Travel

50 Amazing Destinations That Might Soon Change Forever (PHOTOS)

The world around us is constantly changing: buildings are built and destroyed while cities expand as the population grows, and the climate affects ecosystems, shore lines and glaciers across the planet. Many of our favorite travel destinations, from the Taj Mahal to the Galapagos Islands, are also changing every day - and some might even disappear altogether. Some monuments are falling into disrepair, damaged by conflict or even purposely destroyed, such as the Bamiyan Valley giant Buddha statues that were destroyed by the Taliban in 2001. Other places are threatened by poaching, illegal logging, climate change, economic development and even tourism itself.

(MORE: Most Stunning Natural Wonder in Every State)

The Taj Mahal is perhaps one of the most iconic monuments in the world, attracting hoards of tourists each year. However, since the 1970s, pollution has been discoloring the monument’s walls and tourists have been eroding and damaging the structure’s exterior. UNESCO and several other tourism organizations have urged the site officials to close its doors to up-close visitors within the next five years, reports the Examiner. But the Taj Mahal isn’t the only monument being damaged by the sheer number of visitors it welcomes each day - Petra’s red sandstone paths and carved buildings are also being worn down by the increased foot traffic.

Climate change is one of the main culprits altering the landscape and ecosystem of several places around the world. For example, scientists worry that even a modest increase in temperature could alter the ecosystem of Costa Rica’s Monteverde Cloud Forests. Meanwhile several low-lying islands, such as Tuvalu and the Maldives, are under immediate threat from rising sea levels. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate change says that the Maldives could become unlivable if water rises just seven inches. In 2009, President Mohamed Nasheed and his ministers held an underwater cabinet meeting to highlight their concerns about their “sinking” nation.

(MORE: 50 Incredible Island Escapes)

Wine regions, including Portugal and Australia, might also be in trouble as world temperatures rise. While warm weather has sometimes been very good for wine, this may not remain true as the world continues to warm. According to climatologists, climate change could make it more difficult and expensive to produce wine in certain regions, notably in Australia. It is predicted that temperature in the country’s primary wine regions will increase by up to three degrees over the next decade-and-a-half, according to VICE news. This temperature increase could dry out the crops and hinder wine production.

Climate change is also affecting wildlife destinations. For example, every year polar bears gather in the headlands overlooking the Hudson Bay in Manitoba, Canada, as they wait for the bay to ice over. There are an estimated 935 of these bears living in the region, which is why Churchill is widely known as ‘the Polar Bear Capital of the World.’ There are many tour groups operating in the area offering tourists safe ways to see the wild, white carnivores. However, scientists have observed a decline in the animals’ health in recent years, and the species has already shown signs of being affected by the continuous melting of the arctic sea ice.

(MORE: 50 Ultimate Travel Destinations for Animal Lovers)

Human development can also be a culprit. The Dead Sea has long been a popular destination for travelers looking for a spa treatment, but lately it has been drying up, leaving behind dangerous sinkholes and damaged habitats. According to Slate, the sea’s water levels are dropping because an increasing number of people and industries have been drawn to the area and because Jordan, Israel, Syria, Lebanon and the Palestinian territories have been diverting water from the Dead Sea for irrigation and to extract minerals.

From Mt Kilimanjaro, to the Everglades, to Madagascar, click on the slideshow above to see 50 amazing places that are all poised to undergo major upheavals in the coming years. Will you get to see them all before it’s too late?

(For More Travel, Follow us on Facebook)