Digging Deeper into the World Heritage in Danger List

Compiled by the UNESCO , the World Heritage in Danger List comprises of heritage sites worldwide that are facing threats from various factors. These include natural disasters, wars, armed conflicts, pollution, unchecked urbanisation, poaching, and rampant tourist development.

• UNESCO oversees the list of World Heritage Sites, recognizing sites of significant cultural or physical importance that hold exceptional value to humanity.
• As per the World Heritage Convention , the World Heritage Committee, which administers the Convention, can include World Heritage Sites in the danger list if the site satisfies one of the criteria in either of the two categories below.

The Importance of the World Heritage in Danger List

Adding a site to the List brings global attention to the site and the threats it faces. It prompts the international community to collaborate in preserving the site for future generations. This inclusion also enhances the efficacy of preservation techniques. The World Heritage Committee can allocate funds from the World Heritage Fund for the conservation of the endangered property.

A Few Examples of Sites on the World Heritage in Danger List

As of July 2021, here are a few sites that have been included in the World Heritage in Danger List.

• The Archaeological Site of Palmyra (Syria)
• Chan Chan Archaeological Zone (Peru)

UNESCO has also proposed to include Australia's Great Barrier Reef to the List due to severe environmental threats it faces. Activities like pollution, coastal development, and commercial activities like limestone mining have significantly affected the corals.