Cape York Makes it to World Heritage "Tentative" List. Here's Everything to Know

The UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List has recently had a new entrant, and it is part of Cape York Peninsula. However, the situation isn’t as clear as it seems, as what many would see as a coup, might have both negative and positive consequences.

The decision was in development for years. It was announced by Queensland and federal environment officials in Cairns.

The Cape York Peninsula attracts over 150,000 tourists every year. The area is popular for its rugged national parks, beautiful beaches, waterways, rock art, and indigenous culture.

Tanya Plibersek, the Federal Environment Minister expressed that the Cape is the region where there are animal and plant species that weren't found anywhere else in the world. It also had so many years of culture that needed to be protected.

She further said that listing the place would not alter the present-day land tenure. However, if there is development, globally important values need to be respected.

Does this listing hold importance? Well, yes. Listing is seen as a symbol of natural and cultural significance. This brings tourism dollars. However, experts are of the view that this can actually lead to the degradation of sacred and historic sites. This would ultimately lead to over-tourism.

Six other sites

There are a total of six other sites that the federal government has endorsed to be included in the list. These are:
- The Worker’s Assembly Halls. These would include the Broken Hill and the Trades Hill.

- The Flinders Ranges in the South Australia

- The Parramatta Female Factory.

- A Western Australia Peninsula that comprises more than a million rock art paintings.

- Gondwana Rainforest are extension

- Fraser Island World Heritage Area extension comprising the Cooloola section, Great Sandy National Park

Can listing be a problem?

There are many international cities that are trying hard to achieve this balance as cited by Jon Day, the World Heritage expert Adjunct Professor. He expressed that it can be the worst thing for tourism. He further said that problems could be created in case there weren’t many resources to deal with the tourists. Thus, restrictions could be required.

For instance, Venice now introduces restrictions for tourists as an excessive number of tourists was actually straining the infrastructure. 

 A World Heritage listing, in the opinion of Mr. Day, acts like a magnet to people and attracts them. People believe that since a region makes it to the World Heritage list, that area must be impressive. Therefore, the influx of tourists increases.

However, not everything is bad. In case a listing is well-managed, it can offer greater benefits. They create huge money and job opportunities.