UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Danger: Visit Them before They’re Gone

According to its official website, UNESCO or the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency with the mission to build defenses of peace in the minds of men. Furthermore, to help preserve and conserve Mother Nature is one of the organization’s goals, which is why it has come up with a World Heritage List. This list has sub-categories, one of which is the World Heritage in Danger.

The World Heritage Committee has listed 46 properties across the globe that are in danger. Today, we will feature three of these properties and together we will learn why they are worthy of visiting even before they become a mere thing of the past.

#1 Los Katios National Park, Colombia

Not only because the winner of Miss Universe 2015 is from Colombia; tourists, especially those who are nature lovers, should visit this 72,000-hectare endangered national park as this is home to threatened species like the American Crocodile, Giant Anteater, and Central American Tapir.

#2 Coro and its Port, Venezuela

Another gorgeous lady who made it to the top 10 of the recent Miss Universe is Miss Venezuela; however, she did not make it to the top 5. But we will not talk about the pageant or the contestants; we will talk about countries that have places in danger.

The next endangered site that we will feature is Coro and its Port at the coast of Falcon state in the western part of Venezuela. According to UNESCO, “Coro is the only surviving example of a rich fusion of local traditions with Spanish Mudejar and Dutch architectural techniques.”

Check out this video and tour across the beautiful Venezuela in three minutes.

 

#3 Okapi Wildlife Reserve, Democratic Republic of Congo

Congo, in addition to Palestine and Syrian Arab Republic, is one of the countries with the most number of endangered sites: 4 national parks and 1 wildlife reserve. Okapi Wildlife Reserve, in particular, has endemic and threatened species of birds and primates. The reserve is also home to majestic waterfalls and picturesque rivers.

As mentioned earlier, UNESCO has included 46 properties (sites) in their List of World Heritage in Danger but we have only featured three. To feed your curiosity, here are the other 43 properties:

COUNTRY	ENDANGERED SITE/S
Afghanistan	–         Cultural Landscape and Archaeological Remains of the Bamiyan Valley–         Minaret and Archaeological Remains of Jam
Belize	Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System
Bolivia	City of Potosí
Central African Republic	Manovo-Gounda St Floris National Park
Chile	Humberstone and Santa Laura Saltpeter Works
Côte d’Ivoire	Comoé National Park, Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve
Egypt	Abu Mena
Ethiopia	Simien National Park
Georgia	–         Bagrati Cathedral and Gelati Monastery–         Historical Monuments of Mtskheta
Guinea	Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve
Honduras	Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve
Indonesia	Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra
Iraq	Ashur (Qal’at Sherqat)Samarra Archaeological City
Jerusalem	Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls
Madagascar	Rainforests of the Atsinanana
Mali	–         Timbuktu–         Tomb of Askia
Niger	Air and Ténéré Natural Reserves
Palestine	–         Birthplace of Jesus: Church of the Nativity and the Pilgrimage Route, Bethlehem–         Palestine: Land of Olives and Vines – Cultural Landscape of Southern Jerusalem, Battir
Panama	Fortifications on the Caribbean Side of Panama: Portobelo-San Lorenzo
Peru	Chan Chan Archaeological Zone
Senegal	Niokolo-Koba National Park
Serbia	Medieval Monuments in Kosovo
Solomon Islands	East Rennell
Syrian Arab Republic	–         Ancient City of Aleppo–         Ancient City of Bosra–         Ancient City of Damascus –         Ancient Villages of Northern Syria –         Crac des Chevaliers and Qal’at Salah El-Din –         Site of Palmyra
Uganda	Tombs of Buganda Kings at Kasubi
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland	Liverpool – Maritime Mercantile City
United Republic of Tanzania	Selous Game Reserve
United States of America	Everglades National Park
Yemen	Historic Town of Zabid

 

Which endangered sites on the list do you find most interesting? Which of them are you looking forward to visit this year? Let us know!