UK Heritage Sites to be Blacklisted?

Earlier this month, UNESCO warned that two UK Overseas Territories, Henderson Island – an unihabitated raised reef island, in the South East Pacific, and the Gough and Inaccessible Islands – one of world’s least disrupted islands and marine eco-systems in the south Atlantic, could be blacklisted.

Following a recent meeting in Brasilia, UNESCO say that the natural qualities for which these islands are listed, are coming under jeopardy, as poor management has lead to several of the islands’ native birds becoming Critically Endangered; non-native rats and mice are killing the islands’ unique birds species, including Murphy's petrel and the wandering albatross.

Henderson Island received World Heritage Site status in 1988 because of its pristine phosphate reserves and untouched bird life, including endemic species such as the Henderson Crake, Henderson Fruit Dove, Henderson Lorikeet and Henderson Reed-warbler. If rats are allowed to continue pillaging the eggs and killing Henderson’s chicks, the future status of the island will be seriously threatened.

UNESCO have also said that the Gough Islands, which owe their world heritage status to having no introduced species, will be added to the ‘danger list’ by 2014 if non-native house mice have not been removed.

Tim Stowe, International Director of the RSPB, expressed embarrassment on behalf of the UK, in falling behind in its duties.

Plans are now in place to remove the rodents, with fundraising well underway. However, unless the full £1.7 million needed is raised by October, the rats cannot be dealt with in 2011 and another 25,000 chicks are likely to lose their lives.

Many conservationists believe that the UK government should be taking greater responsibility for safeguarding the wildlife of the UKs overseas territories. Richard Porter, of Birdlife International, commented that ‘2010 is the International Year of Biodiversity. Wouldn't it be a great boost if the new UK coalition government could attend the UN Biodiversity Summit in Japan, in October, and lead by example by finding the cash and commitment to fund our unique wildlife treasures.'

Image taken from Sanctuaries of New Zealand

Macchu Pichu - A Victim of its own Success

Earlier this month, The World Heritage Committee requested that “reinforced monitoring” should be applied to certain properties on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, voicing grave concern over governance of Macchu Pichu, highlighting urgent problems of deforestation, landslide risk, uncontrolled urban development and illegal access to the sanctuary. UNESCO demonstrated serious concerns over the future protection of the site and have considered putting Machu Picchu on its list of World Heritage Sites in Danger, entitling it to special attention and international assistance.

Machu Picchu is perched 8000ft above sea level in Peru’s South Western Andes. Before its discovery in 1911, this ancient Inca citdel had previously escaped destruction by Spanish Conquistadores but since its rise to international fame over the past 50 years, a new wave of invaders has threatened its longevity; like so many marvels of the world, Machu Picchu is in danger of being loved to death by tourists.

The unprecedented amount of tourism it receives is largely due to its international status as a ‘must see’ attraction. It was declared a Peruvian Historical Sanctuary in 1981, spurring waves of visitors to travel to Peru to see the ancient ruin, but the tidal wave came in 1983, when the 500 year old site gained UNESCO World Heritage status and the tourists began arriving in swarms. Then in 2007, Machu Picchu was named as one of the ‘New Seven Wonders of the World’ and, with this globally nominated status, the number of visitors doubled to 5000 per day, levels which spurred fears that the ruins could be destroyed by irresponsible tourist to a point of no-return.

As always, there is an economic verses conservation battle here. Around 858,211 tourists visited Machu Picchu in 2008 and Peru’s National Chamber of Tourism estimates that tourism brings in around $500,000 per day. UNESCO frequently fight battles to halt further developments, some of which have been successful; admission prices have been increased, an application for cable car access was turned down and in 2006, a proposal to allow flights was denied, following the protests of leading environmentalists, who said that they would cause irreparable damage to the ruins and rare wildlife. However, there are many recommendations that have been ignored: UNESCO suggest that visitor numbers should be cut to 800 per day, and that soft shoes should be warn to reduce the impact of scrambling over the ruins. A major concern is further uncontrolled development and unrestricted access to the site and in 1999 UNESCO suggested that tourist infrastructure was reduced, another recommendation that has so far been ignored.

A victim of its own success, Macchu Pichu is undoubtedly an astonishing construction and, despite the battles between environmentalists, governments, tour operators, conservationists and tourists, all parties share the common belief that the site is one of remarkable value. Sustainability is vital to all interest groups but some are more willing than others to make short term economic cuts in order to achieve longevity. The path to achieve this goal is unclear; would joining the ‘World Heritage Sites in Danger List’ be beneficial to Macchu Pichu’s preservation, or would it again spur a new wave of tourists desperate to catch the ruins before their original character is destroyed forever? Hands up if this article has made you rush to book a flight to Peru before it's too late!

Image taken from cortestravel.com

UNESCO World Heritage Commitee in Session

The UNESCO World Heritage Sites committee will meet this summer in Brasilia, for its 34^th session. Chaired by the Brazilian Minister of Culture and President of the World Heritage Committee, João Luiz Ferreira, the committee are meeting to monitor the state of conservation of properties inscribed on the World Heritage List, study requests for International Assistance from the World Heritage Fund, consider which of the 32 applications for potential new sites will make it to their World Heritage List and which of their established sites will be extended.

Six applicants for UNESCO nature status will be considered at the committee meeting, being held from 25 July to 3 August. These include:

- Danxia (South West China): A wildlife refuge in an area of unique geology, encompassing the mountains and foothills of the Yantze River.

-Reunion Island (France): An Indian Ocean French territory, containing 2 volcanoes fed from a unique, deep seated hot spot connected directly to the center of the world.

- Phoenix Islands Protected Area (Kiribati): The largest marine protected area in the world and the largest marine conservation project undertaken by a developing nation.

Some of the many submissions for Cultural properties include Australian Convict Sites (Australia), São Francisco Square in the Town of São Cristóvão (Brazil), Konso Cultural Landscape (Ethiopia), Fort Jesus, Mombasa (Kenya) and Darwin’s Landscape Laboratory (United Kingdom).

The Central Highlands of Sri Lanka and Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, Hawaii, will be considered for inscription in the ‘mixed’ (cultural and nature) category and Pirin National Park in Bulgaria and Monte San Giorgio in Switzerland and Italy are both hoping to expand their designated areas.

For more details on the conference, take a look at the official website http://www.34whc.brasilia2010.org.br/