The Coral Triangle, Indonesia
Home to one of the most diverse collections of marine life in the world, the Coral Triangle extends from the waters of eastern Indonesia to Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, parts of Malaysia and the Solomon islands.
More than 3,000 species of fish and 600 varieties of coral-a full 75 percent of those known to exist-have been found there.
But this ecosystem faces a growing threat from overfishing as well as destructive fishing, in which explosives or poisons are used to kill the fish, not only depleting the stock but also permanently destroying their habitat.
Machu Picchu, Peru
Highly desirable species like grouper and Napoleon wrasse have already been fished to near extinction. Rising sea temperatures have also increased periods of coral bleaching, which kills the reefs.
The Coral Triangle is one is one of many endangered tourist destinations throughout the world, according to a report in Newsweek.
Some of the world’s great treasures are at risk of being “loved to death,” the magazine reported.
Tourism is threatening significant cultural sites around the world and straining water supplies, infrastructure and mar
ine life, Newsweek says.
“Tourism carries a tremendous potential that must be acknowledged as essential for the future of world heritage,” Bonnie Burnham, president of the World Monuments Fund, told the magazine. “But without proper management, we can easily get out of control.”
Some prized global treasures face threats from erosion, global warming and overdevelopment, Newsweek said.
The magazine compiled a list of “Seven Most Endangered Wonders of the World.”
* The Luxor temple complex in Egypt: Dating to the 14th century BC, the site is threatened by tourism, theft and erosion caused by salt buildup from the Aswan Dam.
* The ancient settlement of Babylon in Iraq: Built
Babylon
by King Nebuchadnezzar, artifacts uncovered at the turn of the 20th century have been removed, damaged and co
ntaminated. In the Iraq war, US troops built trenches, crushing ancient roadways.
* Coral Triangle, Indonesia: Home to 3,000 species of fish and 600 varieties of coral, the ecosystem is at risk from overfishing and rising sea temperatures.
* Machu Picchu, Peru: Some half a million visitors a year to this ancient Inca mountain city are wearing down its stone foundations.
* Maldives: This Indian Ocean nation of 12,000 islands is at risk of sinking into the sea as global warming ca
The Maldive islands
uses ocean levels to rise.
* Venice: This tourist hotspot has been slowly sinking since it was settled in AD 452, a process now being hastened by huge tidal wakes from freighters and cruise ships.
* The Great Wall of China: Nearly two-thirds of the 3,947-mile wall has been destroyed by erosion, commercialism and development.
