10 Places To Stay Before They Disappear

Dead Sea, Jordan

The Dead Sea is ‘dead’ because its extreme salinity means nothing lives in it. But it will very soon be even more ‘dead’ because it is evaporating at a rate of around a meter (three feet) a year.  Why such a steady and frightening decrease? It is very simple. Not enough water is entering the sea from the River Jordan. The river is used by Israel and, to a lesser extent, Jordan to provide water for irrigation purposes and so the flow is much reduced. If things do not change, this entirely unique area will be destroyed. Even if it does mean that the remains of Sodom and Gomorrah (which, according to local legend, lie under the Dead Sea waters) become visible, it is not enough. If nothing is done,  there will be no Dead Sea at all by 2050. Tip and photo by leics.

Civita di Bagnoregio, Italy

Civita di Bagnoregio is a 2500 year old Etruscan town that was founded along an ancient Italian trading route. A violent earthquake in 1695 cut the town off from the neighboring town of Bagnoregio. Since that time the town has continued to have its limestone cliffs fall into the canyon below and to make matters worse, this jewel walled city atop a hill is only accessible via a long bridge for pedestrians only, which is unfortunately crumbling.  At the present rate of decay, it is uncertain how long the beautiful town will last. Tip and photo by TooTallFinn24.

The Omo Valley, Ethiopia

Not only is the Omo Valley the area where some of the earliest human ancestral remains were found (“Lucy”), it is also home to a number of nomadic tribes that are under extreme pressure from the modern world. The Mursi tribe and their lip plates are disappearing as the younger generations no longer do “lip cutting”.  The Karo, Hamar and Daasanach tribes are equally fascinating and equally at risk as they are kicked off their traditional lands by government actions in support of larg  e scale agribusiness. These people could be gone in a few years.  Already, they no longer have access to traditional materials like animal skins that they used for clothing just a decade or two ago.  Tip and photo by GrumpyDiver.

Tribal Areas of Aruanchal Pradesh, India

One does not typically think of India as a tribal country, but the extreme north-eastern part of the country has more tribes than any other place in the world. The most well-known might be the Apitani Tribe of the Hiro Valley. Here the older women, in their 50’s and 60’s, still have the facial tattoos and nose plugs that were part of their culture. This custom is no longer practiced, so when these women pass, this cultural relic will be gone.  Tip and photo byGrumpyDiver.

Wildlife on Borneo, Malaysia

Palm oil plantation proliferation threatens two significant species in Borneo:  both the orangutan and Borneo Pigmy Elephant are seeing their habitat eroded. While protective laws exist, enforcement is weak and their environment keeps shrinking.  Mammals of this size require large areas to find sufficient food and forest area for survival.   It is estimated that only 1,500 exist today.  Tip and photo by GrumpyDiver.

The Amazon, Peru

The modern world is encroaching into some of the more remote places up the Amazon River. While education and modern medicine can be viewed as positives, some aspects of agriculture and forestry are definitely threatening the tribal areas as well as the wildlife in this part of the world.  Tip and photo by GrumpyDiver.

Aseki Smoked Bodies of Papua New Guinea

For the last several hundred years, the Anga tribe of the Morobe Province Highlands have been the only tribe to practice a form of mummification that involves smoking the bodies.  The smoked bodies, an honor reserved only for village warriors, are not interred in a coffin or other form of sealed tomb but are rather mounted in wooden frames and placed on the cliff.   From this vantage position the former warriors watch over, guard and protect the present day villagers, some 300 metres below. The custom is practiced less and less and because of natural circumstances like weather, there may not be an opportunity to see this interesting practice in the near future. Tip and photo by wabat.

Maldives

The Maldives is sinking.  This beautiful island nation with crystal clear water and white sandy beaches is sinking due to a combination of rising sea levels and surface erosion.  The current average height of the islands is just four feet above sea level and it is projected that a rise of just seven inches could make the Maldives unlivable.  Known for some of the best scuba diving and snorkeling in the world, those looking to enjoy this luxurious vacation spot better hurry as extreme climate shifts could cause this wonderful home to 400,000 to disappear.  Tip and photo by VT members.

Makli Historical Monument, Thatta, Pakistan

Makli is one of world’s largest necropolises with more than 100,000 graves.  A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it dates back 600 to 700 years and is well preserved given its age.  Many fear because of the site’s elaborate decorations it is in threat of thieves.  Additionally, rising water levels has scientists believing that it may be flooded by 2060.  Tip by besal, photo byBokhari76.

S’Gang Gwaii, Gwaii Haanas National Park, British Columbia, Canada

Just off the coast of British Columbia, Canada, north of Vancouver Island, is the abandoned village of S’Gang Gwaii, which is now a UNESCO World Heritage site.   Although it hasn’t been occupied since 1880, this village is an illustration of the way of life for the Haida people.  Today, some remains of totem poles and roof beams are intact, while others have already fallen.  Many have already deteriorated and will no longer be around in just a few generations. Tip and photo by GrumpyDiver.