The breathtaking Galapagos Islands in the Republic of Ecuador still exist but they have been severely damaged due to tourism. The islands, which offer a glimpse of nature and wildlife seen nowhere else, have changed dramatically since our grandparents’ time. So much so, that UNESCO put them on the World Heritage in Danger list in 2007.
These days, tourists face many restrictions and cannot even visit the Galapagos National Park without a licensed guide. Hurry up and visit because it may not be long before even more drastic measures are taken to save the ecosystem and tourists are not allowed there at all.
Tombs of Muslim Saints
Islamic fighters from the Ansar Dine group, which was linked to al-Qaeda, went on a rampage in 2012 and destroyed cultural and religious monuments in Timbuktu, Mali. The soldiers broke down the doors of a 15th-century mosque and demolished the ancient tombs of Muslim holy men.
The tombs destroyed included those of medieval Sufi saints Sidi Mahmoud, Sidi Moctar, and Alpha Moya. The group claimed that it was against the Muslim religion to worship at graves and promised that they would not rest until every single shrine was nothing but a pile of rubble.
Umayyad Mosque
The Umayyad Mosque is one of the largest and oldest mosques in Allepo Syria and was designated as a UNESCO world heritage site. Unfortunately, in 2013, the mosque became a battleground between government forces and the al-Queda-linked Jabhat al-Nusra group.
The mosques’ minaret, which was built in the 11th century, was destroyed in April of that year and the rest of the structure was severally damaged. After the battles took their toll, the building was nearly unrecognizable Renovation work finally began in 2018.
White Sand Beaches
The white sand beaches of the Caribbean have been drawing tourists from all over the world for decades. Unfortunately, Hurricane Irma did massive damage to many beach resorts and the losses are believed to be in the billions. The powerful storm hit in August 2017, which was terrible timing because the airlines, hotels, cruises, and attractions are at their peak during the fall and winter months when people want to get away from the cold.
Or as Hugh Riley of the Caribbean Tourism Organization put it, “Any disruption in tourism is a disruption of our livelihood”. There has been extensive work done after the storm and tourism is starting to pick up again although the beaches have not been completely restored yet.
The Great Barrier Reef
In April 2016, Australia’s Great Barrier Reef become worldwide news, when it was announced that over 93% of the coral reef had been affected by bleaching to some degree. Bleaching is caused when water temperatures or other environmental factors change too rapidly and the algae that live in the coral are expelled essentially turning them white. Bleaching is about more than just losing all the beautiful colors of the reef; it usually means that the coral is under extreme stress and may not survive.
These days, less than 1% of the Northern sector is untouched and only 25% of the Southern sector is still in pristine condition. Restoration efforts are taking place, but it is highly unlikely that we will get to experience this amazing location in its full splendor in our lifetime.