1/ The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is concerned about increasing tourist flows that disrupt missions heritage protection. With over 1 billion international tourists in 2012, the exponential increase in visitors on major classified sites poses problems of site management and flows. Natural hazards, mass tourism: Here is a list of the most endangered places.
2/ Easter Island. This is the year that the moai are severely tested. By nature - sun, wind, humidity - but especially by some tourists judging very cool to take pictures at the top of an ancient head. Easter Island, 3680 km isolated confetti coast of Chile and 4050 km from Tahiti received a few dozen tourists a year there 20 years. In recent years, more than 50,000 visitors arrived, while the island has only 5,000 inhabitants. Chilean authorities decided in 2012 to regulate the influx of travelers drastically.
3/ Angkor, Cambodia. Before his ranking as World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO, Angkor was the victim of looting. Restored or rebuilt by missions and French funds, suffer from numerous temples installed to the gates of the site hotels, highlighting tourist pressure. Thousands of visitors each day trample eroded by centuries Platforms and simply threaten to give way.
4/ Galapagos. It is primarily a unique flora and fauna in the world, a fragile ecosystem as exceptional earning the Galapagos in 1978 earned an inscription on the List of World Heritage Site by Unesco. Tourists, divers and catamarans ply the same places and taking care deteriorates gradually the place. Some lovers Galapagos wanted to settle, but it is impossible: the authorities ensure cancel any person who is not born on the island.
5/ The Maldives. White sand, turquoise water ... Symbols of a paradise that could end up lost? 80% of land in the Maldives are less than one meter above sea level, which rises due to climate change. But then, almost 80%, and global warming causing rising sea levels (0.9 cm / year) puts the archipelago in danger. The Indian Ocean could soon engulf these paradise islands, stars postcards. But where house the 316,000 people? The government is already looking for new land: Sri Lanka, Malaysia ...
6/ Machu Picchu. It is the most visited place in South America, it has grown from 10,000 visitors in 1990 to nearly one million in 2012 Lost City of the Incas saw its weakened structure and teams in charge of preservation of places are struggling to repair the damage caused by an overdose of tourists. In 2008, Unesco had pulled the alarm. Landslides, camping, deforestation, all added to the millions of feet foulants places ingredients contribute to the collapse of the sacred place.
7/ The roofs of the world. Everest, Kilimanjaro, Mont Blanc, scroll all to see strung leaving thousands of peaks, loops and especially waste, summer and winter. Avid adventurers personal challenges and photo memories are not all nature lovers ... In France the Mont Blanc made each summer being cleaned by volunteers.
8/ Petra, Jordan. With over 3,000 hits a day, Petra explodes. The maximum holding capacity is around 2,000 people. This architectural treasure dug into the rock,, a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1985 sees the long corridor between two ocher cliffs overgrown. Conflicts in neighboring countries have given him a break, but Jordan needed currency from tourism and therefore highlights the tourist pearl. However, the Jordanian government seems to seek solutions to regulate tourist flows.
9/ Taj Mahal. The seventh wonder of the world in dust? The majestic white marble edifice is the most tourist attraction for India. Built by Emperor Shan Jahan in honor of his deceased wife during the birth of their 14th child, the Taj Mahal became a symbol of eternal love. Only the mausoleum, located in town Agraa threatens to collapse as its foundations, wood rot and pollution damages the marble facade, which fades and crumbles.
10/ Timbuktu, Mali. At the southern end of the Sahara desert, the city was an important point of trade in salt and gold Trans-Sahara. The extensive remains of a glorious past, mosques, palaces, traditional houses and old buildings, made of mud, already disappeared due to lack of maintenance and advancement of the dunes. The war in Mali has exacerbated the situation. But before rebuild or restore this heritage must first rebuild the country.
11/ Venice, the tourist sea serpent? So much has been said that Venice would disappear as everyone rushed to see her one last time, multiplying by the same tourist arrivals in the Venetian lagoon. Yet a natural monster enough to degrade this gem. His name: 'acqua alta'. With global warming, the level of the Adriatic sea rises and floods are becoming more frequent and severe ... Satellites reveal that Venice is sinking inexorably into the lagoon. A huge floating dams project is underway, but is not it too late? The people have already abandoned for many lower their houses or palaces levels.
By Hicham Bichr
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