing is permitted. Storage or disposal of any products is prohibited.

Covering 34,600ha of desert, Repetekskiy is representative of the eastern Kara Kums, with a flora and fauna that includes some highly specialized endemics adapted to moving sands. Repetekskiy is strictly protected to safeguard its desert ecosystems and associated wildlife, and to provide for scientific research under the Principles of Land Legislation. It is zoned into a completely undisturbed core of 15,000ha and an experimental buffer of 19,600ha where pastoral activities are permitted for experimental purposes. Public access is prohibited. The Repetekskiy Sand Desert Research Station has been in operation since 1928.

National designation Most (95%) of Admiralty Island is a national monument under Presidential Proclamation No. 4611, 1978. In 1980, approximately 97% of the national monument was designated as wilderness under the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act, the other 3% remaining monument non-wilderness to allow for development of a large mine. The name of the site was changed from Admiralty Island Wilderness to Kootznoowoo Wilderness under the Admiralty Island National Monument Land Management Act, 1990. The national monument comprises 379,376ha, of which 370,068ha is Kootznoowoo Wilderness. Land is owned by the federal government.

Legal basis of management Management as a national monument, with its emphasis on research and interpretation of notable resources, is subject to the more restrictive mandates prescribed under the Wilderness Act, 1964 and Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act. The former Act provides for the enjoyment of the American people in such manner as to leave wilderness unimpaired for future use, and for the protection of wilderness and preservation of its wilderness character. The latter, more lenient legislation provides for continuation of traditional human uses and lifestyles which would otherwise be prohibited under the Wilderness Act.

In situ management The overall objective is to retain an environment that, principally, is without human influence. Administration is the responsibility of the US Forest Service. Use of the wilderness is restricted only where a specific activity is not in accordance with the applicable law or where such activity would significantly damage the site. In accordance with the management plan, the site is zoned into four classes of recreation area, ranging from primitive (remote, undeveloped and inaccessible areas) to semi-primitive (developed areas providing a convenience-oriented wilderness experience). Management of human activities is specified for all biological and cultural resources.

Geography Admiralty Island lies in south-east Alaska. The Admiralty Lakes occupy the centre of the island. To the north and south the terrain is mountainous.

Nature conservation values The island supports cool, moist rain forest that extends along the Pacific coast. Most of the forest is old-growth evergreen conifer of western hemlock and sitka spruce, mixed with muskeg bog communities. Alpine tundra occurs above 1000m and includes several unique species. The island has 900 breeding pairs of bald eagle, the highest density in North America, and the largest population of Alaskan brown bear.

Cultural and social values There is only one native Indian village in Kootznoowoo, inhabited by some 800 Tlingits.

Reasons for classification as Ib (Wilderness Area) Kootznoowoo is a vast, largely uninhabited and protected wilderness of mountains, forest and coastal habitats, providing outstanding opportunities for solitude or primitive and unconfined types of recreation. Activities are restricted to those which do not impair the wilderness qualities of the site. Kootznoowoo is of sufficient size to make practicable its preservation (minimum legal requirement under the Wilderness Act is 5000 acres).

National designation North-East Svalbard was established as a nature reserve in 1973 by Royal Decree in accordance with provisions under the Svalbard Act, 1925. The land and sea, totalling 1.9 million hectares, is owned by the Norwegian government.

Legal basis of management Under the provisions of the Royal Decrees of 1 June and 11 October 1973 concerning the Establishment of Bird Sanctuaries and Large Nature Conservation Areas in Svalbard, hunting, seabed trawling, construction, mining and other activities which interfere with the terrain or disturb the natural environment are prohibited. Use of cross-country vehicles and landing of aircraft are not permitted. When considered necessary, all land and sea traffic may be prohibited to preserve plant or animal life. All species are protected and the introduction of species is not permitted. Scientific research may be allowed, provided it does not conflict with the purpose of the reserve.

In situ management The nature reserve is so remote that little active protection is necessary, but regulations have been issued as a precaution against possible future impacts. A ban on all traffic was introduced in Kong Karls Land under regulations issued by the Governor of Svalbard in 1985.

Geography North-east Svalbard includes the islands of Nordaustlaudet, Kvitoya and Kong Karls Land, together with surrounding territorial waters, in the north-east of the archipelago. A branch of the North Atlantic Drift keeps the coastal waters unfrozen during the summer months.

Nature conservation values The vegetation is typical of the high Arctic tundra, with a number of plant species at their northernmost distribution in Europe. The reserve is valued for its wilderness qualities and associated assemblage of large mammals, notably polar bear, walrus and reindeer. It provides the main denning area in the archipelago for the polar bear.

Cultural and social values Human occupation dates back at least 400 years. The reserve is largely uninhabited. Due to its remoteness, there is little human influence. Shrimp trawling occurs in the territorial waters but is restricted to waters deeper than 100m.

Reasons for classification as Ib (Wilderness Area) North-east Svalbard is a large, ecologically discrete and protected wilderness within the Arctic ecosystem. It is predominantly free from direct human intervention due to its remoteness. Provisions include non-intrusive access for purpose of scientific research or recreation, provided these activities do not spoil the natural environment.

National designation Tasman was established as a wilderness area in 1988 under the Conservation Act, 1987 and is owned by the government. The 86,946ha site is buffered by the remainder of the 421,000ha North-West Nelson Forest Park.

Legal basis of management The Conservation Act, 1987, the National Parks Act, 1980 and the Reserves Act, 1977 provide for the protection of wilderness areas in a primitive state, devoid of all commercial or recreational development, including roads, shelters and bridges or access by off-road vehicles, motorised boats and aircraft. All native wildlife is strictly protected. Access for the public is restricted to appropriate recreational activities.

In situ management Tasman is managed according to the New Zealand government's wilderness policy. Prescriptions are outlined in the management plan for North-West Nelson Forest Park. The Department of Conservation is permitted to use helicopters for search and rescue operations and to control exotic species should they threaten the native flora or fauna. Specimens may be removed for scientific purposes.

Geography Tasman Wilderness comprises an area of rugged, granite mountains in the north-west of South Island, ranging in altitude from 1500m to 1700m. They are deeply incised with streams and gorges, making travel difficult. There is an unusually sharp treeline at 1300m, delimiting the maximum altitude to the silver and mountain beech montane forest. Extensive subalpine snow tussock grasslands and meadows are found above the treeline. The area is snow-free in summer, but above the treeline it is under snow for most of winter and spring.

Nature conservation values The site is located in one of New Zealand's main centres of geological and biological biodiversity, with many endemic plants and invertebrates. The latter include giant land snails and giant wetas (crickets). Endemic birds, extirpated in the lowlands, include great spotted kiwi, kaka, New Zealand falcon, rock wren, yellowhead and blue duck.

Social values As the largest area of wilderness in the north of South Island, Tasman plays and important role in providing for the challenge of adventure and exploration required by visitors from the region and overseas. The fringes of the wilderness attract rafters on the Karamea River, as well as hunters and fishers of exotic deer and trout, respectively. Some walking parties mount two-week expeditions to cross the untracked wilderness.

Reasons for classification as Ib (Wilderness Area) Tasman is an extensive wilderness centred on the rugged Tasman Mountains. It is protected and maintained in a wild, undeveloped state. Public access is permitted for appropriate forms of recreation.

Bolshoi Arkticheskiy (Great Arctic) is regarded as one of the largest wildernesses on Earth, covering 4.2 million hectares of tundra in the north Siberian Taymyr peninsula. It is inhabited by 4000 indigenous Dolgans and Nganasans who subsist from hunting, fishing and herding reindeer. It is anticipated that tourism will become part of the local economy. Notified as a state nature reserve under the Law on Wildlife Protection and Use, 1981, Bolshoi Arkticheskiy is to be maintained in its natural condition unchanged by man. Development, including vehicular access, is prohibited. Scientific research and low-density tourism are permitted. The traditional practice of reindeer husbandry is also allowed.

Polar Bear Pass encompasses 81,000ha of the Canadian High Arctic. Located on Bathurst Island, it is relatively inaccessible and undisturbed. Polar Bear Pass is renowned as an Arctic oasis because of its high concentrations of birds and mammals, and floristic diversity. Established as a national wildlife area under the Canadian Wildlife Act, 1973, it provides for passive recreation and education. The site is managed on a collaborative basis by the Canadian Wildlife Service and indigenous authorities.