A 2,300-year-old solar observatory in Peru, a national park in Thailand near the border with Myanmar and an ancient Chinese trade centre that includes a historic mosque, are among the latest sites that have been added to the UNESCO list of the world’s most culturally significant places.
Peru’s Chankillo observatory, which was built before the rise of the Inca empire, was declared a World Heritage site on Tuesday, while Thailand’s vast Kaeng Krachan forest complex and China’s ancient port of Quanzhou were added on Sunday alongside several other cultural and natural sites around the world.
The Chankillo observatory allowed for remarkably accurate astronomical observations, according to recent studies.
The independent experts’ appeal came ahead of Monday’s review by a Unesco committee, where the Thai government is seeking heritage status for Kaeng Krachan national park for the third time since 2016.
China and Russia are among countries backing the Thai bid, according to their joint proposal, which does not refer to the ethnic Karen community living in the vast park near the Myanmar border.
More than 80 ethnic Karen have been arrested this year, 28 of whom were criminally charged for “encroachment” on their lands in the park, including a child, the UN experts’ statement said.
It added there had not been consultations in “good faith” allowing the Karen to take part in the Unesco nomination process.
EU sanctions no silver bullet against Myanmar s illegal timber trade, experts say mongabay.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from mongabay.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
One of my earliest memories is of my mother asking me not to wander off by myself. Child, if you leave my side I could lose you forever.
At that time I did not know what she meant. Then one day the Myanmar Army came to my village and attacked us without warning. From then on, I understood why I was not allowed to enjoy my childhood in freedom.
The world has been watching the actions of the military in Myanmar, also known as Burma, over the last few weeks. Headlines in Canada tell the story of a power hungry military eager to take control of the country by any means necessary.
Damming Rivers Is Terrible for Human Rights, Ecosystems and Food Security
A father and child at the Mundurukú occupation of the Sao Manoel Hydroelectric Dam site in Brazil.
Caio Mota
There’s some good news amid the grim global pandemic: At long last, the world’s largest dam removal is finally happening.
The landmark agreement, which was finalized in November 2020 between farmers, tribes and dam owners, will finally bring down four aging, inefficient dams along the Klamath River in the Pacific Northwest. This is an important step in restoring historic salmon runs, which have drastically declined in recent years since the dams were constructed. It’s also an incredible win for the Karuk and Yurok tribes, who for untold generations have relied on the salmon runs for both sustenance and spiritual well-being.