Ever heard of doom tourism? This trend involves traveling to threatened destinations. These five
natural wonders are endangered because of
pollution, climate change, and development.
Visit them before they are gone.
Maldives
This popular tourist destination is an archipelago of 1190 coral islands that are known for their stunning beaches and scuba diving. However, it is also the lowest-lying country on earth – the islands are only a few feet above sea level. This makes them the most vulnerable to the rise in sea levels caused by climate change.
Majuli Island
The largest river island in India is located on the Brahmaputra in Assam. The pretty green wetland attracts migratory birds every winter. It’s also famous for its 36 satras, or Vaishanva monasteries that have their own unique traditions and festivals. However, Majuli has been shrinking every year due to soil erosion caused by the strong currents of the Brahmaputra.
The Dead Sea
The only place on earth where you can float without knowing how to swim, the Dead Sea is actually a lake. Its water is ten times more saline than seawater, and is believed to contain healing minerals. In the last 40 years, it has shrunk by a third and sunk 80 feet, due to diversion of water from River Jordan, its only source of fresh water.
Mount Kilimanjaro
The highest mountain in Africa is a dormant volcano that’s famous for its distinctive ice-capped summit. A popular trekking spot, its peak offers stunning views of the surrounding plains. Over the last century, its glaciers have shrunk by more than 80 percent and are likely to disappear completely in the next few decades.
The Arctic
The North Pole is known for its bleak yet stunning landscape of gigantic icebergs, polar bears, and the northern lights. However, rising temperatures and the melting of ice sheets pose a threat to the emperor penguins. It also affects the delicate ecosysystem, and subsequently, the polar bear population in the region.
