World heritage is a tricky thing to protect. Even when something makes it onto UNESCO's list, other factors can still put it at risk of being damaged. The environment, climate change, tourists and development-all these can affect world heritage sites.
Recently, the National Geographic listed the best-and worst-protected heritage items in the world.
The Kathmandu Valley in Nepal scored last because the ancient temples there are surrounded by modern construction and dense air pollution.
Sometimes it is difficult to protect a world heritage site because the factors that threaten it, like climate, are hard to control. The Great Barrier Reef in northeastern Australia;for example, is suffering because of ultraviolet(紫外线的)sun rays coming through the hole in the ozone layer(臭氧层).
These rays affect the coral(珊瑚)there and kill off smaller ecosystems. There are things that can be done to preserve the life in the reef and help it survive, but repairing the hole in the ozone layer itself-the root cause of the problem-would be a difficult task.
Often the biggest damage is done by people. The Amazon Rainforest, for example, is threatened by companies wanting to chop down its trees, some of which have been there for centuries. Mining companies want to dig deep into the Amazon basin to reach the valuable resources there.
The cost of all these human actions is enormous. It's not just that whole species of animals are disappearing, or that natural beauty is being destroyed. Scientists have not had the chance to study all the plants in the Amazon, and believe some could hold potential cures for diseases.
The area is now called the Central Amazon Conservation Complex and there are rules banning or limiting destructive practices. But people-often ignore them and the destruction goes on
However, many UNESCO sites are success stories of how world heritage can be protected. The Alhambra Palace in Spain and Te Wahipounamu in New Zealand are great examples of how UNESCO and the local community can work together to save priceless landmarks. Both gained top spots on the National Geographic list as the best-protected heritage sites in the world. “Local people are all active protectors. All tourists need reminding that they are entering an exceptional place, that it is a privilege to be there, “ commented the magazine.
【小题1】What is the biggest problem facing the Kathmandu Valley in Nepal?| A．The sharp deerease in the number of ancient temples. |
| B．Serious air pollution and modernization. |
| C．Ultraviolet sun rays coming through the hole in the ozone layer. |
| D．The stream of tourists threatening ancient temples there. |
| A．little can-be done to preserve the life in the reef |
| B．the root cause of the problem is still unknown |
| C．the factor threatening it is almost beyond control |
| D．the ecosystems there have been badly destroyed. |
| A．Climate change is a major threat to the Amazon Rainforest. |
| B．The measures taken to protect the Amazon Rainforest have turned out to be highly effective. |
| C．Local people living around the Amazon Rainforest are all active protectors. |
| D．It's expected that the medical value of some unknown plants in the Amazon Rainforest will be discovered. |
| A．special advantage | B．clear signal |
| C．total failure | D．dramatic change |
