Philippines' rice terraces no longer endangered
28th June 2012
The iconic 2000-year-old rice terraces have been taken off the UN's list of endangered heritage sites
Yesterday, the UN office in Manila announced the country's world-famous fields had been removed from the list. The rice terraces, which are still in use today, joined the list in 2001, at the Philippine government's request to rally local and international aid, and for better management of the icon's preservation.
In a statement the UN information office said: “Both actions were successfully undertaken, leading to the conservation of the remote high rice fields.”
The rice terraces were named a UNESCO world heritage site in 1995, with the organisation stating there was a need to preserve the ancient tradition. The sites remain the only form of stone construction from before the pre-colonial period in the country. Described as an “outstanding cultural landscape”, traditions of how the fields are maintained is passed from generation to generation through local rituals.
Found in the Cordilleras, the fields attract thousands of tourists a year and the locals think the figures will keep rising. The mayor of Banaue town, where two terraces are located, said they expect visitor numbers to rise by 30%.
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