Alert Seven iconic tourist sites in danger

The Great Wall of China, the Taj Mahal and Vienna are in danger.

Not only for the pbadage of millions of tourists and the occasional vandalism and even the awkwardness of hordes of visitors, but for other factors, which can range from natural erosion over time to pollution or pollution. the total or partial absence of policies to preserve them

One of the news that invaded the portals around the world last week was the project of Peruvian President Martín Vizcarra to set up an airport in the city of Chinchero, less than 30 kilometers from the ruins of Machu Picchu.

In a speech, the president said that this new landing strip would be "beneficial" for Cuzco and "favor" the influx of tourism in the country. However, he made no reference to the possibility that this archaeological site is ruined.

Faced with this, archaeologists and historians have sent a letter to the platform Change.org to protest the construction of the terminal because "in addition to affecting the integrity of a Inca complex landscape, it would have irreparable effects due to noise, increased traffic and uncontrolled urbanization ". The letter has already been signed by more than 75,000 people.

Regularly, the authorities limit or close access to Machu Picchu as a preventive measure. It is neither the first nor the last tourist site at risk. In the imagination of every experienced traveler, there is surely the closure of the island of Koh Tachai, Thailand, for the destruction of its coral reef and its ecology.

To this list you can add both natural wonders and human prowess that, to varying degrees of risk, if no map is taken in the matter.

The island of Easter

A similar situation is repeated on Easter Island, Chile, with giant heads, which would represent the ancestors of Rapa Nui. One of the problems that islanders have outstanding is the rising tide of recent years, which could reach 1.5 meters by 2100 and completely cover many archaeological finds.

In addition, invasion of microorganisms, winds and the free pbadage of animals also affect the ecosystem.

The population increase is another problem that threatens the island in general. Therefore, in February of this year, the Chilean government pbaded a law under which any person wishing to be resident of the place must have a son, a grandson or a father who is already . In addition, they have imposed restrictions on those who come to visit: they can not stay more than 30 days.

According to figures from the Ministry of Tourism of Chile, more than 100,000 people arrive each year on the island.

Altamira caves

This natural site in Cantabria, Spain, has been closed for more than 12 years. In 2014, it reopened, but with a very strict visit regime: only five people can enter per week and not stay more than 37 minutes. Each of the itineraries is made with clothes and special lighting.

This summer, the caves were closed at least twice as it was found that the place contained more carbon dioxide than recommended. This causes a serious effect on the interior rock paintings. The human presence only makes the situation worse.

Although there is no official warning regarding its closure, many experts claim that, given the conditions and the great presence of moisture, the place is no longer suitable for visits .

The great Wall of China

This global symbol is also under threat: erosion, vandalism and lack of maintenance mean that a third of its 21,000 kilometers is no longer standing. On the total wall erected by the Ming Dynasty, only 8% remains, the most visited part by tourists today and, therefore, one of the most exposed.

Another major problem of the wall is the frequent rains in Beijing and Hebei. This causes the earth to run and produce cracks in the stone where the trees start to grow and eventually break it down.

Finally, this marvel is also beset by looters who steal their bricks to build their homes or sell them in certain markets. Each one costs $ 4 and are offered at souvenir stands.

Historic Center of Vienna

The construction of buildings all around endangers this Austrian jewel. For this reason, Unesco has decided to inscribe it on its List of World Heritage in Danger in 2017.

Its center is rich in parks and architectural monuments and in reference to Mozart's clbadical music. Also in baroque buildings and magnificent buildings such as the Staatsoper (National Opera House) and the Kunsthistorisches Museum.

In this context, the World Heritage Committee of Unesco sent a letter to the representatives of the project "Vienna Skating Club – Concert Hall of the Intercontinental Hotel in Vienna", which is about to turn on his machines in the area. In the letter, the agency regretted not having sufficiently taken into account the previous decisions, "especially with regard to the height of the projected buildings, which would have a negative impact on the outstanding universal value of the site".

Although tourism in the region has not yet been restricted, it is considered that if a brake was not applied, many historic buildings could suffer more from this panorama.

The masai mara

This protected area of ​​Kenya has lost 75% of its mammal population in the last decade. This is a consequence of increased population pressure in areas bordering the iconic nature reserve, which has turned it into hell for species such as gazelles and zebras.

According to a study in the journal Science – published in 2018 – the human population in these areas has increased by 400% and, at the same time, wild animals must share their food source with domestic animals that humans themselves have introduced into the reserve.

"There is an urgent need to rethink border management of protected areas to preserve biodiversity," he said in a statement issued by the University of York, who also participated in the study.

To this complicated situation, we must add the influx of safaris with tourists who arrive to add more than 10,000 per day and who pay hundreds of dollars to have the experience of riding in an SUV and d & rsquo; To enter the life of animals.

Although the authorities of the country have already been warned, this activity leaves more than 16 million euros to the impoverished economy, making it very difficult the possibility to ban safaris.

The taj mahal

This temple is one of the most impressive architectural works in the world. In the 17th century, he was commissioned by Emperor Shah Jahan to pay tribute to his favorite queen, Mumtaz Mahal, who died after giving birth to his fourteenth son.

The splendor of the place is mainly given by the material with which it is made: Rajasthan marble, which has the distinction of appearing pink in the morning, white in the afternoon and milky at night.

Despite its importance, this place is not maintained as it should be. It is visited by more than 2 million people a year and its structure is not protected from the pbadage of time.

Its foundations are working and its walls and roof are starting to crack. Last year, environmentalists asked the Supreme Court of India to strengthen efforts to keep the Taj Mahal in the ranks. However, an image hit the world when two of its columns collapsed on the floor.

Another problem facing this iconic building is air pollution in and around Agra. Unesco prepared a report in which it alerted the government to the presence of sulfur dioxide particles in the air which, combined with other components, caused acid rain.

This causes the surface to set aside its radiant target and begin to show a yellowish face.

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