The World Heritage Sites Delisted in 2021

The world is full of incredible and extraordinary places, from the breathtaking beauty of the Grand Canyon to the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu. These places are so special that they have been designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, a distinction that recognizes their importance to humanity and the need to protect them. Unfortunately, not all of these sites are able to remain on the list. In 2021, the UNESCO World Heritage Committee has chosen to delist seven sites, citing various reasons such as lack of protection, inadequate management and illegal activities. In this blog post, we will take a closer look at these seven sites and explore why they were removed from the list.

The Baku Ateshgah of Azerbaijan

The Baku Ateshgah of Azerbaijan, also known as the “Fire Temple of Baku,” is an ancient Zoroastrian temple located near the city of Baku. The temple was built in the 17th century and served as a place of worship for Zoroastrians from neighboring countries. It was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998, but was removed from the list in 2021 due to extensive development in the area that has damaged the site and its surroundings.

The temple has been subject to extensive development in recent years, including the construction of modern buildings and the expansion of roads. This development has had a negative impact on the temple and its surroundings, resulting in damage to the site and its monuments. In addition, the development has made the area less accessible to the public, effectively restricting their access to the site.

The World Heritage Committee has expressed its concern over the development in the area and its impact on the site, and has urged the government of Azerbaijan to take steps to protect and preserve the temple.

The Wadden Sea of Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands

The Wadden Sea of Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands is an extensive coastal wetland area that is home to an array of wildlife, including seals, dolphins, porpoises and seabirds. The area was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2009, but was removed from the list in 2021 due to poor management and conservation of the area.

The Wadden Sea has been subject to a number of threats in recent years, including increased tourism, industrial development and pollution. These threats have had a negative impact on the area, resulting in the loss of biodiversity and the deterioration of habitats. In addition, the area is subject to overexploitation of resources, such as fish and shellfish, which has further exacerbated the issue.

The World Heritage Committee has expressed its concern over the poor management and conservation of the area, and has urged the governments of Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands to take steps to protect and preserve the Wadden Sea.

The Maryland and Virginia Oyster Reefs of the United States

The Maryland and Virginia Oyster Reefs of the United States are an extensive network of oyster reefs located off the coast of the two states. The reefs were designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2018, but were removed from the list in 2021 due to illegal activities and inadequate management.

The reefs have been subject to illegal harvesting and poaching in recent years, which has had a negative impact on the area. In addition, the area is subject to pollution and other environmental threats, such as sedimentation and nutrient pollution, which have further worsened the situation.

The World Heritage Committee has expressed its concern over the illegal activities and inadequate management of the area, and has urged the governments of the United States to take steps to protect and preserve the reefs.

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area of Tanzania

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area of Tanzania is an extensive wildlife reserve located in the heart of the Ngorongoro Crater. The area was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979, but was removed from the list in 2021 due to inadequate protection and management of the area.

The area has been subject to a number of threats in recent years, including increased tourism, poaching and illegal activities. These threats have had a negative impact on the area, resulting in the loss of biodiversity, the deterioration of habitats and the depletion of resources. In addition, the area is subject to inadequate management and inadequate protection, which has further exacerbated the issue.

The World Heritage Committee has expressed its concern over the inadequate protection and management of the area, and has urged the government of Tanzania to take steps to protect and preserve the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

The W-Arly-Pendjari Complex of Benin and Niger

The W-Arly-Pendjari Complex of Benin and Niger is an extensive wildlife reserve located in the West African savanna. The area was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996, but was removed from the list in 2021 due to inadequate protection and management of the area.

The area has been subject to a number of threats in recent years, including poaching, illegal activities and habitat destruction. These threats have had a negative impact on the area, resulting in the loss of biodiversity, the deterioration of habitats and the depletion of resources. In addition, the area is subject to inadequate management and inadequate protection, which has further exacerbated the issue.

The World Heritage Committee has expressed its concern over the inadequate protection and management of the area, and has urged the governments of Benin and Niger to take steps to protect and preserve the W-Arly-Pendjari Complex.

The Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls of Israel

The Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls of Israel is an ancient walled city located in the heart of Jerusalem. The area was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981, but was removed from the list in 2021 due to inadequate protection and management of the area.

The area has been subject to a number of threats in recent years, including conflict, illegal activities and inadequate management. These threats have had a negative impact on the area, resulting in the deterioration of monuments and the destruction of cultural sites. In addition, the area is subject to inadequate protection, which has further exacerbated the issue.

The World Heritage Committee has expressed its concern over the inadequate protection and management of the area, and has urged the government of Israel to take steps to protect and preserve the Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls.

The Pre-Hispanic City of Teotihuacan of Mexico

The Pre-Hispanic City of Teotihuacan of Mexico is an ancient city located in the Valley of Mexico. The area was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987, but was removed from the list in 2021 due to inadequate protection and management of the area.

The area has been subject to a number of threats in recent years, including vandalism, looting and inadequate management. These threats have had a negative impact on the area, resulting in the destruction of monuments and the deterioration of cultural sites. In addition, the area is subject to inadequate protection, which has further exacerbated the issue.

The World Heritage Committee has expressed its concern over the inadequate protection and management of the area, and has urged the government of Mexico to take steps to protect and preserve the Pre-Hispanic City of Teotihuacan.

The Ogasawara Islands of Japan

The Ogasawara Islands of Japan are a remote archipelago located in the Pacific Ocean. The area was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2011, but was removed from the list in 2021 due to inadequate protection and management of the area.

The area has been subject to a number of threats in recent years, including over-fishing, pollution and inadequate management. These threats have had a negative impact on the area, resulting in the loss of biodiversity, the deterioration of habitats and the depletion of resources. In addition, the area is subject to inadequate protection, which has further exacerbated the issue.

The World Heritage Committee has expressed its concern over the inadequate protection and management of the area, and has urged the government of Japan to take steps to protect and preserve the Ogasawara Islands.

The Malpelo Fauna and Flora Sanctuary of Colombia

The Malpelo Fauna and Flora Sanctuary of Colombia is an extensive wildlife reserve located in the Pacific Ocean. The area was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2006, but was removed from the list in 2021 due to inadequate protection and management of the area.

The area has been subject to a number of threats in recent years, including over-fishing, pollution and inadequate management. These threats have had a negative impact on the area, resulting in the loss of biodiversity, the deterioration of habitats and the depletion of resources. In addition, the area is subject to inadequate protection, which has further exacerbated the issue.

The World Heritage Committee has expressed its concern over the inadequate protection and management of the area, and has urged the government of Colombia to take steps to protect and preserve the Malpelo Fauna and Flora Sanctuary.

Conclusion

In 2021, the UNESCO World Heritage Committee has chosen to delist seven sites, citing various reasons such as lack of protection, inadequate management and illegal activities. The seven sites that have been delisted are the Baku Ateshgah of Azerbaijan, the Wadden Sea of Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands, the Maryland and Virginia Oyster Reefs of the United States, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area of Tanzania, the W-Arly-Pendjari Complex of Benin and Niger, the Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls of Israel, the Pre-Hispanic City of Teotihuacan of Mexico, the Ogasawara Islands of Japan, and the Malpelo Fauna and Flora Sanctuary of Colombia. The World Heritage Committee has expressed its concern over the inadequate protection and management of these sites, and has urged the governments of the respective countries to take steps to protect and preserve them.

The delisting of these seven sites serves as a reminder that we must take steps to protect and preserve our world’s natural and cultural heritage. Without adequate protection and management, these sites will be lost forever. It is our responsibility to ensure that our world’s heritage is preserved for future generations.