聯合國世界遺產委員會(World Heritage Committee)於26日宣布，具有重要自然價值的群島—厄瓜多的加拉巴哥群島(Galapagos islands)，正面臨外來物種入侵、觀光與移民人數成長的危機。
世界遺產委員會已將加拉巴哥群島與塞內加爾的尼奧科洛科巴(Niokolo-Koba)國家公園列入聯合國教科文組織「瀕危世界遺產名單」(List of World Heritage in Danger)中，希望藉以整合對於保護上述場址的支持。
世界遺產委員會於紐西蘭的克賴斯特徹奇(Christchurch)召開會議，重新審視世界遺產名單內830處場址的狀況，並特別針對瀕危世界遺產名單中的31處進行討論，而關於此31處場址的審查在本次會期開始前就已著手進行。
被稱為獨特生態博物館、並呈現演化過程的加拉巴哥群島，於1978年就已名列世界遺產名單中。距南美洲大陸約1千公里(約6百英哩)的太平洋海面上，加拉巴哥群島的19座島嶼以及其周邊的海洋保育地，每年增加上千名造訪的遊客。
世界遺產委員會表示，過去15年來搭乘郵輪來到此地的觀光人數日平均成長150%，而此漸增的趨勢刺激了移民人口、島與島之間運輸往來、與外來物種傳入的增加。
A UN panel today declared that the outstanding natural values of Ecuador's Galapagos islands are in danger, threatened by invasive species, growing tourism and immigration. The World Heritage Committee placed the Galapagos, as well as Niokolo-Koba National Park in Senegal, on UNESCO's List of World Heritage in Danger in hopes of rallying support for their conservation.
The World Heritage Committee, meeting in Christchurch, is reviewing the state of conservation of the 830 sites on UNESCO's World Heritage List, and particularly the 31 sites on the List of World Heritage in Danger before the start of this session.
Called a unique living museum and showcase of evolution, the Galapagos were the very first site to be inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1978.
Located in the Pacific Ocean some 1,000 kilometers (600 miles) from the South American continent, the 19 islands of the Galapagos and their surrounding marine reserve host increasing thousands of visitors each year.
The number of days spent by cruise ship passengers has grown by 150 percent over the past 15 years, the Committee said, and this increase has fueled a growth in immigration, inter-island traffic, and the introduction of more invasive species.
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In my healing journey and learning to attain the breath awareness, I become aware of the reality that all the creatures of the world are breathing the same breath. Take action, here and now. From my physical being to the every corner of this out of balance's planet.
