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10 Endangered Places to Visit Before They’re Gone Forever
The world as we know it today is not what it used to be many hundreds or thousands of years ago, and that’s common knowledge nowadays. From its primitive form, as was taught in our history classes or even in science up to the present as how we see it to this day referred to as modern, such changes were a result of the so-called evolution, or should we say, developments over time.
In line with such developments, however, is the danger posed to some of today’s natural and cultural heritage, only hindered by the will to preserve such sites as tourist destinations for people which otherwise would be a forgotten memory left by our ancestors to this world. And alas, that is indeed the case.
Did you know that the number of world heritage sites known to this day that are in danger are increased for the past five years? UNESCO World Heritage Centre says so. This can be concerning, considering that most of these sites are still a significant part of humanity’s culture.
As such, the following list down the top ten endangered tourist attractions in the world.
#1: Machu Picchu
Where: Peru
Why: Introduced to the world in 1911 by an American explorer Hiram Bingham, Machu Picchu has become one of the top travel destinations worldwide. Machu Picchu is a popular sightseeing spot for its Inihuatana. This carved rock piques historians’ interest in its study and the control gate where tourists can see a nearly panoramic view of the city. Alongside such privilege is the wear and tear resulting from its tourists running rampant on its specially designed footpaths. In addition, a 112 Km railway line from San Pedro in Cusco to the highest point of the Picchu mountain, El Arco, contributes mainly to the environmental degradation of the place. Not solely for reasons that are man-made in nature, it is said that Machu Picchu lies directly on the Tambomachay Fault, suggesting a hazard to the place as a result of an earthquake.
#2: Mount Kilimanjaro
Where: Tanzania
Why: Towering a height of 5,895 meters, Mount Kilimanjaro is the tallest mountain in Africa. It is also known for the ice cap on one of its summits, referred to as “Kibo.” However, of all its beauty, Mount Kilimanjaro’s ice cap is said to disappear by 2033 due to climate change, as some scientists claim. More than 85% of its ice cap has vanished since 1900, leaving only 15% remaining to this day since that time.
#3: The Great Barrier Reef
Where: Australia
Why: Known to be the world’s largest expanse of corals, making a variety of 400 different kinds, The Great Barrier Reef in Australia spans a 3000-kilometer-wide coral reef and is the only visible living structure from space. Above the waters, The Great Barrier Reef’s area is a spot for as many as 200 types of birds and other wildlife and a site for many picturesque islands. Estimated by scientists to be around 7,000 years of age, The Great Barrier Reef is said to be on the verge of death by 2050 due to water pollution from river discharges, and coral bleaching due to high temperatures brought about by climate change.
#4: The Alps
Where: Europe
Why: It may have been immortalized as seen through literature, film, and art, but The Alps in Europe is not immune to global warming. Having lower altitudes than the Rocky Mountains, The Alp’s glaciers are more susceptible to heating which contributes to their rapid shrinking. Some expect such glaciers to disappear by 2050.
#5: Glacier National Park
Where: Montana, USA
Why: A place named for its feature, and glaciers, Glacier National Park in Montana, USA, is feared to change its name soon for its diminishing glacier counts. At its last official counts, 30 of the 150 or so original glaciers only remain and may have been feared to have decreased since that time’s counting. To lose its glaciers is also to lose the water that flows on it, thereby putting the park’s many flora and fauna at risk.
#6: Venice
Where: Italy
Why: Waterways of Venice. Known for its charming gondola scenes going through canals of water, often a tribute to romanticism as depicted in movies. The sad truth, however, states that only those same canals are left in this romantic Italian city. Many are claiming the city to be literally “drowning” due to increased flooding and rising sea levels, which happen frequently. In addition, the city’s stones have significantly eroded, and it’s wooden support more decayed, making the city unstable.
#7: The Dead Sea
Where: Jordan, Israel, West Bank
Why: Dubbed as such due to its above-normal salinity, in comparison to other seas, The Dead Sea is the saltiest there is in the world. Due to the same reason, it cannot sustain marine life. Located in a scorching and dry region, the sea’s water level naturally fluctuates due to evaporation. In addition, increased use of the Jordan River, which feeds from this sea, contributes to its decline. The sea is said to have shrunk for almost a third which sinks 5 centimeters annually.
#8: Taj Mahal
Where: Agra, India
Why: Completed in 1638 and intended as a monument to Mughal emperor Shah Jahan’s favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal, the Taj Mahal is India’s most famous tourist attraction comprising a part of 4 million itineraries per year for the country’s tourism. However, authorities are considering closing the tomb to the public to offset the damage caused by heavy feet coming from its visitors. Its damages were also noted as a result of a decline in water level in its nearby Yamuna River, affecting its wooden foundation and the damage to its walls due to air pollution and visitors.
#9: Great Pyramids of Giza
Where: Cairo, Egypt
Why: Believed to have existed for about 4,000 years, The Pyramids of Giza are said to be in their last few decades. As a treasured landmark of Egypt, its officials surprisingly do not protect the area. Human visitors can crawl all over the monument area, which adds to its damage. Add to that the crowd formed by visitors, vendors, and tour guides flocking into the area.
#10: Little Green Street
Where: London, England
Why: It may not be as well-known as other tourist spots in London. However, it may be due to the same reason that it has not been ruined yet. Little Green Street is a one-block street in Kentish Town, the sole survivor of an intact Georgian thoroughfare in the vast metropolis. It is known for its 18th-century houses, protected as historic properties. However, the area is at risk of being destroyed by developers who want to build on the land behind it. It is feared that constant pressure from trucks and heavy machinery may ruin the street, which survived the bombing of World War II.
Also Read:
- 15 Interesting Facts About Machu Picchu That Will Surprise You
- Machu Picchu Is The World’s No. 1 Landmark
- Visiting The French Alps
- Top 4 Of The World’s Friendliest Islands Is In The Philippines
