In Danger what does it mean?

A WHS ‘In Danger’ is a site where the values for which it was inscribed on the List are under severe threat. The decision on which WHS to add to, retain or remove from the List of World Heritage in Danger is made yearly by the WHC.

Placement on the In Danger List is meant to encourage corrective action. It can be done because of specific and imminent crises such as earthquakes and war (‘Ascertained Danger’), or because of potential threats that can have deleterious effects (‘Potential Danger’).

Check the official website for more details on world heritage sites in danger.

55 Sites in Danger 38 Formerly in Danger

Sites in Danger

SiteYearCountriesReason
Abu Mena 2001 Dramatic rise in water table
Air and Téneré 1992 region in which this site is situated has been affected by civil disturbance
Aleppo 2013 Together with all 5 other Syrian WHS, due to Civil War
Ancient villages of Northern Syria 2013 Together with all 5 other Syrian WHS, due to Civil War
Ashur 2003 Dam proposal; state of war in the country
Bamiyan Valley 2003 "suffered from abandonment, military action and dynamite explosions. Parts of the site are inaccessible due to the presence of antipersonnel mines."
Battir 2014 As consequence of the Emergency Nomination: construction of a separation Wall
Bosra 2013 Together with all 5 other Syrian WHS, due to Civil War
Chan Chan 1986 Conservation, restoration and management measures to be taken. Control the plundering of the site
Coro and its Port 2005 Deep concern over gradual and considerable deterioration in the state of conservation
Crac des Chevaliers 2013 Together with all 5 other Syrian WHS, due to Civil War
Cyrene 2016 Simultaneously with the four other World Heritage sites of Libya "because of damage caused by the conflict affecting the country and the threat of further damage it poses".
Damascus 2013 Together with all 5 other Syrian WHS, due to Civil War
Djenné 2016 Due to insecurity in the area
East Rennell 2013 Due to logging
Everglades 2010 "..because of serious and continuing degradation of its aquatic ecosystem. The inscription was made at the request of the United States." (Unesco)
Everglades 1993 "...following damage caused by Hurricane Andrew and a marked deterioration in water flows and quality resulting from agricultural and urban development." (Unesco)
Garamba National Park 1996 impact of the war and civil conflicts in the Great Lakes region.
Garamba National Park 1984 very critical situation of the white rhinoceros population, now estimated to total less than 15 specimens
Ghadames 2016 Simultaneously with the four other World Heritage sites of Libya "because of damage caused by the conflict affecting the country and the threat of further damage it poses".
Hatra 2015 Due to intentional destruction by ISIS
Hebron/Al-Khalil Old Town 2017 At inscription on Emergency Basis
Kahuzi-Biega National Park 1997 impact of the war and civil conflicts in the Great Lakes region
Lake Turkana 2018 Threats come from Dam in Ethiopia (already complete), plus sugar developments and the LAPSSETT project
Leptis Magna 2016 Simultaneously with the four other World Heritage sites of Libya "because of damage caused by the conflict affecting the country and the threat of further damage it poses".
Manovo-Gounda St. Floris 1997 poaching and illegal grazing
Medieval Monuments in Kosovo 2006 Difficulties to monitor the property due to political instability, post-conflict situation
Minaret of Jam 2002 Lack of protection
Mount Nimba 1992 dangers of exploitation of the iron-ore mine and the arrival of large numbers of refugees
Nan Madol 2016 conservation project needed
Niokolo-Koba National Park 2007 Critically low mammal populations, the ongoing management problems and the impacts of the proposed new dam on the Gambia river a few kilometres upstream of the park
Okapi Wildlife Reserve 1997 impact of the war and civil conflicts in the Great Lakes region
Old City of Jerusalem 1982 severe destruction followed by a rapid urbanization
Palmyra 2013 Together with all 5 other Syrian WHS, due to Civil War
Portobelo-San Lorenzo 2012 "site .. is deteriorating at a rate which could undermine the outstanding universal value for which it was inscribed."
Potosi 2014 uncontrolled mining operations, instability and risk of collapse of the Cerro Rico
Rainforests of the Atsinanana 2010 "The Committee noted that despite a decree outlawing the exploitation and export of rosewood and ebony, Madagascar continues to provide export permits for illegally logged timber." (Unesco)
Rio Platano Biosphere Reserve 2011 threatened by illegal activities
Rio Platano Biosphere Reserve 1996 agricultural intrusion and the implementation of land reform programmes
Roșia Montană 2021 Upon inscription, due to unsure mining future
Sabratha 2016 Simultaneously with the four other World Heritage sites of Libya "because of damage caused by the conflict affecting the country and the threat of further damage it poses".
Samarra 2007 Needs preventive measures and conservation
Sana'a 2015 damage due to armed conflict
Selous Game Reserve 2014 Due to poaching
Shakhrisyabz 2016 Due to demolition of traditional housing areas
Shibam 2015 under potential threat from armed conflict, in addition to already existing problems
Tadrart Acacus 2016 Simultaneously with the four other World Heritage sites of Libya "because of damage caused by the conflict affecting the country and the threat of further damage it poses".
Timbuktu 2012 threatened by armed conflict & to prevent trafficking in cultural objects from there
Timbuktu 1990 threat of sand encroachment
Tomb of Askia 2012 threatened by armed conflict & to prevent trafficking in cultural objects from the site
Tombs of Buganda Kings 2010 "In March 2010, fire almost completely destroyed the Muzibu Azaala Mpanga building, the main structure at the site which contained four royal Buganda tombs. The property, an outstanding example of an architectural style developed by the Buganda Kingdom since the 13th century, will be reconstructed." (unesco)
Tropical Rainforest Sumatra 2011 four proposed roads, ongoing encroachment, poaching and illegal logging
Vienna 2017 due to high-rise projects
Virunga National Park 1994 impact of the war and civil conflicts in the Great Lakes region.
Zabid 2000 Condition of the historic buildings

Sites Formerly in Danger

YearSiteCountriesReason
Angkor1992 urgent problems of conservation
Bahla Fort1988 Degradation of the structures
Bam Cultural Landscape2004 earthquake
Belize Barrier Reef2009 Due to mangrove cutting and excessive development
Bethlehem2012 Inscribed on an emergency basis
Butrint1997 Site of Butrinti and its museum were looted during the civil disturbances in Albania
Cologne Cathedral2004 Visual impact of high-rise building projects
Comoé National Park2003 Civil unrest, poaching and lack of effective management mechanisms
Djoudj2000 Threat by the introduced species Salvinia molesta
Djoudj1984 threatened by a large hydro-agricultural project
Dubrovnik1991 armed conflict
Fort and Shalamar Gardens2000 Major operations are necessary to protect
Galapagos Islands2007 Serious conservation threats have intensified
Gelati Monastery2010 "The Committee expressed its serious concern about irreversible interventions carried out on the site as part of a major reconstruction project. The Committee believes this project will undermine the integrity and authenticity of the site and should be immediately halted." (unesco)
Gulf of California2019 "due to concerns about the imminent extinction of the vaquita, an endemic porpoise in the Gulf of California ... only about ten specimens of vaquita remain today"
Hampi1999 Integrity threats, construction of two cable-suspended bridges
Humberstone and Santa Laura Saltpeter Works2005 "Extremely fragile nature of the buildings; Lack of maintenance for 40 years; Vandalism due to looting of re-usable materials; Damage caused by the wind"
Ichkeul National Park1996 construction of two dams had limited freshwater flow and devastated the wetland values
Iguacu1999 Four issues: The Colon road, helicopter flights, dams on the Iguacu River, and management planning.
Kathmandu Valley2003 Loss of authenticity and threat of uncontrolled development
Kotor1979 earthquake
Los Katios National Park2009 "To help mobilize international support for the preservation of the property which is threatened by, notably, deforestation in areas inside and around the property due to the illegal extraction of timber"
Manas Wildlife Sanctuary1992 damage caused by the invasion of this Sanctuary by militants from the Bodo tribe
Mtskheta2009 Concerns over preservation (deterioration of stone work and frescoes)
Ngorongoro1984 Management shortcomings
Plitvice Lakes1992 Due to hostilities in neighbouring villages
Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras2001 Abandoning of the terraces
Royal Palaces of Abomey1985 considerable damage caused by the 1984 tornado
Ruins of Kilwa Kisiwani and Songo Mnara2004 Continuing deterioration and serious threats
Rwenzori Mountains1999 Security situation
Salonga National Park1999 Poaching and illegal encroachments
Sangay National Park1992 heavy poaching of wildlife, illegal livestock grazing and encroachment
Simien National Park1996 deterioration of the Walia ibex population and other large mammals (such as bushbuck and bushpig) have become extremely rare; loss of biodiversity, encroachment at the borders of the site, impacts of the road construction
Srebarna Nature Reserve1992 "series of upstream interferences, including the Iron Gates Dam, have permanently altered the natural hydrology of the Danube River in the region and that of Srebarna, located downstream along the river"
Tipasa2002 Integrity of the site
Walled City of Baku2003 Loss of authenticity due in part to the earthquake in 2000 and to the urban development pressures
Wieliczka and Bochnia Royal Salt Mines1989 serious degradation of this property (cave-ins, water seepage)
Yellowstone1995 proposed mining activity adjacent to the park boundary