March 2024 update of the WDPA and WD-OECM

The total number of records in the March 2024 release of the World Database on Protected Areas (WDPA) is 295,530 (293,704 protected areas), comprising 283,526 polygons and 12,004 points and covering 244 countries and territories.

The total number of records in the March 2024 release of the World Database on Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (WD-OECM) is 872 (856 OECMs), comprising 736 polygons and 136 points and covering 10 countries and territories.

Follow us on Facebook @Protected Planet and Twitter @protectedplanet

Highlights:

South Africa: Complete update for South Africa, from the South African Protected Areas Database. 1 PA was removed and 7 PAs were added, including Mpilo Nature Reserve, Zimanga Private Nature Reserve, Kube Yini Nature Reserve, Lost Valley Nature Reserve, Nirodha Nature Reserve, Umgavusa Protected Environment and Denleigh Protected Environment.

Bangladesh: Update of Bangladesh's protected areas by the Bangladesh Forest Department, including the additon of 10 PAs: Vadra, Shibsha, Pankhali, Ratargul, Madhabkunda, Char Muguria, Altadighi Special, Padma Setu, Saint Martin and Dharmapur.

Botswana: Data on six Forest Reserves in Botswana has been verified as correct by the Department of Forestry and Range Resources.

Benin: Inclusion of 2 ICCAs by ADJE ASSOGBA Bio Pierre from Benin, a new data provider (METADATAID: 2041): Forêt sacrée de Sinatabé, Forêt sacrée de Wianso.

Korea, Republic of: Partial update for national sites in the Republic of Korea, with an increase of approximately 60km2 of protected areas.

Oman: Partial country update for Oman by the Environment Authority, Planning & Studies Department and Environment Authority, Planning & Environment Indicators Department of the Sultinate of Oman. Update involved changes to the tabular data for 30 sites (28 PAs and 2 OECMs), to reflect these status values being legally recognised by the Government of Oman.

Updated: Modifications/updates of the geometry and/or attributes of existing features in the WDPA or WD-OECM (i.e. features with existing WDPAIDs). Also covers features that have been verified as accurate (i.e. no changes need to be made)

Removed: Number of features removed from the WDPA or WD-OECM (i.e. WDPAIDs removed from the databases).

Added: Number of features added to the WDPA or WD-OECM (i.e. new WDPAIDs created).

Map of protected areas and OECMs:

Citation: UNEP-WCMC (2024). Protected areas map of the world, March 2024. Available at: www.protectedplanet.net

Download this map

Summary of current data in preparation:

The data set status is defined as one of: 1) New Dataset Received, 2) Under Review by UNEP-WCMC, 3) Under Validation by Data Provider, or 4) Final Approval Stages.