- This topic has 0 replies, 1 voice, and was last updated 9 years, 9 months ago by
.
-
Posts
-
Galapagos put on UN danger list
The
Galapagos Islands, the first place on the planet officially designated
as a World Heritage site, has been declared “in danger” by the
UN.Experts said the 19 islands and surrounding ocean were under threat
from “invasive species”, increased tourism and growing immigration.Isolated some 1,000km (620 miles) off of Ecuador’s coast, the islands contain much unique plant and animal life.They
were protected by Unesco 1978, with the boundaries extended in 2001.The
UN Environment, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco), which
administers the list of World Heritage sites, added the Galapagos
Islands to a comparatively small list of sites facing clear dangers.Ecological fear
In
a statement, the organisation said increased international interest in
the islands – which are Ecuador’s most popular tourist attraction – was
effectively contributing to their gradual decline.”The number of days
spent by passengers of cruise ships has increased by 150% over the past
15 years,” the organisation said in a statement.”This increase has
fuelled a growth in immigration and the ensuing inter-island traffic
has led to the introduction of more invasive species.”Earlier this year
Ecuador’s President Rafael Correa said the Galapagos were at risk and
in need of urgent action to protect their unique ecology.He said he was
considering a range of measures designed to protect the islands’
environment.The wide variety of unusual flora and fauna on the islands,
much of it found nowhere else on the planet, inspired naturalist
Charles Darwin and helped contribute to his theory of evolution.Unesco
also placed Niokolo-Koba National Park in Senegal on the endangered
list because of the threat of poaching and a proposed dam on the Gambia
river.The committee is considering 45 applications to join the World
Heritage list from 39 countries. It currently contains 830 sites.
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.