The pristine beauty of 20 landscapes is gradually fading away.

With what humans are doing to this planet, you should be concerned for the natural landscapes you have been fortunate to see or have not had the chance to witness yet. They are increasingly being destroyed and slowly 'vanishing.'

1. Yasuni National Park, Ecuador

Yasuni National Park is located in Ecuador within the Amazon rainforest, a place with the most diverse ecosystem on our planet.

This is the habitat of the Huaorani people - a nomadic group living by hunting and gathering. It is also the residence of two indigenous tribes that remain isolated from the world, still carrying many primitive features known as Tagaeri and Taromenane.

This area has more than 4,000 plant species, 170 mammal species, and 610 bird species. Yasuni has an estimated 800 million barrels of crude oil that could be exploited. Unfortunately, the Ecuadorian government approved oil drilling in this area in 2013, leading to the threat and disappearance of Yasuni National Park, causing harm to many plant and animal species living in this region.

2. Sapa, Vietnam

Sapa is gradually becoming an enticing tourist destination, with vast stretches of lush green rice fields surrounded by majestic, towering mountain ranges, offering visitors a pristine and captivating beauty. However, due to its allure, Sapa is slowly turning into a renowned tourist spot, a trend that is sure to diminish its inherent charm.

3. Giant Coral Reef (Great Barrier Reef)

The coral reef has lost half of its expanse due to pollution, climate change, and excessive human exploitation of the marine life here. In 2013, the Australian government permitted the construction of a large seaport near this coral reef, necessitating the dredging of nearly 3 million cubic meters beneath the seabed, a development that will harm the beauty of the surrounding coral reefs.

4. Seaflower Biosphere Reserve

The Seaflower Biosphere Reserve is situated within the archipelago system of San Andrés, Providencia, and Santa Catalina in the southeastern Caribbean Sea. This UNESCO-recognized biosphere reserve aims to protect against economic interests and prevent the disruption of the ecosystem balance. However, in 2013, Nicaragua was assigned half of the Seaflower area, urging multinational corporations to explore and exploit oil reserves in this region.

5. Bagan, Myanmar is a mesmerizing destination with over 2,000 temples and Buddhist pagodas, boasting ancient relics dating back to the 11th and 12th centuries. As tourism flourishes, the delicate balance of preserving its historical charm is at risk, and the essence of personal exploration may fade away.

Bagan là nơi có tới hơn 2.000 đền, chùa Phật giáo, cùng với các di tích có niên đại từ thế kỉ thứ 11 và 12. Với lượng khách du lịch kéo đến ngày càng đông, việc đưa vào khai thác cá di tích này sẽ làm mất đi vẻ cổ kính của nó, bạn sẽ mất đi cái thú tự mình khám phá nơi này.

6. The capital city of Vientiane, Laos, also known as Vientiance, was once referred to as the City of Ten Thousand Statues. This place, abundant with monks, was formerly under French colonial rule, adorned with gilded temples stretching elegantly. However, the city is undergoing transformations with rapid urban development, attracting a substantial influx of laborers, potentially diminishing its pristine beauty.

Tiếng Việt xưa mình còn gọi là thành phố Vạn Tượng. Đây là nơi có số lượng nhà sư còn đông hơn cả khách du lịch, từng là thuộc địa của Pháp với những ngôi chùa được mạ vàng kéo dài tít tắp, nhưng mọi việc dần đang thay đổi, với việc xây dựng phát triển thành phố ồ ạt như hiện này, sẽ kéo một số lượng công nhân khổng lồ đổ thành phố này để kiếm việc, khiến thành phố sẽ mất đi vẻ đẹp nguyên thủy vốn có của nó.

7. Havana, Cuba is renowned for its colonial-era houses, remnants of the Spanish colonial period, and the vintage cars from the 1950s that grace its streets. There is a noticeable shift occurring as the Cuban Parliament enacts new legislation to draw foreign investment into the city, signaling a significant transformation underway.

Havana nổi tiếng với những khu nhà được xây từ thời còn là thuộc địa của Tây Ban Nha, với những chiếc xe hơi cổ điển của những năm 50. Mọi thứ dường như đang chuyển mình mạnh mẽ, khi Quốc hội Cuba đã thông qua một đạo luật mới nhằm thù hút đầu từ nước ngoài vào thành phố.

8. The Majestic Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

Over the past century, the iconic peak of Mount Kilimanjaro has exhibited a noticeable decline in its glacial coverage. From 1912 to 2011, the ice mass atop the summit has diminished by a staggering 85%. Scientists are nearly certain that the issue of the vanishing glacier is no longer a question to be answered but rather a matter of when it will completely disappear. Some scientists predict it will vanish by the year 2060.

9. Yangon Rediscovered, Myanmar

Yangon, the largest city in Myanmar, was once isolated from the world, barring tourists from its gates. In 2012, the travel ban was lifted, welcoming visitors from all corners of the globe. Since then, the city has undergone a rapid transformation.

10. Resilient Damascus, Syria

The ancient capital, Damascus, holds the record for being the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world. Due to the internal strife in Syria, incidents of looting and widespread destruction have plagued the city, resulting in severe damage to its historic castles and revered mosques. The extent of the damage is still being assessed.

11. Aral Sea, Uzbekistan

The Aral Sea, actually a salty lake due to its high salt concentration, was the fourth-largest lake in the world 30 years ago.

The main water sources for the Aral Sea were the Amu Darya and Syr Darya rivers. However, in the 1950s, during the ongoing war when cotton was in high demand for military uniforms, known as 'white gold', neighboring countries decided to divert the waters of the Amu Darya and Syr Darya rivers for irrigation purposes.

Due to unreasonable calculations and the hot climate of Central Asia, a significant amount of water evaporated before reaching its destination. Consequently, the Aral Sea did not receive enough water, resulting in rapid evaporation and increased salt concentration. Some fish species could not survive, leading to the gradual death of the Aral Sea. This is considered an environmental catastrophe caused by human activities.

Another factor contributing to the threat to the Aral Sea is the presence of oil and gas beneath the seabed.

12. Panajachel Town, Guatemala

Panajachel is a vibrant town situated by Lake Atitlan. During festivals, this culturally diverse town attracts Bohemian groups from around the world. The issue of drug trafficking in Panajachel has been a headache for the authorities, and in recent years, vigilante groups have disrupted or harassed foreign visitors.

13. Nuuk, Greenland

Nuuk, the capital of Greenland, is the world's largest island. It is a snow-covered land year-round, with only 15,000 inhabitants so far. Nuuk is currently planning to exploit its own mineral resources, a move that will attract thousands of workers to Greenland, potentially impacting its existing environment.

14. Tuvalu

Formed from tiny islands, Tuvalu is located in the South Pacific. Compared to the vast ocean, Tuvalu is just a small dot, with an area of only 26km2, now under serious threat from rising sea levels. The islands' area is shrinking, and there's a possibility of loss in the future. In case of emergencies, the government is planning to relocate the 10,000 Tuvaluans to New Zealand or Fiji.

15. Lake Chad

The serene waters of Lake Chad lie amidst the nations of Niger, Chad, Nigeria, and Cameroon. It serves as the homeland for hippos, crocodiles, lions, and various wildlife. However, the future looks bleak as the lake has lost 90% of its water over the past 50 years with no signs of recovery from the neighboring countries.

16. Yak Loum Lake, Cambodia

Yak Loum is a sizable lake nestled within the crater of a 4,000-year-old volcano. Revered as a sacred place by the locals, entry to the lake area comes at an affordable cost, less than a dollar, providing an excellent opportunity to immerse yourself in the local culture. Yet, impending plans backed by foreign investors and local authorities aim to transform the lake into a tourist attraction, constructing five-star hotels in the vicinity.

17. Darien Gap Rainforest Reserve

Situated between Panama and Colombia, this forest region stands as the only unscathed part of the Americas untouched by the Pan-American highway project. The planned route through Darien Gap poses an imminent threat, and it's only a matter of time before this pristine wilderness faces severe disruptions.

18. Ujong Kulon National Park, Indonesia

This national park serves as a sanctuary for the endangered Java rhinoceros. It is situated next to Anak Krakatoa, one of the most active volcanoes globally. As of February 2014, only 58 Java rhinos were recorded, sadly facing severe threats from illegal hunting and the frequent volcanic and tsunami activities in Indonesia.

19. Somaliland

Declared independent from the Republic of Somalia in 1991, Somaliland, despite having a democratic government, still awaits global recognition as an independent nation. Located in a turbulent region, Somaliland caught the attention of Coca-Cola, which invested $17 million in a factory here in 2013.

20. Lake Nicaragua

Lake Nicaragua is home to the world's only freshwater sharks. In June 2013, the government approved the construction of the Nicaragua Canal, a colossal $40 billion project connecting the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. Scientists predict severe ecological impacts on the lake's ecosystem and the livelihoods of local residents, forcing the relocation of hundreds of villages. Nicaragua will lose 400,000 hectares of tropical forests and marshlands, affecting various species' survival.

Once an independent nation

Theo Childhood Web

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Reference: Travel guide on Mytour