There are currently over 50 UNESCO World Heritage sites considered endangered across the world. This important, and sometimes desperate, decision is taken by the UNESCO when cultural and natural heritage has been threatened by serious and specific dangers. Tourism, urbanisation, climate change and lack of protection have put these sites at risk of disappearing forever. More places are added to the list every year!
Go Compare Travel created illustrated tributes to 10 of these sites to highlight their beauty, cultural value and historical significance. Some of them are more famous than others but they all have one thing in common – everyday, people are working to preserve this amazing heritage that came from nature, or were built through the years. New rules have been applied and green tourism is growing every day around the world to save this incredible heritage.
Here are the tributes to these sites to show that no part of the world is left behind when it comes to losing important heritage.
THE BELIZE BARRIER REEF:
It is the largest barrier reef in the northern hemisphere, and comprises seven protected sites. The different areas consist of numerous sand banks, mangrove forests, and coastal lagoons. As well as being home to many threatened marine creatures such as the West Indian manatee and loggerhead turtle, bird colonies such as the red-footed booby are also present on the atolls outside the reef. Due to selling and leasing public lands within the property, the barrier reef system is facing destruction of its mangrove and marine ecosystems.
THE TROPICAL RAINFOREST HERITAGE OF SUMATRA
Indonesia
Comprising three national parks, (Gunung Leuser National Park, Kerinci Seblat National Park and Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park), the Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra is recognised for its beauty and biodiversity. The site is home to an estimated 10,000 plant species, 465 resident bird species, and over 200 species of mammal (15 of which can only be found in the Indonesian region). The Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra is currently at risk due to several factors, including road development plans and agricultural encroachment. The area is further threatened by illegal poaching and logging activity.
MARITIME MERCANTILE CITY
England
The Maritime Mercantile City in Liverpool, England, is comprised of six areas that are recognised for displaying the city’s pioneering role in developing modern dock technology, transport systems, port management, and warehouse construction. The port became key to global trading and cultural connections throughout the British Empire. The site includes the Albert Dock which was the first non-combustible complex in the world and remains a major tourist attraction today. The site is considered in danger due to urban development projects and a lack of management.
HUMBERSTONE AND SANTA LAURA SALTPETER WORKS
Chile
Situated in the region of Tarapacá in northern Chile, The Humberstone and Santa Laura Saltpeter Works dates back to the 1800s. Thousands of workers lived here during the first half of the 19th century, including workers from Chile, Peru and Bolivia. It’s recognised for its historical and cultural significance, highlighting the communal pampino culture of the time. Due to the infrastructure’s fragility and tough weather conditions the site is vulnerable to damage from earthquakes and heavy wind. The site has also been subject to looting and as a result significant material and memorabilia have been lost.
EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK
USA
The Everglades National Park is the largest tropical wilderness in North America. It consists of shallow bays and deeper coastal waters as well as fresh water, making it a phenomenal habitat for different types of flora and fauna. It was the first national park to be protected due to its fragile ecosystem, as it’s also home to 36 threatened species and provides a vital breeding habitat for more than 400 species of birds. The Everglades is deemed in danger due to the deterioration of its aquatic ecosystem. This is largely due to changing quantity, timing and distribution of the currents in the Shark River lowering water levels due to urban and agricultural growth, and pollution from upstream agricultural activities.
CHURCH OF THE NATIVITY
Palestine
The The Church of Nativity in Bethlehem, Palestine, has been recognised by Christian tradition as the biblical birthplace of Jesus since around the second century. The original church of 339 AD was burned down in the sixth century and a new basilica was built which included the intricate floor mosaics of the first church, and new additions such as its famous bell towers. The basilica is built above the location considered the spot of Christ’s birth and parts of the original church’s remains – which survive below ground – were arranged in a way which gave people a view of the cave where Jesus was born. Today, the basilica is under threat due to urbanisation in the surrounding area, as well as suffering from degradation.
RAINFORESTS OF THE ATSINANANA
Madagascar
Situated on the island of Madagascar, the Rainforests of the Atsinanana represent six national parks spread across the eastern region of the country. The forests are known for their unique biodiversity as well as being the home to various rare and threatened species such as its famous lemurs. Despite the series of properties being formally protected, there are still threats of agricultural encroachment and resource exploitation from logging, hunting, and gem mining.
CHAN CHAN ARCHAEOLOGICAL ZONE
Peru
Before the Chimu Kingdom fell to the Incas, Chan Chan was its thriving capital. The Chan Chan Archaeological Zone consists of nine large, rectangular complexes which are split by tall, thick, earthen walls. These units consist of various buildings such as storehouses, temples and homes. The walls were often filled with decorative bands (friezes) which represented abstract themes and also featured anthropomorphic and zoomorphic imagery. Due to its fragile, earthen infrastructure and the extreme environmental conditions of the area, Chan Chan is highly vulnerable to deterioration and decay. The site is also under threat due to illegal farming practices.
SELOUS GAME RESERVE
Tanzania
The Selous Game Reserve in the South of Tanzania is known as one of the biggest wilderness areas in Africa. The reserve is recognised for being a tropical sanctuary where predator and prey dwell together, including elephants, cheetahs, giraffes and crocodiles. The 50,000km² area also has diverse vegetation, most notably the Miombo woodlands. The reserve is considered to be in danger due to lack of financial resources and sustainable management. Moreover, illegal activities such as poaching have caused a massive decline in wildlife populations across the reserve, posing a further risk.
HISTORIC CENTRE OF SHAKHRISABZ
Uzbekistan
Situated on the Silk Roads in southern Uzbekistan, The Historic Centre of Shakhrisabz was established during the rule of Amir Temur and the Timurids, in the 15th-16th centuries. The centre is recognised for its historic monuments and constructions, which are of cultural and political significance. The centre is over 2,000 years old and throughout the different time periods has experienced a variety of architectural styles, giving it its unique character. The site is currently at risk due to the lack of a comprehensive conservation and management plan; plus the area has also seen a surge in commercial development which has resulted in demolition and re-building.
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