Rapid development, increased tourism numbers and the lack of local-owned business are some of the critical threats to Angkor and Siem Reap, says a recent report by the Global Heritage Fund.
Angkor Wat under threat
Phnom Penh Post, 17 October 2010
Saving our Vanishing Heritage
Global Heritage Fund
An international heritage conservancy has warned that the Angkor Wat temple complex faces “critical†threats in the form of heavy traffic and inefficient conservation techniques.
A report released by the Global Heritage Fund also said the fact that many tourism-related businesses were foreign-owned made it difficult for Siem Reap residents to benefit economically from the temples.
“Hundreds of thousands of visitors climb over the ruins of Angkor every year causing heavy deterioration of original Khmer stonework,†says the report, which is titled “Saving Our Heritage: Safeguarding Cultural Sites Around the Worldâ€.
