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Water Risks Threatening UNESCO Heritage Sites

A recent analysis reveals that 73% of all non-coastal UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including those in India, are experiencing significant water-related risks such as water stress, drought, and flooding from rivers or coastal areas. Alarmingly, 21% of these sites are grappling with the dual challenge of excessive water in one year and insufficient water in the next. This analysis, based on the Aqueduct data from the World Resources Institute, highlights several sites in India at high risk, including the Taj Mahal, Kaziranga National Park, the Western Ghats, the group of monuments at Mahabalipuram, and the Great Living Chola Temples. 

Read More: Taj Mahal Water Leakage: Water Dripping from the Dome, Repairs Expected in 6 Months

Approximately 40% of UNESCO sites are facing issues related to water stress and drought, while 33% and 4% are at risk from river and coastal flooding, respectively. Water-related challenges are impacting some of the world's most cherished locations. For instance, the Taj Mahal is suffering from water scarcity, which exacerbates pollution and depletes groundwater, both of which threaten the integrity of the mausoleum. In 2022, severe flooding forced Yellowstone National Park to close, incurring over $20 million in infrastructure repairs for its reopening. Water issues—whether drought, scarcity, pollution, or flooding—pose significant threats to many of the 1,200 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.  

It is estimated that by 2050, the global share of World Heritage Sites affected by high to extremely high levels of water stress will rise from 40% to 44%. The impact will be particularly severe in regions such as the Middle East and North Africa, parts of South Asia, and northern China, where extensive river regulation, dam construction, and upstream water diversion have exacerbated existing water stress.  

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