Three out of four UNESCO sites threatened by serious water-related risk

Nearly three-quarters of the approximately 1,200 UNESCO World Heritage sites are threatened by a lack or excess of water, sometimes even both, warns a study published Tuesday, July ^1, by the World Resources Institute (WRI) and UNESCO. However, this trend can be slowed or even reversed if the right policies are implemented, at the local level, such as planting trees and protecting wetlands, but also at the national or international level, by recognizing water as a "common good" of humanity, the report emphasizes.

In total, 73% of the 1,172 non-marine World Heritage sites are experiencing at least one " serious water-related risk " (a lack of water relative to needs, or "water stress" for 40%, a risk of river flooding for 33%), the study states. One in five sites (21%) " faces a dual problem: too much water one year, not enough the next ," the text continues. The trend will worsen at least in the medium term, with 44% of sites experiencing high or very high water stress in 2050, compared to 40% today.

The most threatened areas are located in the Middle East, North Africa, parts of South Asia, and northern China. The report details the situation of four particularly exposed sites. Two are threatened by water shortages: the Ahwar in southern Iraq, marshy areas containing the remains of Mesopotamian cities, and Victoria Falls (or Mosi-Oa-Tunya) on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. Two other sites are threatened by flooding: the Chan-Chan archaeological site in Peru, due to a resurgence of the El Nino climate phenomenon, and migratory bird sanctuaries along the coast of the Yellow Sea and the Bohai Gulf in China.

These migratory bird sanctuaries in China are threatened both by the risk of maritime flooding—like nearly 50 other World Heritage sites—and by rapid human development. " China responded in 2018 by banning real estate projects in Bohai Bay, a decision welcomed by environmental groups ," the text said.