The Devastating Effects of Ignoring Protection of Cultural Heritage Essay: An Urgent Plea for Action
Cultural heritage encompasses all aspects of an individual’s or a community’s cultural identity. It is a way of life, customs, traditions, language, arts, and literature, which tells the story of civilization’s evolution, growth, and struggles. Cultural heritage is therefore vital to a community’s identity and its social, economic, and spiritual well-being. However, cultural heritage is under threat globally due to various reasons such as war, natural disasters, urbanization, tourism, and looting. The result of ignoring the protection of cultural heritage has devastating effects that require urgent action.
The impact of ignoring protection of cultural heritage is felt globally, and the consequences are severe. For example, during the Iraq War in 2003, the National Museum of Iraq was looted, resulting in the loss of over 15 thousand artifacts and priceless historical objects. Furthermore, in 2015, ISIS destroyed the Temple of Bel, Palmyra in Syria, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, causing global outrage. It is estimated that over 900 monuments and historical sites in Syria have been either partially or completely destroyed by the ongoing conflict. These examples show that ignoring protection of cultural heritage results in the loss of our shared global heritage, which has taken generations to preserve.
The devastating effects of ignoring protection of cultural heritage extend beyond the loss of historical objects. Cultural heritage often serves as a source of income for local communities. For example, tourism is a significant contributor to the economy of many countries worldwide. Cultural heritage is often a significant tourist attraction, but its preservation often requires significant investment, both in time and resources. Furthermore, ignoring protection of cultural heritage often leads to environmental degradation, loss of biodiversity, and the displacement of local communities. These consequences can have severe social, economic, and political effects.
Addressing the critical issue of ignoring protection of cultural heritage calls for urgent action. Governments, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), and communities have a crucial role to play in ensuring that cultural heritage is preserved and protected from further destruction. UNESCO, for example, has been at the forefront of advocating for the protection of cultural heritage globally. The World Heritage Convention of 1972, adopted by UNESCO, is an international treaty that provides for the protection of cultural and natural heritage worldwide. States that ratify the treaty agree to protect natural and cultural sites of outstanding universal value for future generations.
In conclusion, ignoring the protection of cultural heritage has devastating effects that require urgent action. The loss of cultural heritage contributes to the loss of our global cultural identity, environmental degradation, and community displacement. Protecting cultural heritage requires collective action by governments, NGOs, and communities. Preserving cultural heritage not only safeguards our shared global history but also has significant social, economic, and political benefits. It is, therefore, an urgent plea for action to protect cultural heritage that is uniquely essential to our collective history.
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