Buzz
Considering what humanity is doing to this planet, there's a growing concern for the natural landscapes you've been fortunate to witness or haven't had the chance to see. They are increasingly being destroyed and slowly “disappearing.”
1. Yasuni National Park, Ecuador
Yasuni National Park, situated in Ecuador within the Amazon rainforest, stands as the most diverse ecosystem on our planet.
It is the home of the Huaorani people, a nomadic group living by hunting and gathering. It is also the habitat of two isolated indigenous tribes, Tagaeri and Taromenane, living in relative seclusion from the outside world.
This area boasts over 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 numerous plant and animal species in the region.
2. Sapa, Vietnam
Sapa is gradually evolving into a captivating tourist destination, adorned with endless vibrant green rice fields stretching endlessly, surrounded by majestic mountain ranges, offering travelers a pristine allure. However, due to its enchanting beauty, Sapa is slowly transforming into a renowned tourist spot, inevitably eroding its inherent charm.
3. The Massive Coral Reef (Great Barrier Reef)
The coral reef has lost half of its expanse due to pollution, climate change, and excessive human harvesting of the living organisms here. In 2013, the Australian government permitted the construction of a large seaport near the reef, involving the dredging of nearly 3 million cubic meters from the seabed, posing a threat to 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. Recognized by UNESCO, this biosphere reserve aims to protect against economic interests, preventing ecological imbalances. However, in 2013, Nicaragua was given control of half of the Seaflower area, inviting multinational corporations to explore and exploit oil resources in the region.
5. Bagan, Myanmar
Bagan is home to over 2,000 Buddhist temples and pagodas, dating back to the 11th and 12th centuries. With an increasing number of tourists, the commercialization of these historical sites will strip away its ancient charm, and the sense of personal exploration will be lost.
6. Capital City Vientiane, Laos
Formerly known as the City of Sandalwood, Vientiane boasts a higher population of monks than tourists. Once a French colony, it features gilded temples that stretch elegantly. However, with the current rapid city development and the influx of a massive workforce, the city is losing its original pristine beauty.
7. Havana, Cuba
Havana is renowned for its colonial-era Spanish architecture and vintage cars from the 1950s. Everything seems to be undergoing significant transformation as the Cuban Parliament has recently passed new legislation aimed at attracting foreign investment into the city.
8. Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
Over the past century, Mount Kilimanjaro has exhibited a significant reduction in its glacial coverage. From 1912 to 2011, the ice mass on its summit decreased by 85%. Scientists are almost certain that the question is no longer if the ice will disappear but rather when. Some predict it will vanish by 2060.
9. Yangon, Myanmar
Yangon, Myanmar's largest city, was once isolated from the world, not allowing tourists to visit. In 2012, the ban was lifted, opening its doors to visitors from around the globe. Since then, the city has undergone rapid transformation.
10. Damascus, Syria
The capital city of Damascus holds the record as the world's oldest continuously inhabited city. Due to the Syrian civil war, looting, and widespread destruction, the ancient castles and revered mosques of the city have suffered severe damage. The extent of the devastation is still under assessment.
11. Aral Sea, Uzbekistan
The Aral Sea, essentially a saline lake due to its high salt concentration, was once the fourth-largest lake in the world 30 years ago.
The primary water sources for the Aral Sea are the Amu Darya and Syr Darya rivers. In the 1950s, during a time of war when cotton was considered 'white gold' for military uniforms, neighboring countries decided to divert the waters of the Amu Darya and Syr Darya for irrigation purposes.
However, due to improper planning and the scorching temperatures of Central Asia, much of the water evaporated before reaching its destination. Consequently, the Aral Sea wasn't supplied with enough water, leading to rapid evaporation, elevated salt levels, and the demise of certain fish species. The Aral Sea is slowly dying, marking an environmental catastrophe caused by human intervention.
Another contributing factor is the presence of oil and gas beneath the seabed, further jeopardizing the Aral Sea region.
12. Panajachel, Guatemala
Panajachel is a bustling town nestled beside Lake Atitlan. During festivals, this culturally diverse town attracts Bohemian groups from around the world. The issue of drug trafficking in Panajachel has posed challenges for the authorities, and in recent years, security groups have been vigilant in dealing with or disrupting foreign visitors involved in these activities.
13. Nuuk, Greenland
Nuuk, the capital of Greenland, is the world's largest island. It is a snowy land throughout the year, with only 15,000 inhabitants so far. Nuuk is currently planning to exploit its own ore mines, a move that will draw thousands of workers to Greenland, potentially impacting its existing environment.
14. Tuvalu
Formed from small islands, Tuvalu is located in the South Pacific. Compared to the vast ocean, Tuvalu is just a tiny dot, with an area of only 26km2. It is seriously threatened by rising sea levels, causing the islands to shrink, and potential disappearance in the future. As a precaution, the government plans to relocate 10,000 Tuvaluans to New Zealand or Fiji in case of emergencies.
15. Lake Chad
Lake Chad, a freshwater lake situated among Niger, Chad, Nigeria, and Cameroon, is home to hippos, crocodiles, lions, and other animals. However, this might not last long as the lake has lost 90% of its water over the past 50 years without signs of recovery from neighboring countries.
16. Yak Loum Lake, Cambodia
Yak Loum is a large lake located in a 4,000-year-old volcanic crater. It is considered a sacred place for the locals. The entrance fee to the lake area is very affordable, less than a dollar, providing a great way for you to access the culture of the indigenous people. However, upcoming foreign investors, backed by local authorities, are planning to exploit the lake for tourism and construct five-star hotels.
17. Darien Gap Rainforest
This forest, located between Panama and Colombia, is the only area in the Americas unaffected by the Pan-American highway project. The highway project is planned to cut through the Darien Gap forest, and it's only a matter of time before it faces significant impact.
18. Ujung 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 in the world. As of February 2014, the population of Java rhinoceros was alarmingly low, with only 58 individuals remaining. Unfortunately, this rare species is facing a serious threat from illegal hunting and the volcanic activities and tsunamis common in Indonesia.
19. Somaliland
Somaliland declared its independence from the Republic of Somalia in 1991. However, it still lacks international recognition as an independent nation. Positioned amidst global turmoil, Somaliland has a democratic government, although acknowledgment from the world remains a distant prospect for Somaliland. Coca-Cola invested $17 million in building a factory here in 2013.
20. Lake Nicaragua
Lake Nicaragua is the sole habitat for freshwater sharks in the world. In June 2013, the government approved the construction of the Nicaragua Canal. This massive $40 billion project will connect the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.
Scientists predict that this will significantly impact the lake's ecosystem and the lives of people around it. Hundreds of villages will have to relocate. Nicaragua will lose 400,000 hectares of tropical forests and marshlands, affecting the survival of various species.
As per Web Kids Magazine
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Reference: Travel Guide Mytour
MytourJune 18, 2014
