Two Latin American sites added to UNESCO’s Danger List
SEVILLA, 27 June 2009: Threats to Belizes barrier reef reserve in Central America and Colombias Los Katios National Park from deforestation, illegal fishing and “excessive development” have led the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to inscribe the sites on its List of World Heritage in Danger.
The agencys World Heritage Committee, which is currently meeting in Seville, said the main problem with the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System concerns mangrove cutting and excessive development in the property which was inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 1996.
The Committee requested stricter control of development on the site – the largest barrier reef in the Northern Hemisphere – as well as the reinstatement of the moratorium on mangrove cutting on the site which expired in 2008.
Los Katios National Park was placed on the Danger List at the request of Colombia so as to help mobilize international support for the preservation of the property which is threatened by deforestation, as a result of the illegal extraction of timber.
Inscribed in 1994 for its exceptional biological diversity, the site is also suffering from illegal fishing and hunting.
Kilde: FNs nyhedstjeneste
