Six World Heritage sites threatened by conflict and environmental pressures

Armed conflict, insecurity and environmental pressures are converging to threaten some of the world’s most treasured cultural and natural heritage. In regions where war has broken out, ancient cities and historic castles are being damaged by shelling, looting and neglect, while the loss of security hampers conservation work and the livelihoods of local communities that depend on tourism. Simultaneously, climate‑related stresses—drought, rising temperatures and altered rainfall patterns—are undermining the ecological conditions that sustain major wildlife migrations, such as the annual movement of millions of wildebeest across the Serengeti and Maasai Mara.

The impact is already visible. In Syria, the UNESCO‑listed city of Palmyra has suffered repeated damage from artillery fire, and the surrounding archaeological sites have been left exposed to looters. In Eastern Europe, historic castles that once served as cultural landmarks are now abandoned or repurposed for military use, eroding their structural integrity. Across Africa, the Maasai Mara’s water sources are shrinking, forcing migratory herds to travel farther and increasing their vulnerability to poaching and disease. These developments illustrate how human conflict and environmental change can accelerate the degradation of heritage assets that have survived for millennia.

The convergence of conflict and environmental degradation demands a coordinated response that integrates heritage protection, conflict resolution and climate adaptation. International bodies, local governments and NGOs must work together to safeguard these irreplaceable sites and the ecosystems they support, ensuring that future generations can witness the cultural and natural wonders that define our shared history.