UNESCO ponders if World Heritage Sites endangered by mass tourism

By Yusof Sulaiman l eTN Asia/Pacific

Is there too much focus on Europe and the United States and not enough on Asia and the Pacific when it comes to UNESCO's World Heritage Sites?

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) committee is to discuss this week whether its World Heritage Sites are now in danger from mass tourism.

The committee, representing 21 states that make up the World Heritage Committee, will also decide if war, over development and neglect are posing new danger to the sites currently listed.

Campaigners, including Greenpeace and the Climate Justice Program, have been petitioning for inclusion of Mount Everest and the Great Barrier Reef to be listed “in danger or under threat.” Others included in the list are the Galapagos Islands, Machu Picchu, Dresden in Germany and Tower of London.

While the committee meets in Christchurch, New Zealand, China publicly announced in Kuala Lumpur that it supports Malaysia's proposal for a separate chapter of the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage center.

In October 2006, Malaysia proposed the establishment of an Asian list, arguing it felt too much emphasis and recognition is placed on Europe and the US, and not enough heritage and historical sites in Asia are being recognized.

Said Chinese Minister of Culture Sun Jiazheng, "The Chinese government supports Malaysia's proposal to UNESCO, and will continue to do so in the international arena."

"Asia has its own distinct set of values and principles, and deserves its own criteria for what constitutes a World Heritage Site," added Sun.

The Asian voice for more recognition of its heritage sites has been echoed by Pacific Island nations host New Zealand. In his opening speech, Governor General of New Zealand Anand Satyanand pointed out that despite the Pacific region covering one third of the globe, it is underrepresented on the World Heritage List.

"Speaking for the Pacific region, only East Rennel on the Solomon islands is on the World Heritage List among all of the South Pacific Small Island States,” said New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark. "After 1,000 years of human habitation, New Zealand has many fragile and unique ecosystems which must be preserved."

During its session, the committee will review applications to inscribe 36 new natural and cultural sites on the World Heritage List. "Each site is visited by a team of experts who assess the management plan presented by the authorities," said UNESCO spokeswoman Sue William.

There are currently 830 World Heritage Sites covering properties, cultural, natural and mixed status in 184 countries on UNESCO's World Heritage Site List.

Printable Version | published Jun 26, 2007

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