List of World Heritage in Danger
The List of World Heritage in Danger is compiled by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization through the World Heritage Committee according to Article 11.4 of the World Heritage Convention, which was established in 1972 to designate and manage World Heritage Sites. Entries in the list are threatened World Heritage Sites for the conservation of which major operations are required and for which "assistance has been requested". The list is intended to increase international awareness of the threats and to encourage counteractive measures. Threats to a site can be either proven imminent threats or potential dangers that could have adverse effects on a site.
In the case of natural sites, ascertained dangers include the serious decline in the population of an endangered or other valuable species or the deterioration of natural beauty or scientific value of a property caused by human activities such as logging, pollution, settlement, mining, agriculture and major public works. Ascertained dangers for cultural properties include serious deterioration of materials, structure, ornaments or architectural coherence and the loss of historical authenticity or cultural significance. Potential dangers for both cultural and natural sites include development projects, armed conflicts, insufficient management systems or changes in the legal protective status of the properties. In the case of cultural sites, gradual changes due to geology, climate or environment can also be potential dangers.
Before a property is inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger, its condition is assessed and a potential programme for corrective measures is developed in cooperation with the State Party involved. The final decision about inscription is made by the committee. Financial support from the World Heritage Fund may be allocated by the committee for listed properties. The state of conservation is reviewed on a yearly basis, after which the committee may request additional measures, delete the property from the list if the threats have ceased or consider deletion from both the List of World Heritage in Danger and the World Heritage List. Of the two Former UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the Dresden Elbe Valley was delisted after placement on the List of World Heritage in Danger while the Arabian Oryx Sanctuary was directly delisted. Some sites have been designated as World Heritage Sites and World Heritage in Danger in the same year, such as the Church of the Nativity, traditionally considered to be the birthplace of Jesus.
In some cases, danger listing has sparked conservation efforts and prompted the release of funds, resulting in a positive development for sites such as the Galápagos Islands and Yellowstone National Park, both of which have subsequently been removed from the List of World Heritage in Danger. Despite this, the list itself and UNESCO's implementation of it have been the focus of criticism. In particular, States Parties and other stakeholders of World Heritage Sites have questioned the authority of the Committee to declare a site in danger without their consent. Until 1992, when UNESCO set a precedent by placing several sites on the danger list against their wishes, States Parties would have submitted a programme of corrective measures before a site could be listed. Instead of being used as intended, the List of World Heritage in Danger is perceived by some states as a black list and according to Christina Cameron, Professor at the School of Architecture, Canada Research Chair on Built Heritage, University of Montreal, has been used as political tool to get the attention of States Parties. The International Union for Conservation of Nature notes that UNESCO has referenced the List of World Heritage in Danger in a number of cases where the threat could be easily addressed by the State Party. The Union also argues that keeping a site listed as endangered over a long period is questionable and that other mechanisms for conservation should be sought in these cases.
, there are 53 entries on the List of World Heritage in Danger. Arranged by the UNESCO regions, 21 of the listed sites are located in the Arab States, 16 in Africa, 6 in Latin America and the Caribbean, 6 in Asia and the Pacific, and 4 in Europe and North America. The majority of the endangered natural sites are located in Africa.
Currently listed sites
;Table legend| Name | Image | Location | Criteria | Area ha | Year | Endangered | Reason | Refs |
| Abu Mena | EgyAbusir, Egypt | Cultural: | 1979 | 2001– | Cave-ins in the area caused by the clay at the surface, which becomes semi-liquid when met with "excess water" | |||
| Air and Ténéré Natural Reserves | Niger1Arlit Department, Niger | Natural: ,, | 1991 | 1992– | Military conflict and civil disturbance in the region as well as a reduction of wildlife population and degradation of the vegetation cover | |||
| Ancient City of Aleppo | Cultural: | 1986 | 2013– | Syrian Civil War, currently held by the government. Bombings continue threatening the site. | ||||
| Ancient City of Bosra | Cultural: | — | 1980 | 2013– | Syrian Civil War, held by the government. | |||
| Ancient City of Damascus | Cultural: | 1979 | 2013– | Syrian Civil War, rebel gunfire and mortar shelling, mainly from adjacent Jobar suburb endangers foundations. | ||||
| Ancient Villages of Northern Syria | Cultural: | 2011 | 2013– | Syrian Civil War, some held by rebels. Reports of looting and demolitions by Islamist groups. | ||||
| Archaeological Site of Cyrene | LibJebel Akhdar, Libya | Cultural: ,, | — | 1982 | 2016– | Libyan Civil War, presence of armed groups, already incurred and potential further damage. | ||
| Archaeological Site of Leptis Magna | LibKhoms, Libya | Cultural: ,, | — | 1982 | 2016– | Libyan Civil War, presence of armed groups, already incurred and potential further damage. | ||
| Archaeological Site of Sabratha | LibSabratha, Libya | Cultural: | — | 1982 | 2016– | Libyan Civil War, presence of armed groups, already incurred and potential further damage. | ||
| Ashur | IraqSalah ad Din, Iraq | Cultural: , | 2003 | 2003– | A planned reservoir that would have partially flooded the site was suspended in the wake of the Iraq War by the new administration; lack of adequate protection. | |||
| Chan Chan Archaeological Zone | PerLa Libertad, Peru | Cultural: , | 1986 | 1986– | Natural erosion | |||
| City of Potosí | Potosí, | Cultural: ,, | 1987 | 2014– | Continued mining has left the mountain porous and unstable, causing portions of the summit to collapse, also the target of future mining by the Bolivian Mining Corp. Recommendations to preserve the site have not been followed through. | |||
| Coro and its Port | VenFalcón, Venezuela | Cultural: , | 1993 | 2005– | Damage to a great number of structures due to heavy rain between November 2004 and February 2005 as well as the construction of a new monument, a beach walkway and an entrance gate to the city in the buffer zone which could have considerable impact on the value of the site | |||
| Crac des Chevaliers and Qal’at Salah El-Din | Cultural: | 2006 | 2013– | Syrian Civil War, once held by Al-Nusra Front and other Islamist groups, reclaimed by Syrian Arab Army and Hezbollah fighters. Reports of damages and looting caused by Islamist groups was released by the government. | ||||
| Cultural Landscape and Archaeological Remains of the Bamiyan Valley | AfgBamyan, Afghanistan | Cultural: ,,,, | 2003 | 2003– | Fragile conservation state due to abandonment, military action and dynamite explosions; causing dangers such as risk of collapse of Buddha niches, further deterioration of cave murals, looting and illicit excavations. Destruction during the rule of Taliban due to their teachings that the statues are abominations to Islam. | |||
| East Rennell | Solomon IslandRennell and Bellona Province, Solomon Islands | Natural: | 1998 | 2013– | Damage to the site due to logging and its effect on the local ecoystem | |||
| Everglades National Park | United StatesFlorida, United States | Natural: ,, | 1979 | 1993–2007, 2010– | Damage due to Hurricane Andrew and deterioration of water flow and quality due to agricultural and urban development ; continued degradation of the site resulting in a loss of marine habitat and decline in marine species | |||
| PanColón Province, Panama | Cultural: , | — | 1980 | 2012– | Environmental factors, lack of maintenance and urban development | |||
| Garamba National Park | DemOrientale, Democratic Republic of the Congo | Natural: , | 1980 | 1984–1992, 1996– | Reduction of Northern White Rhinoceros population ; poaching of two white rhinos, killing of three rangers and no plan for corrective measures by the authorities | |||
| Hatra | IrqNineveh Governorate, Iraq | Cultural: ,,, | 1985 | 2015– | Damage inflicted to the property by armed groups | |||
| Hebron/Al-Khalil Old Town | PalHebron Governorate, Palestine | Cultural: ,, | 2017 | 2017– | ||||
| Historic Centre of Shakhrisyabz | UzbQashqadaryo Region, Uzbekistan | Cultural: , | 2000 | 2016– | Destruction of buildings in its medieval neighbourhoods and continuing urban development. | |||
| Historic Centre of Vienna | Aut Vienna, Austria | Cultural: | 2001 | 2017– | New high-rise projects | |||
| Historic Town of Zabīd | YemAl Hudaydah, Yemen | Cultural: ,, | — | 1993 | 2000– | Deteriorating state of historic buildings, inscribed on request of the State Party | ||
| Islands and Protected Areas of the Gulf of California | MexicoBaja California, Baja California Sur, Sonora, Sinaloa and Nayarit, | Natural: ,, | 2005 | 2019– | Imminent extinction of the vaquita, an endemic porpoise in the gulf | |||
| Kahuzi-Biega National Park | DemSouth Kivu and Maniema, Democratic Republic of the Congo | Natural: | 1980 | 1997– | Deforestation, hunting as well as war and civil strife | |||
| Lake Turkana National Parks | KenKenya | Natural: | 1997 | 2018– | Impact of Ethiopia's Gilgel Gibe III Dam on the lake's flow and ecosystem | |||
| Liverpool – Maritime Mercantile City | United KingdomLiverpool England, United Kingdom | Cultural: ,, | 2004 | 2012– | Due to the proposed redevelopment of historic docklands known as Liverpool Waters | |||
| Manovo-Gounda St Floris National Park | CenBamingui-Bangoran, Central African Republic | Natural: , | 1988 | 1997– | Illegal grazing and poaching, deteriorating security situation | |||
| Minaret and Archaeological Remains of Jam | AfgGhōr, Afghanistan | Cultural: ,, | 2002 | 2002– | Lack of legal protection, lack of protection measure or management plan, poor condition of the site | |||
| Medieval Monuments in Kosovo | Kosovo | Cultural: ,, | 2004 | 2006– | Lack of legal protection and management; political instability and security | |||
| Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve | CotLola Prefecture, Côte d'Ivoire* Guinea* | Natural: , | 1981 | 1992– | Iron ore mining concession on part of the World Heritage Site and influx of large number of refugees on the Guinean part of the site | |||
| Nan Madol: Ceremonial Centre of Eastern Micronesia | MicronesiaTemwen Island, Micronesia | Cultural: ,,, | 2016 | 2016– | Continuing siltation of waterways contributing to overgrowth and undermining existing structures. | |||
| Niokolo-Koba National Park | SenTambacounda Region and Kédougou Region, Senegal | Natural: | 1981 | 2007– | Degradation of property, low mammal population, management problems and impact of a proposed dam on the Gambia River | |||
| Okapi Wildlife Reserve | Dem Orientale, Democratic Republic of the Congo | Natural: | 1996 | 1997– | Looting of park facilities and killing of elephants as a result of an armed conflict in the area | |||
| Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls | JerJerusalem | Cultural: ,, | — | 1981 | 1982– | Uncontrolled urban development, general deterioration of the state of conservation due to tourism and lack of maintenance. | ||
| Old City of Sana'a | YemSana'a Governorate, Yemen | Cultural: ,, | — | 1986 | 2015– | Yemeni Civil War | ||
| Old Town of Ghadamès | LibGhadames, Libya | Cultural: | — | 1986 | 2016– | Libyan Civil War, presence of armed groups, already incurred and potential further damage. | ||
| Old Towns of Djenné | MalDjenné, Mali | Cultural: , | — | 1988 | 2016– | Regional insecurity, deteriorating state of the historic town, urbanization and erosion. | ||
| Palestine: Land of Olives and Vines – Cultural Landscape of Southern Jerusalem, Battir | Pal Battir, Palestine | Cultural: | 2014 | 2014– | The Israeli West Bank barrier "may isolate farmers from fields they have cultivated for centuries". | |||
| Old Walled City of Shibam | YemHadhramaut Governorate, Yemen | Cultural: ,, | — | 1982 | 2015– | Potential threat from the armed conflict, compounding safeguarding and management problems already observed at the site | ||
| Rainforests of the Atsinanana | MadEastern Madagascar, Madagascar | Natural: , | 2007 | 2010– | Illegal logging and hunting of endangered lemurs | |||
| Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve | HonLa Mosquitia, Honduras | Natural: ,,, | — | 1982 | 1996–2007, 2011– | Logging, fishing and land occupation; poaching and the reduced capacity of the state to manage the site; largely due to the deterioration of law and to the presence of drug traffickers | ||
| Rock-Art Sites of Tadrart Acacus | LibFezzan, Libya | Cultural: | — | 1985 | 2016– | Libyan Civil War, presence of armed groups, already incurred and potential further damage. | ||
| Salonga National Park | DemÉquateur and Bandundu Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo | Natural: , | 1984 | 1999– | Breakdown of civil order | |||
| Samarra Archaeological City | IraqSalah ad Din, Iraq | Cultural: ,, | 2007 | 2007– | Security situation following the Iraq War and lack of state control for protection or management of the site | |||
| Selous Game Reserve | TanzaniaCoast, Morogoro, Lindi, Mtwara and Ruvuma Regions, | Natural: , | 1982 | 2014– | Exploration and extraction of minerals, large infrastructure projects | |||
| Site of Palmyra | Cultural: | 1980 | 2013– | Syrian Civil War, captured by the notoriously iconoclastic Islamic State terrorist organization. | ||||
| Timbuktu | MaliTimbuktu, Timbuktu Region, | Cultural: ,, | — | 1988 | 2012– | Threat of destruction by the Islamist groups like Al-Qaeda in Islamic Maghreb, Ansar Dine and Boko Haram. Some monuments are now pillaged and destroyed. | ||
| Tomb of Askia | MaliGao, Gao Region, | Cultural: ,, | 2004 | 2012– | Damaged by Islamist groups like Al-Qaeda in Islamic Maghreb and Ansar Dine. Reported destroyed by Ansar Dine when they captured Timbuktu. | |||
| Tombs of Buganda Kings at Kasubi | UgandaKampala District, Uganda | Cultural: ,, , | 2001 | 2010– | Destruction of the Muzibu Azaala Mpanga, the main building of the site, by fire in March 2010 | |||
| Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra | IndonesiaSumatra, Indonesia | Natural: ,, | 2004 | 2011– | Poaching, illegal logging, agricultural encroachment, and plans to build roads through the site | |||
| Virunga National Park | DemNorth Kivu and Orientale, | Natural: ,, | 1979 | 1994– | Deforestation and poaching as a result of the influx of refugees due to the Rwandan Civil War |
Previously listed sites
There are a number of sites that were previously listed as being in danger, but they were later removed from the list after improvements in management and conservation. The Everglades National Park was listed from 1993 to 2007 and again since 2010; the Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve was listed from 1996 to 2007 and again since 2011. Both are therefore included in the list of currently listed sites.| Name | Image | Location | Criteria | Area ha | Year | Endangered | Reason | Refs |
| Angkor | Cultural: ,,, | — | 1992 | 1992–2004 | Inscription initially limited to a three-year period during which effective legal protection, boundary and buffer zones were to be established and international conservation efforts were to be monitored and coordinated; at the time of inscription, Cambodia was UN-controlled following the civil war in the 1980s. | |||
| Bagrati Cathedral and Gelati Monastery | GeorImereti, Georgia | Cultural: | 1994 | 2010–2017 | Major reconstruction project that will lead to irreversible interventions. The boundaries of the site was modified in 2017. Bagrati Cathedral was removed from the list of World Heritage Sites after its reconstruction however Gelati Monastery remained on the list | |||
| Bahla Fort | Cultural: | — | 1987 | 1988–2004 | Degradation of earth structures of the fort and of the oasis of Bahla | |||
| Bam and its Cultural Landscape | IranKerman, Iran | Cultural: ,,, | — | 2004 | 2004–2013 | Following the damage due to the 2003 Bam earthquake | ||
| Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System | BelBelize, Stann Creek and Toledo Belize | Natural: ,, | 1996 | 2009–2018 | Mangrove cutting and excessive development | |||
| Birthplace of Jesus: Church of the Nativity and the Pilgrimage Route, Bethlehem | Pal Bethlehem, Palestine | Cultural: , | 2012 | 2012–2019 | Damage due to water leaks | |||
| Butrint | Cultural: | 1992 | 1997–2005 | Damages due to management and conservation | ||||
| Cologne Cathedral | Cultural: ,, | — | 1996 | 2004–2006 | High-rise building plan near the cathedral threatening to inflict damage to the integrity of the property; delisted after the building plan was halted and a buffer zone introduced | |||
| Comoé National Park | CotZanzan, Côte d'Ivoire | Natural: , | 1983 | 2003–2017 | Civil unrest, poaching and lack of effective management mechanisms | |||
| Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary | Natural: , | 1981 | 1984–1988, 2000–2006 | Long term threat by construction plan for a down-stream dam ; delisted as water supply to the park was insured by the construction of a sluice and a management plan was being prepared; relisted due to environmental and economical threats posed by the introduced species Salvinia molesta and Pistia stratiotes as well as issues with water management in the park | ||||
| Dresden Elbe Valley | Cultural: ,,, | 2004 | 2006–2009 | Construction plans for the Waldschlösschen Bridge in the core area of the cultural landscape; removed from the list of World Heritage Sites in 2009 after construction commenced at the end of 2007 | ||||
| Dubrovnik | Cultural: ,, | 1979 | 1991–1998 | Croatian War of Independence | ||||
| Fort and Shalamar Gardens in Lahore | PakPunjab, Pakistan | Cultural: ,, | — | 1981 | 2000–2012 | Destruction of historic water tanks in 1999 to widen a road and deteriorating perimeter walls of the Garden, listed on request of the Pakistan government | ||
| Galápagos Islands | Natural: ,,, | 1978 | 2007–2010 | Various threats including insufficient prevention of possibilities for the introduction of alien species, insufficient resource allocation for conservation agencies and park management, presence of a large number of illegal immigrants, rapid uncontrolled growth of tourism, fishing over-capacity and sports fishing | ||||
| Group of Monuments at Hampi | Cultural: ,, | — | 1986 | 1999–2006 | Partial construction of two cable-suspended bridges within the protected archaeological areas of Hampi threatening the integrity and authenticity of the site | |||
| Historical Monuments of Mtskheta | GeorMtskheta-Mtianeti, Georgia | Cultural: , | — | 1994 | 2009–2016 | Deterioration of stonework and frescoes, mismanagement and urban development | ||
| Humberstone and Santa Laura Saltpeter Works | ChilTarapacá, Chile | Cultural: ,, | — | 2005 | 2005–2019 | Fragile nature of structures due to lack of maintenance for 40 years; also damage, vandalism and some dismantling; looting | ||
| Ichkeul National Park | Natural: | 1980 | 1996–2006 | Construction of dams limiting the freshwater flow to the area and causing an increased salinity of the lake and the marshes as well as a decrease in the number of migrating bird populations | ||||
| Iguaçu National Park | Natural: , | 1986 | 1999–2001 | Illegally opened road through the park, dams on the Iguazu River and helicopter flights. | ||||
| Kathmandu Valley | Cultural: ,, | 1979 | 2003–2007 | Partial or substantial loss of the traditional elements of six out of seven monument zones and resulting general loss of authenticity and integrity of the whole property. | ||||
| Los Katíos National Park | Natural: , | 1994 | 2009–2015 | Deforestation, illegal fishing and hunting. Removed following significant improvements to Park management | ||||
| Manas Wildlife Sanctuary | Natural: ,, | 1985 | 1992–2011 | Poaching, damage to the park's infrastructure and decrease in the population of some species particularly the Greater One Horned Rhino following an invasion by militants of the Bodo tribe in 1992 | ||||
| Natural and Culturo-Historical Region of Kotor | Cultural: ,,, | — | 1979 | 1979–2003 | Damage following the earthquake from 15 April 1979 | |||
| Ngorongoro Conservation Area | Natural: ,,,, | — | 1978 | 1984–1989 | Declining conservation status | |||
| Plitvice Lakes National Park | Natural: ,, | 1979 | 1992–1997 | Potential threat due to the Croatian War of Independence | ||||
| Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras | PhiIfugao, Philippines | Cultural: ,, | 1995 | 2001–2012 | Absence of systematic monitoring programme or a comprehensive management plan | |||
| Royal Palaces of Abomey | Cultural: , | 1985 | 1985–2007 | General state of deterioration due to the elements and inappropriate restoration which are in conflict with the authenticity of the site | ||||
| Ruins of Kilwa Kisiwani and Ruins of Songo Mnara | TanKilwa District, Tanzania | Cultural: | — | 1981 | 2004–2014 | Continuing deterioration of the site due to various agents such as erosion or plants | ||
| Rwenzori Mountains National Park | Natural: , | 1994 | 1999–2004 | Security situation and lack of monitoring of a major part of the park | ||||
| Sangay National Park | Natural: ,,, | 1983 | 1992–2005 | Heavy poaching, illegal livestock grazing, encroachment and potential threat through a road construction project | ||||
| Simien National Park | EthAmhara Region, Ethiopia | Natural: , | 1978 | 1996–2017 | Deterioration of population of Walia ibex | |||
| Srebarna Nature Reserve | Natural: | 1983 | 1992–2003 | Prevention of seasonal flooding and agricultural use causing a decline or disappearance of the water and passerine bird populations | ||||
| Timbuktu | Cultural: ,, | — | 1988 | 1990–2005 | Threat of sand encroachment | |||
| Tipasa | Cultural: , | 1982 | 2002–2006 | Inadequate maintenance affecting the integrity of the site and its buffer zone | ||||
| Walled City of Baku with Shirvanshah's Palace and Maiden Tower | Cultural: | — | 2000 | 2003–2009 | Damage sustained during the 2000 Baku earthquake, urban development and inadequate conservation efforts | |||
| Wieliczka Salt Mine | Cultural: | 1978 | 1989–1998 | Humidity problem | ||||
| Yellowstone National Park | Natural: ,,, | 1978 | 1995–2003 | Ascertained dangers to Yellowstone cutthroat trout as well as sewage leakage and waste contamination in parts of the park; potential threats to water quantity and quality, past and proposed mining activities, a proposed control programme to eradicate brucellosis in the bison herds |