Latest news with #UnescoWorldHeritage
Time of India
8 hours ago
- Time of India
Valley of Flowers reopens for visitors, 83 trek to national park on 1st day
Dehradun: The Valley of Flowers National Park, a Unesco World Heritage site in the Garhwal Himalayas, reopened for tourists on Sunday. Each year, the alpine valley located over 9,000 ft above sea level in Uttarakhand's Chamoli district opens to the public on June 1 and closes around Oct 31 for winter. On the first day of the season this year, 83 visitors trekked to the valley, four of whom had registered online. Declared a national park in 1982, the Valley of Flowers is home to more than 600 plant species, including Uttarakhand's state flower, Brahma Kamal (Saussurea obvallata), along with Aster, Delphinium, Himalayan Blue Poppy, Ranunculus, Potentilla, Primula, and Lilium. Rich in biodiversity, the 87.5 sq km valley also houses endangered animal species such as snow leopards, Himalayan black bear, musk deer, Bharal (blue sheep), and red foxes. The valley was accidentally discovered in 1931 by British mountaineer and botanist Frank S Smythe when he lost his way while returning from an expedition to Mount Kamet. After it was damaged in the 2013 floods, the 4 to 10 km trek route from Ghangaria to the valley has remained in poor condition. DS Negi, a retired range officer, told TOI, "Since 2013, trekkers have been unable to go beyond 4 to 5 km due to the poor condition of the route, whereas earlier, they could venture more than 10 km into the valley." He added that landslides have always been a big challenge for the tourists coming to the valley and that the issues are yet to be resolved "despite multiple proposals sent to the govt". Forest range officer Chetna Kandpal also acknowledged that the trek is challenging , especially a 2 km stretch which runs over rocky terrain. "Temporary bridges have been constructed over streams, and paths damaged by snowfall have been repaired. This year, an online registration system has also been introduced for visitors," Kandpal said.
South China Morning Post
2 days ago
- Business
- South China Morning Post
How Ghana is losing its coastline and parts of its slave trade history to climate change
The salty wind blows across the ruins of Ghana's Fort Prinzenstein, where thick walls once held thousands of enslaved Africans before their journey across the Atlantic. Now only a shell remains – a crumbling monument teetering at the edge of the sea. Advertisement For centuries, Ghana's coastline has borne the brunt of history. Today it is being consumed by nature and neglect as climate change, rising sea levels and unchecked human activity eat away at the 550-kilometre (340-mile) shore. Villages are vanishing, and with them, centuries-old heritage. The modern economy is also at risk. A few metres away from the fort, Ernestina Gavor cleans a glass behind a bar. 'I'm hoping it survives a few more years,' she says, noting that the restaurant relies on tourists to keep afloat. Fort Prinzenstein, once a Danish slave fort and now a Unesco World Heritage site, is among the most threatened sites on Ghana's coast. The coastline used to be about 7km away from Ghana's Fort Prinzenstein. Photo: AFP James Ocloo Akorli, its caretaker for 24 years, has watched the Gulf of Guinea claw away at the structure – and his memories.
Telegraph
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
How Greenwich became London's loveliest spot
Historic and handsome, with sweeping Thames views, a royal park and maritime heritage, Greenwich is one of London's most atmospheric neighbourhoods. The walls of its pubs echo with sailors' tales and its institutions are frequented by visitors from all over the globe, who come to marvel at painted ceilings and astronomic instruments of centuries past. With a pace of life that's more promenade than power-walk – except during the annual exodus of London marathoners – Greenwich's riverside pubs, bustling market and impressive museums make it the ideal place for a weekend escape (even if you live in London). Although you could arrive by train (note that the Cutty Sark DLR station is closed until spring 2026), it's far more fun, and scenic, to take the boat or the foot tunnel from the Isle of Dogs. Greenwich is south of the river – a vital distinction to Londoners – with trendy Peckham to the west, Blackheath and Lewisham to the south and Woolwich to the east. A Unesco World Heritage Site in parts, this pocket of London feels simultaneously grand and grounded. Here are all the things which make it an ideal place for your next domestic minibreak. Where time begins Climb up through Greenwich Park, one of the capital's oldest royal parks, and you'll reach the place where the Prime Meridian line slices the globe in two. Stand astride it, half in the eastern hemisphere and half in the west – looking down across distinctive twin domes to the river and the tower-speckled skyline – and feel the pull of centuries of discovery. Although its name references leafy, waterside qualities (so called by Danish settlers, Greenwich literally means 'green place on the bay'), for most, it is inextricably connected with time. Greenwich Mean Time, accepted globally in 1884 as the standard time reference, originated at the Royal Observatory, the first state-funded, purpose-built scientific institution in Britain; it was founded by King Charles II to aid maritime navigation. Today, it's a major museum and scientific site, showcasing the history of astronomy and the evolution of timekeeping, and celebrating its 350th anniversary in 2025 with special exhibitions and events. Families should book in for Ted's Space Adventure (at weekends and in the school holidays); a 30-minute, child-friendly show which introduces the planets and stars through music, storytelling and science. Maritime roots and market finds At the heart of Greenwich is the Old Royal Naval College, Sir Christopher Wren's architectural masterpiece and once the site of the royal palace where Henry VIII was born. It's now an occasional star of the silver screen (Les Misérables, The King's Speech, The Golden Compass). The moment you step inside the Painted Hall – originally built as a dining hall for retired seamen – you'll better understand why it took 19 years to complete, and why it's sometimes called the 'British Sistine Chapel'. This is just one of several Unesco buildings worth admiring in the area. The National Maritime Museum houses one of the world's largest collections of nautical treasures, from shipwreck relics to polar exploration gear and historic star charts; the elegant Queen's House next door blends classical design with world-famous artworks. Less than half a mile away, the Cutty Sark – the fastest tea clipper of her day and the world's last surviving example – is moored in magnificent retirement, her vast iron hull raised above ground so you can wander beneath it. Greenwich's covered market, open daily, was reinvigorated a decade ago and has been handsomely rewarded for its efforts. Wander through this vibrant hub of vendors, packed with handmade jewellery, vintage books, contemporary crafts and street food stalls where queues form before noon. Pick up fine cheese and charcuterie from French deli L'Hexagone or traditional candies, sold by the quarter, at Mr Humbug. Nearby, Beadoir, a boutique specialising in beads and handcrafted jewellery, also offers classes to make your own pieces, while at Made In Greenwich, you can support local artists and makers, buying everything from ceramics and textiles to foodie treats. If you're visiting in May, check out the Urban Village Fete, Greenwich Peninsula's biggest free day out. At any time of year, the gorgeous park is worth saving time for, from its Roman Temple, cherry blossoms and flower garden to what Google Maps helpfully labels as Best Deer Viewing Spot. Pubs, pies, sausages and street food Although Greenwich has its fair share of upscale dining options, like Southern Italian restaurant Bianco43, it does a roaring trade in hearty pub grub, café fare and more-ish street food, devoured by locals and visitors with equal zest. The Plume of Feathers – the oldest pub in Greenwich, which predates even the Old Royal Naval College – has been welcoming travellers since 1691 in its prime spot near the park's boating spot. If you fancy a pub crawl, the walk towards Deptford and Rotherhithe is dappled with historic riverside taverns; while in the other direction, the Trafalgar Tavern is perennially popular, with maritime décor and distinctive bunting. Locals get coffee and cake from Grind or 15grams Coffee House, and pizza from Wandercrust at The Pelton Arms. East End nostalgia comes in the form of pie and mash at Goddards at Greenwich on King William Walk, a 135-year-old family-run institution. The best British bangers are found down the road at Heap's Sausage Café on the corner of Greenwich Park. Its neighbour, Oliver's Jazz Bar, plays live music every night until late. Spend the night Moments from Greenwich Park, the museums and the Thames is the smart, unassuming pub-with-rooms Admiral Hardy (from £174 per night), with a back door that opens into Greenwich Market and its own pub garden. Greenwich Theatre or The O2 with a day or two exploring this lovely part of London.
Straits Times
3 days ago
- Straits Times
Labuan Bajo on Indonesia's famed Komodo island is buzzing but overtourism could hurt it
Experts have warned that allowing visitors to have close encounters with Komodo dragons would reduce reproductive fitness of the ancient lizards. ST PHOTO: WAHYUDI SOERIAATMADJA – A small seaside town known as the gateway to the land of the dragons – specifically the Komodo kind – has roared to life over the past decade, after it was first positioned as one of Indonesia's '10 New Balis' in a 2016 tourism push by the government. Located at the western tip of Flores Island in East Nusa Tenggara, Labuan Bajo is most famous for being the stepping stone to the famed Komodo National Park, a Unesco World Heritage site that is the largest habitat of its namesake reptile, the Komodo dragon. But amid the buzz of a busy airport runway and waters studded with hotel boats and modern vessels, experts warn that it must avoid falling into overtourism, overdevelopment and environmental negligence – issues that affect tourist hot spot Bali. The '10 New Balis' strategy targets specific locations such as Labuan Bajo to receive funding for infrastructure development. The aims are to alleviate overtourism in Bali, and spread tourist revenue and boost regional economies within South-east Asia's most populous country . Other locations include Lake Toba in North Sumatra, Mandalika in Lombok and Likupang in North Sulawesi. The focus on these new areas has led to significant changes, such as the construction of an international motorcycle racing track in Mandalika that has hosted the FIM Superbike World Championship since 2021 and MotoGP Grand Prix motorcycle races since 2022. But Labuan Bajo, which is a three-hour flight from Singapore and 2½ hours from Jakarta, stands out as it booked the largest incremental gains in terms of foreign tourist visits. Its main attraction, Komodo National Park, welcomed 334,206 visitors in 2024, two-thirds of whom were foreign tourists. In 2016, it saw about 100,000 visitors. Almost all tourists going to Labuan Bajo visit Komodo National Park. In the past decade, Labuan Bajo has seen the rise of new roads and amenities such as shopping centres, brand-name hotels and foodcourts, all built by the national government. Its main marina and airport have also been refurbished and revamped in the past four years, with the latter's runway being extended by 100m. Hotel operator Marriott International has built a luxury resort there, and it will soon be joined by another by the InterContinental Hotels Group. In 2024, Labuan Bajo's Komodo Airport was declared an international airport, allowing the operation of direct flights to and from foreign cities. Previously, most overseas visitors would have to fly through Jakarta to get to Labuan Bajo, which is part of the West Manggarai regency. The national focus on developing the small fishing village has propelled Labuan Bajo into a rapid phase of development, Mr Stefanus Jemsifori , the most senior bureaucrat overseeing tourism affairs in the regency, told The Straits Times. 'Investment growth has since been growing tremendously fast, evidenced by the spawning of five-star hotels and 'pinisi' vessels offering luxury rooms on board,' he said , adding that tourism revenue has also contributed to economic growth. A pinisi vessel is a traditional Indonesian watercraft that typically carries seven to eight sails on two masts. Puncak Waringin viewing point offers a picturesque sunset in Labuan Bajo. ST PHOTO: WAHYUDI SOERIAATMADJA According to visitor surveys in 2024, an individual foreign tourist to the town spends an average of 8 million rupiah (S$632) daily, staying an average of four to five days, while a domestic tourist spends about 2.7 million rupiah daily, spending an average of three days there. During a visit to Labuan Bajo in early May, ST spoke to several Chinese and Singaporean tourists there. 'We get both the exercise and breathtaking scenery,' said a Singaporean man named Wilson, in his early 20s. He spoke to ST during a short visit to Labuan Bajo with his family, which included a hiking trip. Mrs Shana Fatina, who runs a tour agency in Labuan Bajo, said the town has become popular with foreign tourists in the region. 'Singaporean tourists like to take a weekend getaway trip, staying in resorts or sailing vessels. They like shopping and enjoying food here,' said Mrs Shana, who noted that many foreign tourists in Labuan Bajo also travel to the town through Singapore. While Labuan Bajo has benefited from a push to increase tourist footfall in the past decade, Professor Azril Azhari, a tourism expert from Trisakti University in Jakarta, said that going forward, there must be less emphasis on mass tourism. This is especially because the trend and behaviours among global travellers have now shifted towards ecotourism. Prof Azril said that the '10 New Balis' strategy was developed some time ago based on mass tourism models, and a thorough evaluation of the programme has not been done. Although these models typically draw tourists and investment, there are instances where local communities do not reap these benefits . Bali, often regarded as Indonesia's crown jewel of tourism, saw 6.33 million foreign tourist arrivals in 2024, an increase from 5.27 million in 2023. Before the Covid-19 pandemic, it had 6.28 million visitors in 2019. Although Bali frequently ranks as a top holiday destination, the problems of overtourism have become more apparent in recent times. Large amounts of Bali's groundwater are channelled to hotels, pools and golf courses, leaving local residents struggling for access to clean water. Meanwhile, its iconic padi fields are vanishing as the land is transformed into commercial or residential property. Prof Azril warned about the risks of Labuan Bajo following in Bali's footsteps, especially when it comes to balancing conservation, development and tourism. As Komodo National Park and its ancient lizards gain popularity, Prof Azril emphasised the need to manage both visitor numbers and interactions with the reptiles. Failing to do so could lead to stress for these endangered animals. The Komodo National Park, welcomed 334,206 visitors in 2024, two-thirds of whom were foreign tourists. ST PHOTO: WAHYUDI SOERIAATMADJA Mrs Shana said that perhaps a no-visitor season should be implemented annually to reduce overtourism. 'Good communications with the tour operators to carry out such an endeavour must be done because many sell trip packages a year ahead,' she said. The national government had earlier planned to limit the number of visitors to Komodo National Park to 219,000 a year to conserve the ecosystem and protect the wildlife. It had also planned to raise the price of entrance tickets to the park to 3.75 million rupiah each for international visitors starting on Aug 1, 2022, from as low as 250,000 rupiah now. B ut the plan did not proceed due to opposition from the local residents and tourism businesses, arguing that the move would reduce their income. Labuan Bajo's natural landscapes and waters rich with marine life are precisely what will keep tourists returning. Chinese tourist Yang Guang Li, 25, said that his final stop at Labuan Bajo was the highlight of his seven-day trip through multiple places in Indonesia, as he had the chance to encounter a reef manta ray during a diving tour. 'I was most satisfied with my Komodo National Park trip. Unfortunately, we were brought here for only one night. I still want to go back to Komodo (Labuan Bajo) ,' said Mr Yang. Wahyudi Soeriaatmadja has been Indonesia correspondent at The Straits Times since 2008, and is based in Jakarta. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Irish Post
4 days ago
- Irish Post
Coins left by tourists causing significant damage to Giant's Causeway
COINS left by tourists at one of Northern Ireland's most popular beauty spots are causing significant damage to the site. Made up of more than 40,000 basalt columns, the Giant's Causeway was designated Northern Ireland's first Unesco World Heritage Site in 1986. Visitors have been lodging coins into the basalt formations at the Giant's Causeway in Co. Antrim for over 40 years. Some of the coins left behind at the Giant's Causeway The practice has become significantly more widespread in the past decade, a spokesperson for the attraction has confirmed, with tourists, inspired by the sight of existing coins, inserting their own into the natural joints and fractures of the stones. 'As these coins corrode, they expand, leading to damage and staining of the rock surface,' they explained. The National Trust, which manages the site, said the cost of removing the coins could be as much as £30k and has urged visitors to stop the practice in order to protect the famous landmark. 'We know that visitors really love and cherish the Giant's Causeway, and many form deep personal connections to this special landscape," Dr Cliff Henry, National Trust Nature Engagement Officer at the Giant's Causeway, said. The Giant's Causeway in Co. Antrim was designated an UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986 "We know some may want to leave a token of their visit, but the coins are causing damage and we are urging people to stop the practice and to leave no trace so this natural wonder remains special for future generations.' A report by the British Geological Survey in 2023 concluded that the coins wedged into the joints and cracks in the rock is having a detrimental impact on the basalt rock of the Giant's Causeway, both aesthetically and physically. 'The report has found that fracturing and disintegration of the basalt rock adjacent to joints and cracks into which coins have been inserted is the result of the 'expansive delamination of the coins upon oxidation'," Dr Henry, explained. 'In other words, the coins are rusting, and expanding to three times their original thickness, which puts huge pressure on the surrounding rock causing it to crumble. "Unsightly streaks of copper, nickel and iron oxides are also staining the stones where the coins are corroding.' In response to the survey a trial coin removal was conducted by Cliveden Conservation in February 2024. Building on the success of this trial, and with funding from the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA), a pilot conservation project was further commissioned in the summer of 2024 by the National Trust and the Causeway Coast and Glens Heritage Trust, on behalf of the WHS Steering Group. Between January and March 2025 stone conservation specialists CONSARC and The Rock Stone Masonry carried out detailed mapping and surveying of the site and carefully removed coins from test areas. In total nine kilograms of coins were removed from the stones and a second phase of coin removal is due to take place this autumn. The National Trust is now appealing to visitors to help these efforts by not adding any more coins at the site. 'It is hoped that if visitors see fewer coins in the stones and hear appeals to stop the damaging practice the problem can be solved," Dr Henry said. 'We protect and care for places so people and nature can thrive," he added. "We are appealing to visitors to help us protect the World Heritage Site by stopping the practice of inserting coins into the Causeway stones.' See More: Antrim, Coins, Damage, Giant's Causeway, National Trust
