MYSTERIOUS: World heritage - What They Never Told You

From Abandoned To Heritage Hub: Sassi slums revived and inhabited; UNESCO status follows

In 1993, the Sassi districts of Matera achieved the prestigious status of UNESCO World Heritage. Following severe living conditions, a significant evacuation led to the decline of many structures. However, a revitalization initiative launched in the 1980s prompted the return of former residents. Currently, these historical districts are integral to…

The Times of India · Oct 2

Oshino Hakkai Coin-Tossing Problem: 50,000 coins threaten clear springs; village adds donation box

Oshino Hakkai's serene spring ponds are under pressure as visitors toss coins into the waters, with around 50,000 coins already collected by authorities due to concerns over environmental damage from metal corrosion. This increase in coin tossing coincided with Mount Fuji’s designation as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2013.

The Times of India · Sep 8

Barclays faces complaint over backing for power plant near world’s largest mangrove forest

Bangladeshi complainants allege Rampal power station’s pollution and climate risks threaten the Sunderbans, a world heritage site

The Guardian - UK · Sep 2

Did you know there’s a vast reef network off the north coast of Australia? Few do – and that’s a problem

Australia is famous for its coral reefs, including the Great Barrier Reef on the east coast and Ningaloo Reef in the west. Both World Heritage-listed reefs attract thousands of visitors each year.

The Conversation · Aug 12

Dholavira Is Still Empty, and That Is the Only Reason You Should Go to This UNESCO Harappan Site Now

The city that outlasted everything except being knownDholavira has been standing, in one form or another, for five thousand years. It outlasted the civilisation that built it. It outlasted the river that fed it. It outlasted the scholarship that ignored it for decades while Mohenjo-daro and Harappa collected all the…

Times Life · Aug 11

Seven Ancient Stepwells Across India That Rival Adalaj in Architecture and Heritage

Rani ki Vav, Patan, GujaratRani ki Vav has 800 sculpted panels descending seven storeys into the earth, and UNESCO put it on the World Heritage list in 2014 for exactly that reason. Queen Udayamati commissioned it in the 11th century as a memorial to her husband, King Bhimdev I of…

Times Life · Aug 6

'Missing Link' misgivings

Out of the blue, the Anutin government has made an abrupt policy U-turn by announcing it will abandon the 1-trillion-baht Land Bridge project.

Bangkok Post · Jul 30

Chad to withdraw from International Criminal Court

In tonight's edition: Chad is pulling out of the International Criminal Court, accusing it of bias against Africa. Also, in Madagascar, nearly 200 people have been reported missing this year. Finally, centuries-old medinas in the Comoros have gained UNESCO World Heritage status.

France 24 · Jul 28

Meet Miranda Gibson: The woman who lived in a tree for 449 days to save Tasmania’s ancient forests in one of Australia’s longest tree protests

Deep in Tasmania’s forests, one woman turned a single tree into the centre of a global conservation campaign. In 2011, Miranda Gibson climbed high into the canopy of the Tyenna Forest and began a protest that would last 449 days. Living on a small platform above the ground, she faced…

The Times of India · Jul 28

Brazil's Amazonia theatres earn World Heritage status

BRASíLIA - Unesco on Monday added Brazil's Theatro da Paz and Teatro Amazonas to its World Heritage list.

Bangkok Post · Jul 28