The Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary lies on the southeast bank of the River Senegal in Senegal, north east of St-Louis. It provides a range of wetland habitats which prove very popular with migrating birds. About 400 species of birds and a wide range of wildlife inhabit the park. In the Senegal River delta, the Djoudj Sanctuary is a wetland of 16,000 hectares, comprised of a large lake surrounded by streams, ponds and backwaters, which form a living but fragile sanctuary for one and a half million birds, such as the white pelican, the purple heron, the African spoonbill, the great egret and the cormorant.Threats to the Site:ituated in the Senegal river delta, the Djoudj Sanctuary is a wetland of 16,000 ha, comprising a large lake surrounded by streams, ponds and backwaters. It forms a living but fragile sanctuary for some 1.5 million birds, such as the white pelican, the purple heron, the African spoonbill, the great egret and the cormorant. PHYSICAL FEATURES The park is in a vast basin of impermeable holomorphic soils forming saline flats in the Senegal River delta between the main channel to the north, the Djoudj bayou and the Gorom, or bayou to the south. This delta, of which Djoudj is a small part, has been subject to flooding and to the development of dyke systems for many years, the latest in 1963. These dykes have allowed fresh water to be retained in the Djoudj basin for longer periods than normal, benefiting the waterbirds. Salinity varies, from nearly fresh during winter inundations to brackish as the water levels fall. CLIMATE Sahelian with alternate wet and dry seasons. Mean annual precipitation is 300mm and mean annual temperature 27°C. During the dry season, it is the wettest area in the region, but in recent years rainfall has been less than one fifth of the average and Djoudj has been much drier. VEGETATION Vegetation reflects a low rainfall on unfavourable holomorphic soils. The Sahelien type savanna is dominated by spiny bushes, acacias such as Acacia nilotica, A.tortilis, A
The Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary (French: Parc national des oiseaux du Djoudj) lies on the southeast bank of the River Senegal in Senegal, north east of St-Louis. It provides a range of wetland habitats which prove very popular with migrating birds, many of which have just crossed the Sahara. Of almost 400 species of birds, the most visible are pelicans and flamingos. Less conspicuous are the Aquatic Warblers migrating here from Europe; for these, the park is the single most important wintering site yet discovered [1]. A wide range of wildlife also inhabits the park, which is designated a World Heritage Site. The site was added to the list of World Heritage Sites in Danger in 2000 due to the introduction of the invasive giant salvinia plant, which threatens to choke out the park's native vegetation. However it was removed from the list in 2006 Situated in the Senegal River delta, the Djoudj Sanctuary is a wetland of 16,000 ha, comprising a large lake surrounded by streams, ponds and backwaters. It forms a living but fragile sanctuary for some 1.5 million birds, such as the white pelican, the purple heron, the African spoonbill, the great egret and the cormorant Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary provides a range of wetland habitats which prove very popular with migrating birds, many of which have just crossed the Sahara. Of almost 400 species of birds, the most visible are pelicans and flamingos. Less conspicuous are the Aquatic Warblers migrating here from Europe; for these, the park is the single most important wintering site yet discovered. A wide range of wildlife also inhabits the park.
Cairns, November 28 (No.2000-129) - The historic city of Zabid in Yemen, the Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary in Senegal and the Fort and Shalamar Gardens in Pakistan were inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger by UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee which has been meeting in Cairns, Australia, since yesterday under the presidency of Peter King of Australia. Historic City of Zabid (Yemen). A former capital of Yemen, from the 13th to the 15th century, Zabid was a city of great importance in the Arab and Muslim world for many centuries because of its Islamic university. Today the city is in decline and in a very poor state of conservation. A mission of experts has observed serious deterioration in the city’s heritage: around 40% of the city’s houses have been replaced by concrete buildings, and other houses and the ancient souk are in a deteriorating state. The Yemeni government has asked for Zabid to be inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger to facilitate its preservation. Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary (Senegal). Situated in the Senegal River delta, the Djoudj Sanctuary is a wetland of 16,000 hectares, which form a vital but fragile sanctuary for 1.5 million birds, such as the white pelican, the purple heron, the African spoonbill, the great egret and the cormorant. The sanctuary is now threatened by the invasion of a water plant, Salvinia molesta, which has crossed over the Senegal River and invaded the Diawling National Park of Mauritania. An attempt was made in June this year to use biological control methods by releasing plant-eating beetles provided by South Africa, but this has proved to be inadequate. Here too, the national authorities are backing the inscription on the List so as to facilitate their task and help them appeal for financial support from donors. Fort and Shalamar Gardens in Lahore (Pakistan). Testimonies of the brilliant Mogul civilisation, the fort contains palaces and marble mosques decorated with mosaics and gilt. The gardens, built on three terraces with lodges, waterfalls and large ornamental ponds, are an example of a rarely equalled sophistication. Tanks built 375 years ago to supply water to the Garden’s fountains were destroyed in June 1999 to widen the road which borders the gardens on their south side. The perimeter walls of the Garden are also deteriorating. In view of the damage observed and the threat facing the site, the Committee decided to inscribe it on the List of World Heritage in Danger, in response to a request from the Pakistani government that the international community take action to safeguard the site.
