Natural Heritage Sites Failed To Receive UN Protection

Natural heritage sites around the world, which had been designated for protection as areas of great natural importance, have been under the threat of industrial development. At least 114 of these sites, which were dubbed as being of great importance for their natural flora and fauna, were subjected to either oil extraction or under threat from other harmful industrial activities.

David Nussbaum, chief executive of WWF-UK, stated that a small fraction of the planet was not receiving the protection it deserved. According to him, these areas contributed to our growth through tourism and natural resources, as well as, livelihoods for people. Most importantely, these were home to some of the Earth's most valuable ecosystems.

The natural heritage sites, which included the Grand Canyon in the US, Australia's Great Barrier Reef, and China's panda sanctuaries in Sichuan, were all supposed to be guarded under their United Nations world heritage status. However, encroachments from industrial growth, including fossil fuel extraction and illegal logging, were threatening to damage the valuable habitats according to a feature from The Daily Mail.

The conservation charity WWF, on the other hand, reminded that the world heritage sites fell under three different categories, which are cultural, natural and mixed. Natural heritage referred to sites with great physical, geological and biological formations, including the habitats of endangered species, and areas of scientific value. Cultural heritage referred to monuments, buildings and sites with historical value. Mixed heritage referred to sites which included both criterias of nature and culture.

According to Unesco's criteria, there were 229 world heritage sites with universal value, of which 197 were natural sites, and 32 were mixed. These two designations made up over a fifth of all Unesco world heritage sites, the others being manmade such as Venice.

Natural heritage sites, according to critics, had not been ensured the protection designated by the UN. The Unesco world heritage status was a coveted title, but also conferred responsibilities on the bodies in charge of these sites, according to Discovery.