Indeed, Time and Tide wait for none. The immortal time destroys everything. But, what remains is the real beauty and eternal memories that cherish everybody’s heart. There are some of the most iconic man-made structures and other natural destinations in the world which are in danger of disappearing. The surging temperature and the changing climatic conditions have become a cause for concern.
The whole ecosystem including plants, animals, and other micro-organisms is suffering due to these environmental consequences. As a result of this, tourism will be drastically affected along with the lives of individuals living in the surrounding areas as these disappearing destinations are approaching sooner than we may think. This generation may be the last one to see some of the most incredible sites on the planet.
Places to Visit Before they Disappear
These are the places to visit before they disappear from the Earth:
1. Antarctica
A 2015 study by NASA has revealed that the last remaining sections of Antarctica’s Larsen B Ice Shelf, which partially collapsed in 2002, are weakening fast and likely to disintegrate completely by 2020. Ice shelves are thick floating platforms of ice that are connected to land masses, and they surround about 75 percent of Antarctica’s coastline. The Larsen Ice Shelf is named after Norwegian explorer Carl Anton Larsen. It is located on the northeast coast of the Antarctic Peninsula along the Weddell Sea.
NASA also explains, “ice shelves are the gatekeepers for glaciers flowing from Antarctica toward the ocean. Without them, glacial ice enters the ocean faster and accelerates the pace of global sea-level rise.”
2. The Dead Sea
The Dead Sea is disappearing faster than we could have ever imagined. The Dead Sea is a salt lake bordered by Jordan to the east and Israel and the West Bank to the west. The Dead Sea is also known as Yam Ha-Melakh i.e. the Sea of Salt in Hebrew. Also, it is the lowest point on earth, surrounded by a stunning landscape. But, because of its extremely high salt content, no animal or plant life can survive in the Dead Sea.
3. Congo Basin, Africa
Congo Basin, the basin of the Congo River, is located in west-central Africa. It is the world’s second tropical rainforest in the world, with almost 2 million square kilometers of humid forest area. Also, it is a mosaic of rivers, forests, savannas, swamps, and flooded forests, and provides habitat to large animal species including Gorillas, elephants, buffaloes, etc.
Furthermore, The Congo Basin forests are a lifeline for more than 60 million people, providing food and income for many remote people. Apart from this, it produces approximately 40 percent of the world’s oxygen. But, according to the WWF, population growth has caused pressures over the last decades and unregulated extraction of timber is putting wildlife, local people, and economies at risk.
4. The Arctic
Known for its stunning landscape of gigantic icebergs, polar bears, and the northern lights, the Arctic is a polar region located at the northernmost part of Earth. The Arctic is a region of extreme cold, extreme seasonal changes in daylight, and extreme winds. The word “arctic” is derived from the Greek word arktikos, which means “near the bear,”. However, rising temperatures and the melting of ice sheets affects the delicate ecosystem, and subsequently, the polar bear population in the region.
5. Taj Mahal, Agra
Designated as one of the UNESCO heritage sites in India, The Taj Mahal is located near the bank of the Yamuna river in the majestic city of Agra. It is also known as one of the most gorgeous places in the world that boasts a beautiful history of the golden time of the Mughal Emperor. But, unfortunately, a 2010 survey revealed it is facing a major threat from pollution. “The report, compiled by India’s National Environment Engineering Research Institute, shows that the 17th-century tomb was being irreparably damaged by air and water pollution and experts believe that the pollution and erosion combined could cause it to collapse.
6. The Great Barrier Reef
Australia’s Great Barrier Reef is also getting affected by climatic conditions and it may disappear before we may think. The Great Barrier Reef is one of the seven wonders of the natural world and the world’s largest coral reef system. But, it is vanishing due to continuous climate change, predatory starfish, and intense cyclones linked to a warming of the oceans, according to scientists from the Australian Institute of Marine Sciences (AIMS) and the University of Wollongong.”
7. Venice, Italy
Being one of the most popular tourist destinations in Italy, Venice is a majestic city that offers an invigorating and blissful experience to its visitors. But unfortunately, rising water levels have become a cause for concern and this may lead to the collapse of the city in the coming decades. The waterways, canals, and several cities have already suffered damage and floods have become a very common phenomenon here.
8. Vatnajokull Glacier
Rising more than 6,500 feet above sea level, Vatnajokull is the largest and most voluminous ice cap in Iceland, and one of the largest in an area in Europe covering 8% of Iceland’s landmass. It is a beautiful destination and home to huge glacial rivers, stunning canyons, beautiful lagoons, and impressive waterfalls but because of Iceland’s rising temperatures and reduced snowfall, the glacier is melting. A recent report from the Icelandic government’s Committee on Climate Change warns that by the next century, Iceland’s glaciers will be no more. So, visitors should visit this spectacular place before it disappears.
9. Glacier National Park
Often called the Crown of the Continent, the Glacier National Park is a hiker’s paradise and provides an exceptional backcountry experience, the perfect summer vacation for families and couples. Starting with 150 active glaciers, today it only has about 25, of which the Sperry Glacier is one of the largest glaciers in the park. A bit, unfortunately, these mountain snowpack’s held less water and began melting. This loss of glaciers can negatively impact the park’s ecosystems and landscape.
10. The Amazon Rainforest, South America
Known as the “Lungs of the Planet,” the Amazon Rainforest is the world’s largest tropical rainforest, famed for its biodiversity. It covers an area of about 1 billion acres and produces more than 20 percent of the world’s oxygen. But according to National Geographic, “market forces of globalization are invading the Amazon” and “in the past three decades, hundreds of people have died in land wars, countless others endure fear and uncertainty, their lives threatened by those who profit from the theft of timber and land.”
11. Galapagos Islands
The Galapagos Islands are home to some of the most unique wildlife in the world. Situated in the Pacific Ocean some 1,000 km from the South American continent, these 19 islands offer wildlife and landscapes found nowhere else on earth. In fact, it is considered one of the world’s foremost destinations for wildlife viewing. But in recent years, the Islands are extremely threatened by tourism, pollution, and the rise in seawater temperature.
12. Tibet
Tibet is a historical region covering much of the Tibetan Plateau in Inner Asia. It is mainly a Buddhist territory and is often known as the “roof of the world. It is also a great destination for visitors but due to rapidly changing climatic conditions, it is also facing the environmental threat of rising sea levels, pollution, etc.
13. Pasterze Glacier, Austria
Pasterze Glacier is the longest glacier in Austria that sits majestically on the foot of Austria’s largest mountain, the Grossglockner, within the National Park Hohe Tauern. More than 100 years ago, the Pasterze was more than 11 kilometers long. Today, it is less than 8 km long and it lost more than half of its volume. It is continuously melting by 33 feet every year, and the results are clearly visible and terrifying. “Austrian geologists have warned that the country’s glaciers melted faster this year than ever before and predict that all, including the massive Pasterze glacier, will have vanished by the year 2050,” The Local reports.
14. The Maldives
The Maldives is a tropical nation in the Indian Ocean known for its beaches, blue lagoons, and extensive reefs. It is a great destination for tourists from across the world but, the changes in climatic conditions are leading According to the United Nation’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change if sea levels continue to rise, the Maldives may end up completely submerged by 2100.
15. Madagascar
Madagascar is a huge island nation located off the southeast coast of Africa. It is home to thousands of animal species, such as lemurs, found nowhere else, plus rainforests, beaches, and reefs. More than 80 percent of the flora and fauna living in Madagascar is not found anywhere else on Earth. But, in the past 20 years, the forest area decreased by 30 percent and the rate is still growing. Their ecosystems are being destroyed by logging, burning for subsistence farms, and poaching. If nothing is done to save the island, its forests and unique inhabitants will likely be gone in 35 years.
Read More, Best and Beautiful Natural Wonders of the World
These are the Best places to visit before they disappear. If you haven’t visited these places yet, do visit once before they get disappear. Nature always amazed humans. There are thousands of miracles in this world and watching them with your own eyes is really a breathtaking experince.
