By Linda Tancs

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization determines the suitability of sites around the world for designation as a World Heritage Site.  Their review includes, among other things, the degree to which the nominated property contributes value to humanity.  Winners include the Pyramids, the Great Barrier Reef and Chili’s moai of Easter Island.  But are these illustrious examples of culture and natural beauty immune from devaluation?  Apparently not.  At least one WHS has been delisted because of plans to drill for some black gold. That site is Oman’s Arabian Oryx Sanctuary.  Of course, greed is but one cause of degradation.   The tourism that results from a WHS title can wreck havoc on Nature’s bounty, bringing yet another shade of meaning to the law of unintended consequences.   There is some recourse, however, short of delisting.  A site could be eligible for placement on the List of World Heritage in Danger, which triggers economic assistance to endangered sites such as the Wildlife Reserve in the Congo.  You needn’t be a government muckety-muck to get a site on this list.  You can report your own concerns to UNESCO at wh-info@unesco.org.