(Posted 29th July 2026)
Each year, the UNESCO World Heritage Committee meets to assess the status of World Heritage Sites, add new ones to the list, and even place some on its World Heritage Sites in Danger list.
The WHC’s 48th session has been meeting in Busan, South Korea. And included is one of Africa’s most important conservation issues: the future of Tanzania’s Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA).
As we recently reported, the NCA has reached a critical crossroads. Both wildlife and the Maasai people who have lived there for generations face serious and mounting threats.
Ngorongoro: A Test Case for Global Conservation
Ngorongoro was established as a Multiple Land Use Model (MLUM), a place where wildlife conservation and traditional Maasai pastoralism were intended to coexist—a rare effort to balance biodiversity with Indigenous culture.
Today, that model is being questioned. Human and livestock populations have grown, climate change has intensified droughts, and increasing tourism is impacting both people and wildlife.
The Tanzanian government has proposed ending Ngorongoro’s multiple-use status, an ominous shift for the Maasai. Although officials say there will be no forced evictions, they are strongly encouraging Maasai families to relocate far from their homeland, where they would face an entirely alien way of life.
UNESCO’s Position
The World Heritage Committee’s position against the outright eviction of Maasai has been clearly stated. Its draft resolution calls for a transparent process with the full participation of all stakeholders, including residents who oppose relocation. “A clear human rights-based approach should underpin planning and management for the property.”
However, critics say that UNESCO must go further by requiring Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) before any decisions are made. This would give Maasai a decisive voice. We agree.
For changing the existing land use model, the WHC states “A multiple land use approach has been central to the management of the property since inscription, and therefore any decision to move away from such an approach would constitute a major change in the management framework of the property.” It strongly requests that no decision be made without consulting the WHC.
The WHC has the power to place Ngorongogo on the World Heritage Sites in Danger. And it did this with Ngorngoro from 1984 to 1989. Last year, it decided not to place it on the list again but could do so. It would be a blow to Tanzania’s conservation record.
Our question is – would harassment, pressure, or displacement of Maasai people be enough to put Ngorongoro on the World Heritage in Danger List again? Does the World Heritage Site status depend on human rights?
Missing from the Discussion
Two vital topics may take a back seat at this year’s WHC meeting:
Creating a win-win for people and wildlife: Programs are needed to help Maasai develop adaptive systems to reduce herd size and ecosystem impacts — new economic opportunities that allow families to earn more with fewer animals. This is what we’re working on.
Bringing tourism under control: One of our group recently visited Ngorongoro Crater and found it overrun with tourists. At one point, fifty vehicles jockeyed for position to view a rhino. If Ngorongoro is to remain one of the world’s great conservation landscapes, overtourism must be addressed.
One Thing You Can Do
Support our Work.
Serengeti Watch is working with Maasai communities to develop practical, long-term solutions that benefit both people and wildlife. Through improved dairy production, women’s cooperatives, sustainable agriculture, climate resilience, and community-led conservation, we are helping build a future where people and nature thrive together.
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