Too much tourism: Galapagos islands go on UNESCO's danger list

[maddezmom]

PARIS (AFP) - The Galapagos Islands in the Pacific Ocean have been put on a list of endangered world heritage sites by UNESCO because of the growing pressure from tourism, the UN's culture organisation said Tuesday.

Situated 1,000 kilometres (625 miles) off the coast of Ecuador, the 19 islands have a unique wildlife and were the first ever site to be placed on UNESCO's list of World Heritage Sites in 1978.

UNESCO's World Heritage Committee is currently meeting in Christchurch, New Zealand to consider new additions to the prestigious list as well as sites under threat.

In a statement released at its headquarters in Paris, UNESCO said that the Galapagos islands were "threatened by invasive species, growing tourism and immigration."

"The number of days spent by passengers of cruise ships has increased by 150 percent over the past 15 years.... This increase has fuelled a growth in immigration and the ensuing inter-island traffic has led to the introduction of more invasive species," it said.

more:http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070626/wl_afp/unescoecuadorgalapagos_070626141635;_ylt=AqVEQl5V49wEh0z6u7ltWa2QOrgF