The World Heritage Committee,

1. Commends the Indian Government and partner institutes and research bodies for their efforts in preparing a World Heritage Biodiversity Programme for India with support for project preparation from the United Nations Foundation (UNF);

2. Invites the State Party to submit a report to the World Heritage Centre by 1 February 2004 on the possible financing and execution of the Programme, including the implementation measures recommended by the 26th session of the Committee and the IUCN mission of early 2002 for the conservation of Manas, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 28th session in 2004;

3. Decides to retain Manas Wildlife Sanctuary on the List of World Heritage in Danger.