List of World Heritage in Danger

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The List of World Heritage in Danger is compiled by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) through the World Heritage Committee according to Article 11.4 of the World Heritage Convention, established in 1972 to designate and manage World Heritage Sites. Entries in the list are threatened World Heritage Sites whose conservation requires major operations and for which "assistance has been requested". The list is intended to increase international awareness of the threats and to encourage counteractive measures. Threats to a site can be either proven imminent threats or potential dangers to a site.

For natural sites, ascertained dangers include the serious decline in the population of an endangered or other valuable species or the deterioration of natural beauty or scientific value of a property caused by human activities such as logging, pollution, settlement, mining, agriculture or major public works. For cultural properties, they include serious deterioration of materials, structure, ornaments or architectural coherence and the loss of historical authenticity or cultural significance. Potential dangers for both cultural and natural sites include development projects, armed conflicts, insufficient management systems or changes in the legal protective status of the properties. For cultural sites, gradual changes due to geology, climate or environment can also be potential dangers.

Before a property is inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger, its condition is assessed and a potential programme for corrective measures is developed in cooperation with the State Party involved. The final decision about inscription is made by the committee. Financial support from the World Heritage Fund may be allocated by the committee for listed properties. The state of conservation is reviewed yearly, after which the committee may request additional measures, delete the property from the list if the threats have ceased or consider deletion from both the List of World Heritage in Danger and the World Heritage List. Of the three former UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the Dresden Elbe Valley and the Liverpool Maritime Mercantile City were delisted after placement on the List of World Heritage in Danger while the Arabian Oryx Sanctuary was directly delisted. Some sites have been designated as World Heritage Sites and World Heritage in Danger in the same year, such as the Church of the Nativity, traditionally considered to be the birthplace of Jesus.

In some cases, danger listing has sparked conservation efforts and prompted the release of funds, benefitting sites such as the Galápagos Islands and Yellowstone National Park, both later removed from the List of World Heritage in Danger. Despite this, the list itself and UNESCO's implementation of it have been the focus of criticism. In particular, States Parties and other stakeholders of World Heritage Sites have questioned the authority of the committee to declare a site in danger without their consent. Until 1992, when UNESCO set a precedent by placing several sites on the danger list against their wishes, States Parties would have submitted a programme of corrective measures before a site could be listed. Instead of being used as intended, the List of World Heritage in Danger is perceived by some states as a black list and according to Christina Cameron, Professor at the School of Architecture, Canada Research Chair on Built Heritage, University of Montreal, has been used as political tool to get the attention of States Parties. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) notes that UNESCO has referenced the List of World Heritage in Danger (without actually listing the site) in a number of cases where the threat could be easily addressed by the State Party. The Union also argues that long keeping a site listed as endangered is questionable and that other mechanisms for conservation should be sought in these cases.

As of November 2025, there are 53 entries (14 natural, 39 cultural) on the List of World Heritage in Danger. Arranged by the UNESCO regions, 22 of the listed sites are in the Arab States, 12 in Africa, six in Latin America and the Caribbean, six in Asia and the Pacific, and seven in Europe and North America. The majority of the endangered natural sites (9) are in Africa. The list encompasses sites that have been identified as facing threats to their integrity, which could stem from natural disasters, armed conflict, neglect, pollution, unsustainable tourism, or other dangers. Among the sites, the impacts of armed conflict are evident in countries like Syria, with several sites, including the Ancient City of Aleppo and the Ancient Villages of Northern Syria, endangered due to the Syrian Civil War. In Africa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo sees multiple listings due to threats like military conflict and environmental degradation affecting its national parks.

Current list

World Heritage Sites Currently Endangered
Site Image Location Year listed Years endangered UNESCO data Description
Air and Ténéré Natural Reserves Arlit Department 1991 1992– Natural: (vii), (ix), (x) Jihadist insurgency and civil disturbance in the region as well as a reduction of wildlife population and degradation of the vegetation cover.
Ancient City of Aleppo Aleppo Governorate 1986 2013– Cultural: (iii), (iv) Syrian Civil War, conquered by rebels in December 2024. Bombings continue threatening the site.
Ancient City of Bosra Daraa Governorate 1980 2013– Cultural: (i), (iii), (vi) Syrian Civil War, conquered by rebels in December 2024.
Ancient City of Damascus Damascus Governorate 1979 2013– Cultural: (i), (ii), (iii), (iv), (vi) Syrian Civil War, held by Assadist forces, rebel gunfire and mortar shelling, mainly from adjacent Jobar suburb endangers foundations.
Ancient Villages of Northern Syria Syria 2011 2013– Cultural: (iii), (iv), (v) Syrian Civil War, some held by rebels. Reports of looting and demolitions by Islamist groups.
Archaeological Site of Cyrene Jebel Akhdar 1982 2016– Cultural: (ii), (iii), (vi) Libyan Civil War, presence of armed groups, already incurred and potential further damage.
Archaeological Site of Leptis Magna Khoms 1982 2016– Cultural: (i), (ii), (iii) Libyan Civil War, presence of armed groups, already incurred and potential further damage.
Archaeological Site of Sabratha Sabratha 1982 2016– Cultural: (iii) Libyan Civil War, presence of armed groups, already incurred and potential further damage.
Ashur (Qal'at Sherqat) Salah ad Din 2003 2003– Cultural: (iii), (iv) A planned reservoir that would have partially flooded the site was suspended in the wake of the Iraq War by the new administration; lack of adequate protection.
Chan Chan Archaeological Zone La Libertad 1986 1986– Cultural: (i), (iii) Natural erosion.
City of Potosí Potosí 1987 2014– Cultural: (ii), (iv), (vi) Continued mining has left the mountain porous and unstable, causing portions of the summit to collapse, also the target of future mining by the Bolivian Mining Corp. Recommendations to preserve the site have not been followed through.
Coro and its Port Falcón 1993 2005– Cultural: (iv), (v) Damage to a great number of structures due to heavy rain between November 2004 and February 2005 as well as the construction of a new monument, a beach walkway and an entrance gate to the city in the buffer zone which could have considerable impact on the value of the site.
Crac des Chevaliers and Qal'at Salah El-Din Homs and Latakia Governorates 2006 2013– Cultural: (ii), (iv) Syrian Civil War, once held by Al-Nusra Front and other Islamist groups, reclaimed by Syrian Arab Army and Hezbollah fighters. Reports of damages and looting caused by Islamist groups were released by the government.
Cultural Landscape and Archaeological Remains of the Bamiyan Valley Bamyan Province 2003 2003– Cultural: (i), (ii), (iii), (iv), (vi) Fragile conservation state due to abandonment, military action and dynamite explosions; causing dangers such as risk of collapse of Buddha niches, further deterioration of cave murals, looting and illicit excavations.
East Rennell Rennell and Bellona Province 1998 2013– Natural: (ix) Damage to the site due to logging and its effect on the local ecosystem.
Everglades National Park Florida 1979 1993–2007, 2010– Natural: viii), (ix), (x) Damage due to Hurricane Andrew and deterioration of water flow and quality due to agricultural and urban development (1993); continued degradation of the site resulting in a loss of marine habitat and decline in marine species (2010)
Fortifications on the Caribbean Side of Panama: Portobelo-San Lorenzo Colón Province 1980 2012– Cultural: (i), (iv) Environmental factors, lack of maintenance and urban development.
Garamba National Park Orientale 1980 1984–1992, 1996– Natural: (vii), (x) Reduction of northern white rhinoceros population (1984); poaching of two white rhinos, killing of three rangers and no plan for corrective measures by the authorities (1996)
Hatra Ninawa Governorate 1985 2015– Cultural: (ii), (iii), (iv), (vi) Damage inflicted to the property by the Islamic State.
Hebron/Al-Khalil Old Town Hebron Governorate 2017 2017– 1565; ii, iv, vi (cultural)
Historic Centre of Odesa Odesa 2023 2023– Cultural: (ii), (iv) Russo-Ukrainian War
Kyiv: Saint-Sophia Cathedral and Related Monastic Buildings, Kyiv Pechersk Lavra Kyiv 1990 2023– Cultural: (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) Russo-Ukrainian War
L'viv – the Ensemble of the Historic Centre Lviv 1998 2023– Cultural: (ii), (v) Russo-Ukrainian War
Historic Centre of Shakhrisyabz Qashqadaryo Region 2000 2016– Cultural: (iii), (iv) Destruction of buildings in its medieval neighbourhoods and continuing urban development.
Historic Centre of Vienna Vienna 2001 2017– Cultural: (ii), (iv), (vi) New high-rise projects.
Historic Town of Zabīd
Al Hudaydah 1993 2000– Cultural: (ii), (iv), (vi) Deteriorating state of historic buildings, inscribed on request of the State Party.
Islands and Protected Areas of the Gulf of California
Baja California, Baja California Sur, Sonora, Sinaloa, and Nayarit 2005 2019– Natural: (vii), (ix), (x) Imminent extinction of the vaquita, an endemic porpoise in the gulf.
Kahuzi-Biega National Park
South Kivu and Maniema 1980 1997– Natural: (x) Deforestation, hunting as well as war and civil strife.
Lake Turkana National Parks 1997 2018– Natural: (viii), (x) Impact of Ethiopia's Gilgel Gibe III Dam on the lake's flow and ecosystem.
Landmarks of Ancient Kingdom of Saba
Marib 2023 2023– Cultural: (iii), (iv) Threats of destruction caused by the Yemeni Civil War.
Manovo-Gounda St Floris National Park Bamingui-Bangoran 1988 1997– Natural: (ix), (x) Illegal grazing and poaching, deteriorating security situation.
Minaret and Archaeological Remains of Jam Ghōr 2002 2002– Cultural: (ii), (iii), (iv) Lack of legal protection, lack of protection measure or management plan, poor condition of the site.
Medieval Monuments in Kosovo 2004 2006– Cultural: (ii), (iii), (iv) March Pogrom, lack of legal protection and management; political instability and insecurity.
Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve Lola Prefecture 1981 1992– Natural: (ix), (x) Iron ore mining concession on part of the World Heritage Site and influx of large number of refugees on the Guinean part of the site.
Nan Madol: Ceremonial Centre of Eastern Micronesia Temwen Island 2016 2016– Cultural: (i), (iii), (iv), (vi) Continuing siltation of waterways contributing to overgrowth and undermining existing structures.
Okapi Wildlife Reserve Orientale 1996 1997– Natural: (x) Looting of park facilities and killing of elephants as a result of an armed conflict in the area.
Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls Jerusalem 1981 1982– Cultural: (ii), (iii), (vi) Uncontrolled urban development, general deterioration of the state of conservation due to tourism and lack of maintenance.
Old City of Sana'a
Sana'a Governorate 1986 2015– Cultural: (iv), (v), (vi) Yemeni Civil War
Old Towns of Djenné Djenné 1988 2016– Cultural: (iii), (iv) Regional insecurity, deteriorating state of the historic town, urbanization and erosion.
Palestine: Land of Olives and Vines – Cultural Landscape of Southern Jerusalem, Battir Battir 2014 2014– Cultural: (iv)(v) The Israeli West Bank barrier "may isolate farmers from fields they have cultivated for centuries".
Old Walled City of Shibam
Hadhramaut Governorate 1982 2015– Cultural: (iii), (iv), (v) Potential threat from the armed conflict, compounding safeguarding and management problems already observed at the site.
Rachid Karami International Fair
Tripoli 2023 2023– Cultural: (ii)(iv) Threatened by lack of funds for maintenance due to the Lebanese liquidity crisis, urban development, and "its alarming state of conservation".
Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve La Mosquitia 1982 1996–2007, 2011– Natural: (vii), (viii), (ix), (x) Logging, fishing and land occupation; poaching and the reduced capacity of the state to manage the site; largely due to the deterioration of law and to the presence of drug traffickers.
Rock-Art Sites of Tadrart Acacus Fezzan 1985 2016– Cultural: (iii) Libyan Civil War, presence of armed groups, already incurred and potential further damage.
Saint Hilarion Monastery/Tell Umm Amer Deir al-Balah Governorate 2024 2024– Cultural: (ii)(iii)(iv) Gaza war.
Samarra Archaeological City Salah ad Din 2007 2007– Cultural: ii), (iii), (iv) Security situation following the Iraq War and lack of state control for protection or management of the site.
Selous Game Reserve Coast, Morogoro, Lindi, Mtwara and Ruvuma Regions 1982 2014– Natural: (ix), (x) Exploration and extraction of minerals, large infrastructure projects
Site of Palmyra Homs Governorate 1980 2013– Cultural: (i), (ii), (iv) Syrian Civil War, captured by the notoriously iconoclastic Islamic State terrorist organization (ISIS).
Timbuktu Timbuktu, Timbuktu Region 1988 2012– Cultural: (ii), (iv), (v) Threat of destruction by Islamist groups like Al-Qaeda in Islamic Maghreb, Ansar Dine and Boko Haram. Some monuments are now pillaged and destroyed.
Tomb of Askia Gao, Gao Region 2004 2012– Cultural: (ii), (iii), (iv) Damaged by Islamist groups like Al-Qaeda in Islamic Maghreb and Ansar Dine. Reported destroyed by Ansar Dine when they captured Timbuktu.
Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra Sumatra 2004 2011 Natural: (vii), (ix), (x) Poaching, illegal logging, agricultural encroachment, and plans to build roads through the site.
Virunga National Park North Kivu and Orientale 1979 1994– Natural: (vii), (viii), (x) Deforestation and poaching as a result of the influx of refugees due to the Rwandan Civil War.
Roșia Montană Mining Landscape
Alba County, Romania 2021 2021– Cultural: (ii), (iii), (iv) Threats posed by plans to resume mining which would damage a major part of the inscribed Mining Landscape.

Previously listed sites

A number of sites were previously listed as being in danger, but later removed from the list after improvements in management and conservation. The Everglades National Park was listed from 1993 to 2007 and has been again since 2010; the Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve was listed from 1996 to 2007 and has been again since 2011: both are therefore included in the list of currently listed sites (above).

  Delisted altogether as a World Heritage Site
  Partial de-listing from the World Heritage List
World Heritage Sites Previously Endangered
Site Image Location Year listed Years endangered UNESCO data Description
Abu Mena Abusir 1979 2001–2025 Cultural: iv Cave-ins in the area caused by the clay at the surface, which becomes semi-liquid when met with "excess water"
Angkor Siem Reap Province 1992 1992–2004 Cultural: (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) Inscription initially limited to a three-year period (1993–1995) during which effective legal protection, boundary and buffer zones were to be established and international conservation efforts were to be monitored and coordinated; at the time of inscription, Cambodia was UN-controlled following the civil war in the 1980s.
Bagrati Cathedral and Gelati Monastery Imereti 1994 2010–2017 Cultural: (iv) Major reconstruction project that will lead to irreversible interventions. The boundaries of the site was modified in 2017. Bagrati Cathedral was removed from the list of World Heritage Sites after its reconstruction. However, Gelati Monastery remained on the list.
Bahla Fort Bahla 1987 1988–2004 Cultural: (iv) Degradation of earth structures of the fort and of the oasis of Bahla
Bam and its Cultural Landscape Kerman 2004 2004–2013 Cultural: (ii), (iii), (iv), (v) Following the damage due to the 2003 Bam earthquake
Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System Belize, Stann Creek and Toledo Districts 1996 2009–2018 Natural: (vii), (ix), (x) Mangrove cutting and excessive development
Birthplace of Jesus: Church of the Nativity and the Pilgrimage Route, Bethlehem Bethlehem 2012 2012–2019 Cultural: (iv), (vi) Damage due to water leaks.
Butrint Sarandë District 1992 1997–2005 iii (cultural) Damages due to management and conservation
Cologne Cathedral North Rhine-Westphalia 1996 2004–2006 Cultural: (i), (ii), (iv) High-rise building plan near the cathedral threatening to inflict damage to the integrity of the property; delisted after the building plan was halted and a buffer zone introduced
Comoé National Park Zanzan 1983 2003–2017 Natural: (ix), (x) Civil unrest, poaching and lack of effective management mechanisms
Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary Biffeche 1981 1984–1988, 2000–2006 Natural: (vii), (x) Long term threat by construction plan for a down-stream dam (1984); delisted (1988) as water supply to the park was insured by the construction of a sluice and a management plan was being prepared; relisted (2000) due to environmental and economical threats posed by the introduced species Salvinia molesta and Pistia stratiotes as well as issues with water management in the park.

Dresden Elbe Valley Saxony 2004 2006–2009 Cultural: (ii), (iii), (iv), (v) Construction plans for the Waldschlösschen Bridge in the core area of the cultural landscape; removed from the list of World Heritage Sites in 2009 after construction commenced at the end of 2007.
Dubrovnik Dubrovnik-Neretva County 1979 1991–1998 Cultural: (i), (iii), (iv) Croatian War of Independence
Fort and Shalamar Gardens in Lahore Punjab 1981 2000–2012 Cultural: (i), (ii), (iii) Destruction of historic water tanks in 1999 to widen a road and deteriorating perimeter walls of the Garden, listed on request of the Pakistan government.
Galápagos Islands Galápagos Province 1978 2007–2010 Natural: vii), (viii), (ix), (x) Various threats including insufficient prevention of possibilities for the introduction of alien species, insufficient resource allocation for conservation agencies and park management, presence of a large number of illegal immigrants, rapid uncontrolled growth of tourism, fishing over-capacity and sports fishing.
Group of Monuments at Hampi Bellary district 1986 1999–2006 Cultural: (i), (iii), (iv) Partial construction of two cable-suspended bridges within the protected archaeological areas of Hampi threatening the integrity and authenticity of the site
Historical Monuments of Mtskheta Mtskheta-Mtianeti 1994 2009–2016 Cultural: (iii), (iv) Deterioration of stonework and frescoes, mismanagement and urban development
Humberstone and Santa Laura Saltpeter Works Tarapacá 2005 2005–2019 Cultural: (ii), (iii), (iv) Fragile nature of structures due to lack of maintenance for 40 years; also damage, vandalism and some dismantling; looting
Ichkeul National Park Bizerta 1980 1996–2006 Natural: (x) Construction of dams limiting the freshwater flow to the area and causing an increased salinity of the lake and the marshes as well as a decrease in the number of migrating bird populations
Iguaçu National Park Paraná State 1986 1999–2001 Natural: (vii), (x) Illegally opened road – "Estrada do Colono" (Portuguese for "Settler's Road") – through the park, dams on the Iguazu River and helicopter flights.
Kathmandu Valley Kathmandu Valley 1979 2003–2007 Cultural: (iii), (iv), (vi) Partial or substantial loss of the traditional elements of six out of seven monument zones and resulting general loss of authenticity and integrity of the whole property.
Liverpool – Maritime Mercantile City
England 2004 2012–2021 Cultural: (ii), (iii), (iv) Due to the proposed redevelopment of historic docklands known as Liverpool Waters, (including Bramley-Moore Dock stadium of Everton F.C.). Stripped of World Heritage status in July 2021, due to the continued progress of the developments.
Los Katíos National Park Antioquia and Chocó Departments 1994 2009–2015 Natural: (ix), (x) Deforestation, illegal fishing and hunting. Removed following significant improvements to Park management
Manas Wildlife Sanctuary Assam 1985 1992–2011 Natural: (vii), (ix), (x) Poaching, damage to the park's infrastructure and decrease in the population of some species particularly the Indian rhinoceros (pictured) following an invasion by militants of the Bodo tribe in 1992
Natural and Culturo-Historical Region of Kotor Bay of Kotor, Kotor and surrounding territory 1979 1979–2003 Cultural: (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) Damage following the earthquake from 15 April 1979
Ngorongoro Conservation Area Arusha Region 1978 1984–1989 Natural: (iv), (vii), (viii), (ix), (x) Declining conservation status
Niokolo-Koba National Park Tambacounda Region and Kédougou Region 1981 2007–2024 Natural: (x) Degradation of property, low mammal population, management problems and impact of a proposed dam on the Gambia River
Old Town of Ghadamès Ghadames 1986 2016–2025 Cultural: (v) Libyan Civil War, presence of armed groups, already incurred and potential further damage.
Plitvice Lakes National Park Lika-Senj County 1979 1992–1997 Natural: (vii), (viii), (ix) Potential threat due to the Croatian War of Independence
Rainforests of the Atsinanana
Eastern Madagascar 2007 2010–2025 Natural: (ix), (x) Illegal logging and hunting of endangered lemurs
Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras Ifugao 1995 2001–2012 Cultural: (iii), (iv), (v) Absence of systematic monitoring programme or a comprehensive management plan
Royal Palaces of Abomey Zou Department 1985 1985–2007 Cultural: (iii), (iv) General state of deterioration due to the elements and inappropriate restoration in conflict with the authenticity of the site
Ruins of Kilwa Kisiwani and Ruins of Songo Mnara
Kilwa District 1981 2004–2014 Cultural: (iii) Continuing deterioration of the site due to various factors such as erosion or plants
Rwenzori Mountains National Park Bundibugyo, Kabarole and Kasese Districts 1994 1999–2004 Natural: (vii), (ix) Security situation and lack of monitoring of a major part of the park
Salonga National Park Équateur and Bandundu provinces 1984 1999–2021 Natural: (vii), (ix) Poaching and housing construction. Removed from the list in danger due to improvements in its state of conservation.
Sangay National Park Chimborazo, Morona-Santiago and Tungurahua Provinces 1983 1992–2005 Natural: (vii), (viii), (ix), (x) Heavy poaching, illegal livestock grazing, encroachment and potential threat through a road construction project
Simien National Park Amhara Region 1978 1996–2017 Natural: (vii), (x) Deterioration of population of Walia ibex
Srebarna Nature Reserve Silistra Province 1983 1992–2003 Natural: (x) Prevention of seasonal flooding and agricultural use causing a decline or disappearance of the water and passerine bird populations
Timbuktu Circle and Tombouctou regions 1988 1990–2005 Cultural: (ii), (iv), (v) Threat of sand encroachment
Tipasa Tipaza Province 1982 2002–2006 Cultural: (iii), (iv) Inadequate maintenance affecting the integrity of the site and its buffer zone
Tombs of Buganda Kings at Kasubi Kampala District 2001 2010–2023 Cultural: (i), (iii), (iv), (vi) Destruction of the Muzibu Azaala Mpanga, the main building of the site, by fire in March 2010. Removed from the list of World Heritage in Danger in 2023 after the structure was rebuilt.
Walled City of Baku with Shirvanshah's Palace and Maiden Tower Baku 2000 2003–2009 Cultural: (iv) Damage sustained during the 2000 Baku earthquake, urban development and inadequate conservation efforts
Wieliczka Salt Mine Lesser Poland Voivodeship 1978 1989–1998 Cultural: (iv) Humidity problem
Yellowstone National Park Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho 1978 1995–2003 Natural: (vii), (viii), (ix), (x) Ascertained dangers to Yellowstone cutthroat trout as well as sewage leakage and waste contamination in parts of the park; potential threats to water quantity and quality, past and proposed mining activities, a proposed control programme to eradicate brucellosis in the bison herds

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