John Stubbs, vice president of the World Monuments Fund, addresses visitors at the Bakheng monument in the Angkor archaeological park in Siem Reap province, 230 kilometers (143 miles) northwest of the capital Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Monday, June 5, 2006. The New York-based archaeological group on Monday appealed for more fund for restoration work to prevent further deterioration of the Bakheng temple built in the early 10th century on top of a hill about 65 meters (213 feet) above the ground. It is very popular among tourists, who climb it daily to get a glimpse of the spectacular view of the sunset. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)
A group of officials representing Cambodia's donors tour the site of Bakheng monument in the Angkor archaeological park in Siem Reap province, 230 kilometers (143 miles) northwest of the capital Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Monday, June 5, 2006. The World Monuments Fund, the New York-based archaeological group on Monday appealed for more fund for restoration work to prevent further deterioration of the Bakheng temple built in the early 10th century on top of a hill about 65 meters (213 feet) above the ground. It is very popular among tourists, who climb it daily to get a glimpse of the spectacular view of the sunset. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)By Guy De Launey
BBC News, Phnom Penh
One of the world's leading conservation experts has warned that more funds are needed to conserve the Angkor temples in Cambodia.
John Stubbs, of the World Monuments Fund (WMF), said one major temple, Phnom Bakheng, is at risk of collapse because of rapidly increasing visitor numbers.
Experts from around the world are meeting in the Cambodian town of Siem Reap to discuss the preservation of the ancient structures.
A frenzied atmosphere descends on Phnom Bakheng - one of the most popular sites at Angkor - as evening approaches.
Everyday, as many as 3,000 people climb the temple to watch the sun set.
But those numbers are taking a heavy toll on the ancient buildings. The temple and the hill it sits on are crumbling away.
Calls for change
The WMF has been working to shore up the structure. John Stubbs, its vice-president, said tourists have seen Phnom Bakheng as little more than a viewing platform. Now he is hoping to educate visitors about the temple's significance.
"People are climbing it not really knowing where they are. There's no interpretation of the site, no guided tours to explain the enormous importance of Phnom Bakheng. All of this is lost on the modern visitor who scrambles up at 4 o'clock to see that sunset, take that picture and scramble down," he said.
Conservation experts are calling on tour companies to change their itineraries to reduce the pressure on key sites.
But the WMF says it may be necessary to close Phnom Bakheng to visitors while it is restored.
The Angkor temple complex welcomed more than a million visitors last year, and numbers are set to increase as tourism becomes Cambodia's leading industry.
Conservation efforts will have to be balanced with the economic need to exploit the country's heritage.
John Stubbs, of the World Monuments Fund (WMF), said one major temple, Phnom Bakheng, is at risk of collapse because of rapidly increasing visitor numbers.
Experts from around the world are meeting in the Cambodian town of Siem Reap to discuss the preservation of the ancient structures.
A frenzied atmosphere descends on Phnom Bakheng - one of the most popular sites at Angkor - as evening approaches.
Everyday, as many as 3,000 people climb the temple to watch the sun set.
But those numbers are taking a heavy toll on the ancient buildings. The temple and the hill it sits on are crumbling away.
Calls for change
The WMF has been working to shore up the structure. John Stubbs, its vice-president, said tourists have seen Phnom Bakheng as little more than a viewing platform. Now he is hoping to educate visitors about the temple's significance.
"People are climbing it not really knowing where they are. There's no interpretation of the site, no guided tours to explain the enormous importance of Phnom Bakheng. All of this is lost on the modern visitor who scrambles up at 4 o'clock to see that sunset, take that picture and scramble down," he said.
Conservation experts are calling on tour companies to change their itineraries to reduce the pressure on key sites.
But the WMF says it may be necessary to close Phnom Bakheng to visitors while it is restored.
The Angkor temple complex welcomed more than a million visitors last year, and numbers are set to increase as tourism becomes Cambodia's leading industry.
Conservation efforts will have to be balanced with the economic need to exploit the country's heritage.
2 comments:
UN should take over the tourist operation from SOKIMEX so tickets money would go to fix the temple instead of go to Hanoi-Viet Name!
Sokimex Company deserve to be burned down to the ground for destroying Cambodian heritage!
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