UNESCO report warns Stonehenge, Venice could soon be ‘Endangered’ sites
UNESCO released a report this week that indicated some of the world’s most iconic historic locations could soon be designated as “endangered” on the organization’s World Heritage in Danger list. Stonehenge in England, the Italian city of Venice, and the ancient capital Ashur in Iraq are among those cited in the report, western media sources reported.
The recommendation (or “draft decision”) was made Monday following finalization of the organization’s annual conservation report. Discussions for potentially adding Italy’s iconic sinking city to UNESCO’s endangered list have been put on the provisional agenda for its plenary session, taking place July 16–31, according to CNN Travel. The World Heritage Committee will make the final decision.
Among the most fiercely debated cases addressed in the report is Stonehenge because of an ongoing plan to build a tunnel underneath the prehistoric site for infrastructure purposes. The organization recommended that the Neolithic site in Wiltshire location be added to the endangered list if the U.K. government’s controversial plan is not adjusted.